At the recent ‘Deeksharambh 2026’ orientation programme at Alard University, Pune, a panel of distinguished experts imparted invaluable career lessons and life advice to the newly admitted students, emphasizing holistic development beyond academic pursuits. The event, meticulously organized under the sagacious guidance of Dr. L. R. Yadav, the esteemed Founder-President and Chancellor of Alard University, Pune, served as a foundational platform for students embarking on their higher education journey.
Dr. Deepak Shikarpur, a prominent figure in the IT sector, graced the occasion as the chief guest, delivering a powerful message about the intrinsic link between passion and professional excellence. He asserted that a degree should not be the sole focus; rather, students must endeavor to pinpoint their true passions and strategically align them with their chosen professions. Dr. Shikarpur eloquently articulated his formula, “Passion plus Profession equals Excellence,” a principle he illustrated by recounting the inspiring career trajectory of renowned singer Shankar Mahadevan. Despite possessing an engineering degree from 1987, Mahadevan famously pivoted to music, a field where his innate passion propelled him to extraordinary success. This narrative underscored the critical importance of self-discovery and pursuing one’s genuine interests over succumbing to external societal pressures. Further reinforcing his point, Dr. Shikarpur referenced legends like Lata Mangeshkar and Sachin Tendulkar, highlighting how sustained effort in a field one is deeply passionate about invariably leads to unparalleled achievement. He further advised students to dream ambitiously, but crucially, to translate those dreams into concrete actions. While a degree marks the commencement of a career, he stressed the indispensable role of communication skills, technical proficiency, and proficiency in foreign languages as pivotal elements for future career advancement.
Dr. Milind Kaulgikar, General Manager at Vodafone Shared Services India, brought a contemporary perspective to the discussion, emphasizing the dynamic landscape of technology. He urged students to embrace continuous learning, particularly in rapidly evolving fields such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data technologies. Dr. Kaulgikar cautioned against excessive engagement with mobile phones and superficial digital content, instead encouraging students to delve into the creative processes behind such innovations. He underscored the burgeoning opportunities and concurrent challenges within the data sector, advising students to leverage their inherent strengths, cultivate expertise in their chosen domains, and not be deterred by perceived weaknesses.
Ashish Banka, Vice-President at Algoworks, shared a deeply personal narrative, attributing his foundational drive for financial independence to the wisdom imparted by his grandmother during his formative years. His address championed the significance of personal well-being, advocating for consistent effort devoid of the pitfalls of comparison and cutthroat competition. Mr. Banka emphasized the profound impact of seeking mentorship from appropriate guides and demonstrating unwavering respect towards parents. He courageously shared his own journey of resilience, recounting how, after leaving a government position in 2011 to enter the HR sector, he faced 48 interviews over four months before securing his first job in Kolkata. This testament to perseverance, culminating in his subsequent collaborations with global entities like Qatar Airways, Reliance, Tata, and OpenAI, powerfully conveyed the irrefutable truth that success is an earned outcome of dedicated hard work. He passionately advocated for embracing failure not as an endpoint, but as a valuable opportunity for self-reassessment and profound learning.
Dr. Sohan Chitalange, Vice-Chancellor of Alard University, elucidated the core tenets upon which the university operates, encapsulated in its five pillars: “Attitude, Leadership, Alertness, Readiness, and Dedication.” He passionately advocated for the paramount importance of research, describing it as the indispensable next step in the trajectory of progress. Furthermore, he highlighted networking as the undeniable key to unlocking genuine success. Dr. Chitalange underscored that discipline, unwavering hard work, active participation, and foresight are not merely desirable traits but essential qualities for navigating the path to success in life. He concluded by asserting that by internalizing and integrating these qualities into their daily lives, every student at Alard University possesses the potential to steadfastly advance towards their aspirations.
The comprehensive orientation program, skillfully compered by Prabhanjan Nalawade, commenced with insightful introductory remarks from Prof. Dr. Manisha Bhende, while Prof. Ganesh Shitole delivered the vote of thanks, bringing a fitting close to an enlightening and inspiring event designed to equip new students with not just academic guidance, but also crucial life and career lessons.
