I thought especially about that last point over the last few months, for, believe it or not, a new question now rolls off our tongues at every chance encounter: "So, what are your future plans?"

While some of us can provide quick short-term replies such as "medical school" or "Wall Street," for many of us, even this question poses a complex dilemma. We are still striving to unite our different interests into a coherent whole.

As you think about where you came from, where you are headed and even who you want to be, remember that Harvard taught us we can be multi-dimensional. We can be both musicians and scientists. Both Indian and American. And our greatest strength may come from uniting these disparate elements in our minds.

Although we may lose touch with each other over the years, let us resolve never to lose touch of the dreams and ideas that we shared and built together over the last four years.

Although we may be perpetually busy, let us promise always to lend a steady hand, a patient ear or our time to those in need.

Although you may reach great heights, always remember the journey and those who shared it along the way. Although we may forget names and faces, let us always remember the lessons we taught each other.

And, although we may be separated by nations or physical boundaries, let us remember that we will always be united by the common vision and dreams we shared in the Harvard we called home.

Amita M. Shukla '98, a biochemistry concentrator in Winthrop House, was a senior editor of The Crimson in 1997.