The Spark Within

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 stands out

The impactful beginning

— Sandeepan Choudhury,
BA-Liberal Arts, SBUP’s School of Liberal Arts

The first week at Sri Balaji University, Pune (SBUP), was nothing short of transformation. Through the UG student induction programme, Deeksharambh, I was introduced not just to the campus, but to a new way of thinking. The sessions of experienced business leaders and industry veterans conducted here, gave me insights that textbooks alone could never offer. Their stories, advice and journeys, helped me shift my mindset from that of just a student to a future professional.

One of the most unique experiences was the traditional dress competition on the very first day. It wasn’t just about wearing cultural attire, it was about embracing diversity, unity and confidence. Walking into an auditorium filled with colours, traditions and smiling faces, was a surreal experience.

What stood out most, however, was the warmth and support I received from faculty members and fellow students. Whether it was helping each other find our way around the campus or cheering each other during activities, there was an instant sense of community

The Deeksharambh programme didn’t just mark the beginning of my college life; it sparked inspiration, created bonds and built the foundation for a journey I am genuinely excited about. If the first week was this impactful, I can’t wait to see what the rest of the year will bring.

Stay Curious, Stay Grounded

— Sanskar Gupta,
MBA-Marketing, Balaji Institute of Technology and Management (BITM)

I wasn’t a car geek, not even close. Walking into B.U. Bhandari Mercedes-Benz as an MBA marketing intern, I had zero technical knowledge. Surrounded by interns who could name engine types in their sleep, I felt outpaced. But, instead of hiding, I leaned in and I asked questions. I took every research task I could find and I sat with service teams, sales pros, and soaked in the brand like a sponge.

Every night, I learnt MS Excel. Every morning, I arrived with one goal—to earn my spot. And, it paid off. In weeks, I built competitive analysis decks of Mercedes vs. BMW vs. Audi for comparisons, and created Excel tools, the sales team actually used. I went from the intern who didn’t “get” cars, to the only intern presenting to senior managers, with my work praised and implemented. That was my moment.

Mercedes didn’t just teach me about cars—it taught me how excellence is engineered. Every detail, every interaction, every impression matters, and so do you, if you show up like you mean it.

Stay curious, stay grounded, and never waste your shot, is what I believe in. I started invisible—I left as the standout intern. That’s not luck—that’s showing up with intent.

Real-world Dos and Don’ts:

Dos:

• Take the initiative before you're told. Create value, don’t wait for it.
• Learn the business behind the brand, not just tasks.
• Respect every role—from janitor to GM. Culture is built by behaviour.
• Observe what others ignore. Growth hides unnoticed.

Don'ts:

• Don’t stick to your job description. Real learning lies outside of it.
• Don’t just network, build relationships through action.
• Don’t treat it like a college project. This is a real-world business.

Changing Cities to Changing Mindsets

— Rishabh Sharma,
MBA- Marketing, President, Student Council, BITM

Being an army kid was hard, it meant regularly shifting between cities, schools, and bidding goodbye to different faces. I didn't find it easy to restart my life; every time I had to, but I think that is what made me strong at an early age. Whether it was finding friends outside of home or learning to embrace change at all times, I had the learning of a lifetime without even knowing it.

In the year 2019, after my B.Com, I undertook a bold step and began to prepare for UPSC. I did not clear it, but that preparation gave me a strong moral and made me see things in a much broader way in respect to governance of India, Indian economy and Indian society. This was not a wasted year, this was the base of my support and my starting point.

To strengthen my academic foundations, I did M.Com in 2020-2022, and then got a corporate internship with PATTERNS LLC and got exposed to how the real businesses work. However, deep in my heart, I knew that I always wanted more— not only a job, but a career. This is where I made the decision that I will pursue an MBA. Today, I am a proud President of the Student Council at BITM,where I have the opportunity to not only lead, but also to listen and unite people. This is not limited to events or logistical solutions, it is about voicing, making a difference and becoming a better leader.

During my summer internship at Calvin Klein at Alpha Mall, Ahmedabad, I was working directly in the store itself, gaining firsthand knowledge of how luxury retailing operates. The experience of dealing with customers, analysing the situation in the store, and being on a par with the positioning of this brand, as the best one assisted me in observing how powerful customer experience creates loyal customers to the brand.

Along with my academic life, I began to create my own brand 'TilluTales', a fashion project, targeting the youth of India. We are not talking about selling clothes; we are talking about shaping a lifestyle that is fashionable and aware. It is something that I am learning day by day, through digital marketing and collaborating with industry experts. And, I want to build something that can stand out in a very crowded market.

My experience can hardly be called linear. But, all these digressions—UPSC preparation to the retailing floors, and home shifts to the emergence of TilluTales, have shaped me to what I am today. A student, a builder and above all a never say never person.

Now, when I think of the future—I just want to grow, to create, and lead with a purpose.

Encouraging campus environment

— Disha Chauhan,
MBA-PM and HRD, Balaji Institute of Modern Management (BIMM)

Getting the opportunity to introduce Sumit Premi, an industry leader and a proud alumnus of our very own SBUP, was truly an unforgettable experience for me. Standing in front of a packed auditorium, with all eyes on me, I was definitely nervous at first. But, as soon as I began speaking, everything just flowed. I felt confident, and most importantly I enjoyed every second of it.

What really helped me stay calm and prepared was the constant support of my professors. They patiently listened to all our doubts, always with a warm, reassuring smile. One thing they said stayed with me, “If anything goes wrong, I’ll take the responsibility. But, if everything goes right, the credit is all yours and your parents”. That one sentence gave me all the confidence I needed.

I'm especially thankful to my teachers for selecting me for this opportunity. Their trust truly meant a lot. The appreciation I received after the event, from classmates and even fellow students I hadn’t interacted with before, was heartwarming. It reminded me how encouraging and supportive our campus environment truly is.