Corporate world rewards hard work, punishes lethargy, says V-C

Emphasising the importance of hard work and commitment, Vice-Chancellor of Sharnbasva University Anilkumar Bidve has said that the corporate world is “beautiful” for those who work diligently but “cruel” to the lethargic and indifferent.

He was speaking at the inaugural session of a seminar on “Balancing Integrity and Ambition: Navigating the Business Landscape – Campus to Corporate” at the Doddappa Appa Sabha Mantap on the university campus in Kalaburagi on Tuesday.

The event was jointly organised by the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, the Faculty of Engineering and Technology and The Hindu Group (THG).

“The corporate world is not cruel, as often projected, for those who work hard. It takes care of you and your family’s future by offering lucrative opportunities. If you are sincere, it rewards you well and if not, it can be unforgiving,” Prof. Bidve said.

Referring to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed minutes before the seminar between The Hindu Group and Sharnbasva University, Prof. Bidve commended the initiative as a crucial step in bridging the gap between academia and industry.

“When students step into the corporate world after graduation, they often feel ill-equipped to handle real-life challenges. This MoU is designed to plug that gap by providing training and skill-building to make students industry-ready,” he said and appreciated The Hindu Group for its commitment to student development through value-based education and professional engagement.

Vice-president (sales and distribution) of The Hindu Group Sridhar Aranala, Registrar of Sharnbasva University S.G. Dollegoudar, Regional General Manager of The Hindu Group (Hyderabad) S.D.T. Rao and Dean, Faculty of Social Science Sciences, T.V Sivanandan were among the dignitaries present in the inaugural session.

‘Integrity, ambition, action’

Following the inaugural session, Mr. Aranala delivered two inspiring special lectures – one for engineering students and the other for management students.

Speaking with energy and warmth, Mr. Aranala kept the young audience engaged throughout blending humour, real-world insight and relatable examples as he unpacked what it takes to thrive in today’s competitive corporate landscape.

He urged students to balance integrity with ambition, reminding them that success built on honesty and values stands the test of time.

“We often do things that are wrong or unjust simply because no one is watching. But your true character reveals itself when no one is there to watch you. Integrity means choosing honesty even when deception seems easier. It means aligning your actions with your values,” he said.

Encouraging students to draw inspiration from great minds like Rabindranath Tagore and A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, he said that reading about such leaders helps young professionals develop moral clarity and a sense of purpose.

Mr. Aranala also spoke passionately about the need to be proactive rather than waiting for instructions.

“Many people work only when told to. But growth happens when you take initiative. Just as you don’t wait for someone to tell you to eat or sleep, don’t wait for someone to tell you to do what is right,” he remarked.

Turning to the digital challenges of modern life, he cautioned students against the overuse of social media. “Use social media, but don’t let it use you,” he said and urged them to remain self-aware in the digital age.

He also encouraged students to embrace technological change with confidence rather than fear.

“Instead of worrying about Artificial Intelligence and the possibility of job loss, we must focus on equipping ourselves for the new challenges and opportunities they bring. What truly matters is our willingness to learn continuously, adapt to changing environments and strengthen our ability to think critically and communicate effectively,” he said.

He concluded by emphasising the power of communication. “Knowledge is valuable only when you can express it. You might have brilliant ideas. But if you can’t articulate them, they remain locked inside you. Learn to speak your thoughts with clarity and confidence.”