The objective of Shakti Says 5.0 - Chakraview: The Way Out was to create a safe and supportive space where students could understand that setbacks, failures, and moments of self-doubt are not signs of weakness but inevitable phases of growth. The event aimed to highlight the deep connection between failure and mental well-being, encouraging students to acknowledge emotions, seek support when required, and develop healthier perspectives toward success and challenges. By addressing emotional resilience and self-awareness, the event sought to help students find their way out of personal and professional "chakravyuhs."
The students gained valuable insights into the emotional strength and self-awareness required to navigate failures, pressures, and internal challenges in both academic and professional settings. Through their participation in the activities conducted by Team Shakti, they also enhanced their emotional and social awareness, recognizing the importance of mental well-being, resilience, and supportive environments in overcoming personal and collective challenges.
Shakti - The Women Development and Social Responsibility Cell of SIBM-H conducted Shakti Says 5.0, the fifth edition of Shakti Says, for the MBA students of Batch 2024-26 and Batch 2025-27 on 12th December, 2025. The theme of the event was "Chakraview: The Way Out", which focused on understanding the internal struggles individuals face due to failure, pressure, self-doubt, and societal expectations, and on finding constructive ways to overcome them. The core philosophy of Symbiosis International (DU) is Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam; in pursuance of this philosophy and as part of the university's emphasis on nurturing emotionally resilient future managers, speakers from diverse professional backgrounds were invited to share their experiences and insights. The event encouraged students to engage in open conversations around mental health, develop empathy, and adopt healthier perspectives toward challenges, growth, and personal well- being.
(Lamp Lighting by Dr. Shyamsunder Chitta, Dr. Ridhi Rani, our esteemed guests and head and deputy of Shakti)
The event started with the lighting of the lamp by Dr. Shyamsunder Chitta, Deputy Director, SIBM Hyderabad; Dr. Ridhi Rani, Faculty-In-Charge of Shakti; Head and Deputy Head of Shakti, and our esteemed guest, Ms. Aruna Param, head human resources, Auro Realty; Ms. Neha Rajpoot, Assistant General Manager, Talent Acquisition, SCO(India), DP World; Ms. Ankita Jain - Founder and Chief Psychologist, PsycheArte; Mr. Gijo Mathew, Head of Learning and Development at Auro Realty. After that Dr. Shyamsunder Chitta and Dr. Ridhi Rani addressed the audience by their welcome speech followed by the head of Shakti introducing the theme of the event. Ms. Aruna Param addressed the students wherein, she discussed the power of perspectives followed by a question-and-answer session with students.
(Ms. Aruna Param addressing the audience on Power of Perspectives)
During the session, Ms. Param invited members of the audience to come on stage and posed a thought-provoking question written on the board, asking whether they perceived a situation as "half empty" or "half full". The exercise effectively encouraged participants to reflect on how perspective influences interpretation. The discussion highlighted that individuals often respond to challenges based on their mindset rather than the situation itself. Through this interaction, the speaker emphasized the importance of adopting a constructive outlook, demonstrating how a shift in perspective can help individuals navigate setbacks, uncertainty, and personal challenges more effectively.
(Activity conducted by Ms. Aruna Param during her address)
Following this thought-provoking session, a fun filled activity, which was called "Balancing the pen," was held. Participants were called on stage and teams of 5 were made. They were given instructions on doing certain tasks while holding the pens by their fingertips.
(Students participating in "Balancing the pen")
After a short break, the anchors introduced the panel members and the moderator for the panel discussion. The moderator was Mr. Ruchir Bharati, Business Development Head, Cognizant. The panelists were Ms. Neha Rajpoot - Assistant General Manager, Talent Acquisition, SCO(India), DP World; Ms. Ankita Jain - Founder and Chief Psychologist, PsycheArte; Mr. Kadiri Raghu Vamsi - Entrepreneur and Founder Marpu Foundation. The discussion centered on the idea that one's first job does not define the entire course of life, emphasizing the importance of long-term perspective over immediate outcomes. The panelists addressed the detrimental effects of constant comparison with others, particularly during the placement phase, and shared strategies to manage overthinking and anxiety. They also reflected on how real-life experiences and failures often become the most profound teachers, imparting lessons that formal education and books sometimes cannot. Through these insights, the discussion encouraged students to view setbacks as opportunities for growth rather than limitations.
(Panel addressing the audience)
There was a one-on-one interaction between the panelists. They also interacted with the audience and answered their questions which indeed motivated and created a sense of positivity in the students. At the end of the event the deputy head gave the vote of thanks and the event concluded.
Shakti Says 5.0 - Chakraview: The Way Out aligned with multiple Sustainable Development Goals by promoting holistic development and social responsibility. The event contributed to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being) by encouraging open discussions on mental health, emotional resilience, and healthy coping mechanisms. It also supported SDG 4 (Quality Education) by fostering emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and life skills essential for personal and professional growth. As an initiative of the Women Development and Social Responsibility Cell, the event upheld the spirit of SDG 5 (Gender Equality) by creating an inclusive and safe space for dialogue across genders. Furthermore, by emphasizing empathy, perspective, and support, the event resonated with SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) and reinforced SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) through the promotion of respectful conversations and a mentally resilient academic community.
Shakti Says 5.0 - Chakraview: The Way Out offered meaningful learning outcomes by reinforcing the idea that failure, pressure, and self-doubt are integral to personal and professional growth rather than indicators of inadequacy. A key learning was the power of perspective, highlighted through interactive activities and discussions, which demonstrated how mindset shapes one's response to challenges more than the situation itself. The panel discussions further emphasized that early career outcomes or first jobs do not define long-term success, encouraging students to adopt patience, resilience, and a long-term outlook. Participants also learned the importance of emotional awareness, managing comparison, and addressing anxiety-especially during high-pressure phases such as placements. Overall, the event underscored that real-life experiences and setbacks often become the most impactful teachers, fostering empathy, self-awareness, and emotional resilience essential for future managers and responsible individuals.
Shakti Says 5.0 - Chakraview: The Way Out successfully provided a meaningful platform for students to reflect on their internal challenges, reframe their understanding of failure, and recognize the importance of mental and emotional well-being. Through insightful discussions, interactive engagement, and shared experiences, the event encouraged participants to adopt healthier perspectives toward success, setbacks, and self-growth. The sessions reinforced the value of empathy, resilience, and self-awareness in navigating personal and professional journeys. Overall, the event contributed to nurturing emotionally resilient individuals equipped to face future challenges with clarity, confidence, and a balanced outlook.
(Team Shakti with the panelists)
