symbiTalks_9_0

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Event Name: SymbiTalks 9.0

SymbiTalks 9.0, the highly anticipated ninth edition of our flagship event organized by the Corporate Interaction Cell at Symbiosis Institute of Business Management, Hyderabad, was an outstanding success. Centered around the theme "This is My Story - Crafting Legacies," the event honored personal journeys of triumph, resilience, and the creation of lasting legacies.

 

In previous editions, SymbiTalks has welcomed distinguished personalities such as Captain Ved Singh (Director, Darwinbox), Mr. Ramna Vadavalli (President, Randstad Offshore Services), Mr. Ajay Chennuri (General Manager, Wipro Technologies), Mr. Moses John Wesley Makam (Group Solution Leader, Wipro), Dr. Gautam Mukherjee (CEO, Sportify Asia), Mr. Anirban Mukherjee (Senior Executive – Talent Acquisition, Larsen & Toubro Infotech), and Mr. Naveen Mathur (CEO, Maithri Aquatech Pvt. Ltd.).

 

We began the first day of SymbiTalks 9.0 with an auspicious lamp lighting by Dr. K.P. Venugopala Rao, Director of SIBM Hyderabad along with Dr. Shyamsunder Chitta, Deputy Director, SIBM Hyderabad, Mr. M. Srinivas, Head- Student Welfare, Dr. Ridhi Rani, Assistant Professor and Incharge - Women Development and our guest speaker, Mr. Emmanuel Gosula, Senior Talent Development Manager at EPAM Systems, Dr. Madana Kumar, Co-Founder at Leadyne, Vice President -Leadership& Development at UST and Ms. Swati Gupta, Student Lead, Corporate Interaction Cell.

 

(Image: Ceremonial Lighting of the lamp by Dr. K.P. Venugopala Rao, Dr. Shayamsunder Chitta, Mr. M. Srinivas, Dr. Ridhi Rani and the distinguished dignitary present for the event Mr. Emmanuel Gosula and Dr. Madana Kumar)

SymbiTalks9.0beganwithDr. K.P. Venugopala Rao, Director of SIBM Hyderabad, delivering an inspiring speech. Through a series of compelling stories, he effectively captured the theme, "This is My Story - Crafting Legacies," highlighting the crucial role of resilience in shaping legacies. Dr. Rao's insights painted a vivid picture of how resilience influences individual journeys. Ms. Swati Gupta, Student Lead of the Corporate Interaction Cell, then offered a concise and heartfelt reflection on the successes of previous SymbiTalks editions.

 

(Image: Dr. K.P. Venugopala Rao giving a heartfelt commencement speech and (Right) Ms. Swati Gupta ,Head-Corporate Interaction Cell speaking about past editions of SymbiTalks.)

Mr. Emmanuel Gosula, Senior Talent Development Manager, EPAM Systems commenced Day 1 of the event with a compelling discourse on "My Eureka Moment" under the theme "This is My Story-Crafting Legacies." Mr. Emmanuel Gosula began by discussing the adversity quotient, advising against chasing superficial successes and emphasizing long-term ventures and cohesive teamwork. He highlighted the NHRD network's role in shaping his, career and reflected on an internship that expanded his networking and industry knowledge. He concluded by illustrating his journey from intern to leader, reinforcing his commitment to mentorship and giving back., leaving the audience enlightened and invigorated by the crucible of growth.

 

(Image: Mr. Emmanuel Gosula Speaking on “My Eureka Moment”)

 

The second speaker of the day was Dr. Madana Kumar, Co-Founder-Leadyne, Vice President & Global Head- Leadership Development, UST. In his enlightening speech on " Embrace Foundations, Build Legacy," Mr. Madana Kumar opens by challenging the value of "Resume Virtues," encouraging reflection on their true impact. He shares the story of Alfred Nobel to illustrate the power of transforming one's legacy from negative to positive. He then introduces the "SIP" model—Significance, Integrity, and People—as essential pillars for building a lasting legacy. Mr. Kumar concludes by urging the future leaders to embrace servant leadership, focusing on significance, integrity, and people, rather than simply pursuing success and profits.

 

Image: Mr. Madana Kumar speaking on “Embrace Foundations, Build Legacy”

 

We had the privilege of hosting the third speaker of the day, Ms. Heena Raval, Director, Google as a distinguished speaker at SymbiTalks 9.0. Ms. Raval shared three stories from her life, emphasizing self-awareness over having a clear vision. She believes that while it's okay not to know exactly what you want, it's crucial to understand what you don’t want. For her, success isn't just about making money but making a lasting impact. She also highlighted the importance of exploring one's identity beyond societal roles and focusing on what you can control. Balancing what energizes you with your responsibilities leads to a more fulfilling life.

Image: Mr. Heena Raval on “Beyond The Textbooks”

 

We were truly honored to host Ms. Shailaja Rao, an inspiring Founder,Director and Principal as the fourth speaker of the day. Through her talk on “Through my lens,” Ms. Shailaja Rao began by sharing her heartfelt journey of founding her school and the numerous challenges she faced along the way. She spoke with deep emotion about the struggles her students endured and how profoundly these experiences affected her. Driven by empathy, she crafted and implemented policies to address these issues, aiming to create a supportive and nurturing environment. Her story resonated deeply, reflecting her dedication to improving the lives of her students and leaving a lasting impact on all.

