Dreams in Progress

An informal collage of campus stories where learners take extraordinary initiatives and leave lasting impressions. From grand celebrations to friendly gatherings, student-led projects to transformational leadership—their dedication and passion truly stand out

Triumph at Technoxian World Robotics Championship

— Aniket Salunkhe
MBA, Balaj Institute of Modern Management (BIMM)

I recently achieved a major milestone by winning Gold in the 30 kg Robowars category and Bronze in the 60 kg Robowars category at the Technoxian World Robotics Championship 2025. Technoxian, supported by All India Council of Robotics (AICRA) and Government of India, is one of the world’s largest and most prestigious robotics competitions, bringing together teams from over 50 countries. Competing and winning at this global platform has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my robotics journey.

My interest in robotics began in 2020, driven by curiosity and a passion for building machines. This passion led to my first breakthrough in 2022, when I won the Gold Medal in Robosoccer at Technoxian, marking the beginning of my competitive robotics career. Over the years, I have led my home team, Team Jaguar, to exceptional success, winning 5+ robotics competitions, including titles at IITs (two) band NITs (three). These consistent achievements helped strengthen my technical skills, strategic thinking, and leadership abilities.

For Technoxian 2025, I had the honour of competing with Team Xenon, Indore, representing India on the global stage. Working with a national-level team provided immense exposure, collaboration, and advanced technical insights. Together, we engineered combat robots capable of delivering maximum power, endurance, and precision in the intense Robowars arena. Preparing for the championship required months of focused work—designing robust frames, optimising weapon mechanisms, and conducting repeated testing to ensure reliability under extreme conditions.

Winning Gold in 30 kg and Bronze in 60 kg was a moment of immense pride and a culmination of years of dedication and continuous learning. I am deeply grateful to my mentors, teammates, faculty, and SBUP for their constant support. I hope this achievement inspires future students to explore robotics and push the boundaries of innovation.

Trust the process

— Purvi Jajoo,
MBA, BIMM

My mother once said, “You should do anchoring in school.” At the time, I laughed it off—never imagining that one day, it would actually happen on TEDx stage. Right in the middle of my end-semester exams, I got a call to audition as the host for TEDx Sri Balaji University, Pune. Hosting TEDx had quietly been on my bucket list for years, but how am I supposed to manage exam prep and auditions at the same time? Not easy, still I went for it. A few days later, I got selected. What started as disbelief quickly turned into responsibility.

What came next was hectic but exciting— daily online meetings, multiple stage rehearsals, writing and refining my scripts, figuring out cues and transitions—it was all happening alongside exams. Sleeping barely three hours some nights, but every practice made me more confident and prepared for the stage.

On the day of the event I was nervous but excited. But, the schedule changed, speakers’ slots shuffled, and I had to improvise on the spot. It wasn’t easy, but all the rehearsals helped me stay calm, think fast, and keep the flow going.

When I finally walked on stage and heard the applause, every late night and stressful rehearsal suddenly made sense. Hosting TEDx SBUP wasn’t just about standing on a stage, it was about pushing myself, adapting, and trusting the process. I’m grateful to the almighty God, my mentors, and everyone who believed in me, this is one experience I’ll cherish for life.

My Data Science Journey

— Bhoomika Rani,
BCA, SBUP’s School of Computer Studies

Growth begins the moment you decide not to quit, even when the road feels unclear. Every meaningful journey begins with a decision—to believe in yourself before the results appear. In my second year of BCA, I chose Data Science as my specialisation because I was genuinely curious about data and its ability to shape decisions. I wasn’t an expert, and I didn’t have everything figured out, but I had the courage to choose learning over fear. That choice became the foundation of my growth.

The journey was challenging—understanding complex concepts, handling failures, and questioning my own abilities were part of the process. But, every struggle strengthened my mindset. Today, as a BCA student specialising in Data Science and currently in my 6th semester, I realise that progress is not about speed, it is about consistency.

A major milestone in my journey is my ongoing internship as a Data Analyst intern. This experience exposed me to the reality of working with data that is messy, incomplete and unpredictable. I learned that real learning happens outside comfort zones. Through data cleaning, analysis and deriving insights, I am developing not only technical skills but also confidence and problem-solving ability. Since my internship is still in progress, I see it as a phase of transformation rather than completion.

What motivates me most is understanding that success is built step by step. Every error teaches patience, every challenge builds resilience. Data science has taught me that growth is not about perfection, but about showing up every day and improving a little more than yesterday.

I am deeply grateful to all my faculty members and guides, whose guidance, encouragement, and belief have been constant sources of strength throughout my journey. Their mentorship has played a vital role in shaping my direction.

To every student reading this: don’t wait for the perfect moment. Choose curiosity, stay disciplined, and keep moving forward—even when the path is unclear. Your journey doesn’t need to be complete to be meaningful. Sometimes, the strongest motivation comes from simply refusing to stop.

Elevating life professionally and personally

— Aastha Jethliya,
MBA, Balaji Institute of Technology and Management

Being part of Sri Balaji University, Pune has given me opportunities beyond academics, especially through events that demanded responsibility, coordination, and leadership. One such experience was working with the organising team for TEDx, where I was actively involved in planning, coordination and execution. The experience taught me how large-scale events function behind the scenes—right from managing timelines to handling unexpected challenges. I learned the importance of teamwork, clear communication, and staying calm under pressure.

Another significant experience was participating in India Mobile Congress, 2025, New Delhi, which exposed me to a professional environment beyond campus. Interacting with diverse individuals, understanding industry expectations, and observing how ideas are presented and evaluated helped me develop confidence and professionalism. It pushed me to step out of my comfort zone and improve my interpersonal and networking skills.

Through these experiences, I noticed personal growth in areas like leadership, time management and adaptability. Handling multiple responsibilities simultaneously improved my decision-making skills and taught me how to prioritise tasks effectively. I also learnt the value of accountability—how individual efforts directly impact the success of a team.

Overall, these experiences have shaped my approach towards work and collaboration. They helped me understand real-world expectations and prepared me to handle responsibilities with confidence, clarity and a learning mindset.