Growing through OPPORTUNITIES

"Our new column Students’ Katta is an informal collage of campus stories, where learners have taken extraordinary initiatives and left lasting impressions. From big celebrations to gatherings, student-led initiatives, transformational leadership—their dedication and passion truly stand out"

Learning by doing

- Pradnya Jadhav,
MBA – Marketing, Balaji Institute of Modern Management (BIMM), SBUP

Here at Sri Balaji University, Pune (SBUP), students not only learn lessons in classrooms, but also practice it in real world. Since I have joined SBUP, several opportunities came my way and these are helping me build myself. Opportunities are everywhere, you just have to grab it. I have been a part of Arambh-II, the National Level Entrepreneurship Competition 2025, Global ESG Conclave 2025, a national seminar on Vision Viksit Bharat@2047 and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti’s dhol tasha pathak event. All these events shaped me into who I am today.

As a coordinator at the Global ESG Conclave, I had the privilege of playing a key role in collaboration with the Confederation of NGOs of Rural India (CNRI) and World Cooperation Economic Forum (WCopEF). The event was graced by Ramdas Athawale, Minister of State, Social Justice and Empowerment, GoI, who announced visionary initiatives, including 500 cooperative startups and campus cooperatives. I took immense pride in welcoming esteemed guests in traditional attire, a cherished ritual at SBUP. As part of the core organising team, I oversaw hospitality, stage management and panellists’ coordination— ensuring a seamless experience for all attendees.

Additionally, I contributed to the national level seminar "Vision Viksit Bharat@2047: Digital Public Infrastructure for Smart Cities", organised in association with Pimpri Chinchwad Smart City Limited and Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR). As a track in charge of Arambh Season II, I coordinated with participants who came from different corners of India. Their innovative ideas inspired me to take a step towards entrepreneurship. Through dhol tasha pathak, I revisited my traditional roots, connected with history and culture and made lots of friends.

Through these experiences, I have sharpened my management skills and shaped 360° thinking. These events were more than just responsibilities; they were a testament to my passion for creating meaningful impact in others' lives too.

From campus to corporate

- Saloni Makvana,
MBA- Finance, BIMM, SBUP

My MBA journey has been nothing short of a transformative rollercoaster ride. When I first stepped into SBUP campus, I wondered how I would navigate these two years. However, time flew by, filled with enriching experiences, opportunities and challenges, that shaped me into the person I am today.

In my first semester, I had the privilege of serving as the ‘Master of Ceremony (MoC)’ for a major event, where I interacted with corporate leaders and gained invaluable insights. By the second semester, I was appointed as the ‘Discipline Coordinator’ of my class, an honour given only to the top-performing students. This role helped me develop leadership and organisational skills.

One of the biggest highlights of my journey at SBUP was representing BIMM at the India Mobile Congress (IMC) held at Pragati Maidan, Delhi. Our institution was the only academic partner, providing me with a first-hand experience of industry advancements. In my third semester, I secured the highest placement in my batch at Deutsche Bank, marking a milestone in my career.

The state-of-the-art facilities at SBUP, industry-driven learning, and AI-based value-added courses in my final semester have equipped me with real-world corporate insights. From Aiyaswamy sessions to Drishti events, every experience has contributed to my growth. Additionally, being a part of the organising team of TEDx event at SBUP and managing Srujan Entrepreneurship Development Incubation Centre (EDIC)’s Arambh-II gave me a platform to hone my event management skills, while working with global leaders and innovators.

Looking back, my MBA journey has been a blend of challenges and achievements, shaping me into a confident, corporate-ready professional.

Setback is an opportunity to get back stronger

- Hari Makharia,
MBA – Marketing, BIMM, SBUP

Aperson inclined to be with nature—the motivation lies in living a life while staying deeply connected with Mother Earth. But, the path is not smooth always—I had a knee injury that didn’t allow me to get back to my ridge. Sooner or later , setback welcomes get back. During my MBA first year, I participated in the college event “Drishti”, and I bagged second position in free style swimming in 25 seconds.

The holistic development is equally important with rigorous academics. The notorious child in you should be young enough to fetch time for self-growth.

The opportunities do not walk towards you; you should create an opportunity for yourself. I believe that’s what is the flavour of MBA—watering the plant and making it a tree.

Tree reflects you, The branches hold your knowledge, The roots bind your strength, The leaf reflects your confidence, and the stem shows your progress. A tree blends green and stronger, and shades when it’s time to re-grow again! Nothing feels better than moving with the fast pace time in order to nurture, grow, learn, and fly beyond the limits.

My transformative journey

- Rishika Patidar,
MBA – Marketing, BIMM, SBUP

My two years of MBA journey has been nothing short of extraordinary, shaping me both personally and professionally. From the very beginning at SBUP, I consistently strived for excellence, earning the position of class representative and maintaining my academic standing as a top performer.

One of the most significant milestones in my journey was being selected for the prestigious SAP certification in my second semester, an opportunity provided by the University at no cost. This certification not only deepened my technical expertise but also paved the way for my placement as a SAP Consultant at Deloitte.

Beyond academics, I actively contributed to the Corporate Relations Team (CRT), where I had the privilege of interacting with industry leaders and HR professionals. Engaging with top recruiters refined my communication and networking skills, while coordinating placement processes honed my leadership abilities. CRT also offered the unique advantage of securing two placement offers, and I made the most of it by earning selections at both companies, Pattern and Deloitte.

Every experience, whether academic, extracurricular or professional, has played a crucial role in my holistic development. I carry forward these invaluable lessons, ready to make an impact in the corporate world.