Image: Ms. Shailaja Rao being felicitated by Dr. Shyam Sunder Chiita

 

We had the privilege of hosting Mr. Siddharth Vishwanath, Talent Partner- Head, Ather Energy, as the fifth and final speaker at Day 1 of SymbiTalks 9.0. His captivating session on "The Curiosity Captor" left an indelible mark, He started by emphasizing that educational background doesn’t limit one’s potential, and goals can be achieved from any starting point. He noted that the idea of a "dream job" is personal and evolves based on individual values and experiences. He provided tips for creating a strong CV, stressed the importance of maintaining physical and mental health for success. He concluded by affirming that it’s never too late to pursue new interests or change career paths, inspiring the audience to embrace new opportunities and challenges with renewed confidence.

Image: Mr. Siddharth Vishwanath speaking on “The Curiosity Captor”

 

With this we concluded the first day of SymbiTalks 9.0.

Day 2 began with a captivating speech by Mr. Nicholas Daniel Ross, Head of Corporate Relations and MDP, who spoke about the power of storytelling. By sharing personal anecdotes, he introduced the event's theme and set the tone for a day focused on the art of storytelling.

Image: Mr. Nicholas Daniel Ross speaking about his experience with SymbiTalks

 

The first speaker of the day was Ms. Sangeetha C.R., Head- Corporate Communications at GMR Hyderabad International Airport Ltd. Ms. Sangeetha deeply engaged the audience with thought-provoking inquiries, and shared her personal journey of overcoming challenges and losses. In her address, the speaker noted that life doesn’t become easier or more forgiving; instead, we grow stronger and more resilient. She emphasized the crucial role of academics in this growth, particularly for women, who display remarkable endurance and time management skills in balancing multiple responsibilities with efficiency. She introduced the concept of the "The 25^th Hour" underscoring the importance of time management especially for women.

Image: Ms. Sangeetha C.R. speaking on “The 25th Hour”

The second speaker for the day, Mr. Vivek Raina, MD, Believe India and South Asia spoke on the topic of “Embrace Foundations, Build Legacy”, sharing his passion for the music industry he emphasized the value of embracing unexpected roles and challenges, reframing difficulties as opportunities for growth. Through his narrative, he underscored the significance of learning from personal experiences, especially in facing tough situations at work, and highlighted the transformative power of enduring hardships to gain invaluable life lessons and earn respect from others, leaving the audience with a fresh perspective on overcoming adversities.

Image: Mr. Vivek Raina speaking on “The Adversity Quotient”

In an engaging and humor-filled speech, Mr. Sunil Naik, Vice President and HR at DHL, captivated the audience with his presentation on "Leading with Laughter." Through a blend of effective storytelling and witty anecdotes, he demonstrated the transformative power of humor in leadership.

Mr. Naik illustrated how laughter can bridge gaps, ease tensions, and create a more inclusive and positive workplace environment. He shared practical examples of how humor has played a crucial role in building trust, enhancing team cohesion, and driving performance. By highlighting real-world scenarios and personal experiences, Mr. Naik conveyed that incorporating laughter into leadership not only makes the work environment more enjoyable but also boosts productivity and creativity. His talk underscored that a good sense of humor is not just a personal trait but also a strategic asset in effective leadership.

Image: Mr. Sunil Naik speaking on “Leading with laughter”

Asthe4thspeakeroftheday,Major General Ajay Sharma delivered a compelling speech on the topic of "Sangfroid." He emphasized the importance of maintaining a cool and composed demeanour, even amidst external turmoil. Drawing on military history, particularly World War II, he illustrated how courage under fire is not an innate talent but a result of practice and mindfulness. Major General Sharma debunked myths surrounding sangfroid, stressing that it is cultivated through continuous practice, self-evaluation, and learning. He also highlighted the role of mindfulness, role models, and best practices in developing this essential trait, which he views as crucial for effective leadership and navigating challenges with grace and effectiveness.

Image: Major General Ajay Sharma speaking on “Sangfroid”

Asthe5thspeakeroftheday,Dr. Md Arman, Head of the Department of Emergency Medicine and Trauma Care at Apollo Hospitals Group, delivered an inspiring speech on the topic "Sailing through Murky Waters." He shared his journey of overcoming doubts and prejudice, recalling how many questioned his ability to become a doctor due to his average performance in school. Despite these challenges, Dr. Arman’s perseverance and diligence led him to defy expectations and achieve great success. In addition to his professional accomplishments, he has also made significant contributions to social work, showcasing his dedication to making a positive impact on society.

Image: Mr.Md Arman being felicitated by Dr. Shyam Sunder Chiita

Ardent Chats 3.0 made a triumphant return for its 3rd edition, spotlighting the theme "Strive to Shine." This highly anticipated segment, expertly hosted by Ms. Priya Iyengar, captivated the audience with its engaging discussions and thought-provoking insights. The session featured two distinguished speakers: Captain Sujata Pandey Sharma of the Indian Armed Forces and Mr. Amit Malik, India Country Lead IPLA and Head of Sports for Social Impact Initiatives at the Abhinav Bindra Foundation. Captain Sharma shared her inspiring journey of resilience and leadership, highlighting the challenges and triumphs of serving in the military, while Mr.Amit Malik offered a powerful perspective on the intersection of sports and social impact, illustrating how sports can drive societal change. The synergy between the speakers created a dynamic dialogue that left the audience inspired and motivated, making Ardent Chats 3.0 a memorable highlight of the event.

Image: Speakers engaging in a passionate conversation for Ardent Chats 3.0

Over the past two days, the students were deeply inspired and motivated by SymbiTalks 9.0. The event, filled with powerful stories and lessons, encouraged them to engage in introspection and reflect on their actions and goals. These impactful sessions left a lasting impression, driving the students to think critically about their personal and professional growth

Ms. Stuti Sanghamitra, Second in Command, Corporate Interaction Cell of SIBM Hyderabad, delivered a vote of thanks before calling the event to a close.