Urging present-day graduates to go the extra mile to acquire additional skills in order to improve their employability was none other than CEO of AirAsia India, Mittu Chandilya. Delivering the keynote address at the inauguration of the 12th All-India Management Students Convention at the University of Madras recently, he said, “Today, companies look for that X-factor in potential employees. A desire and passion for success is paramount to success.”
Alluding to the theme of the convention this year, ‘Winning strategies – how to make winning a habit’, the business magnate said that it was necessary to have clarity in one’s priorities. “We must remember that everyone has an opportunity to become a winner,” he said, quoting real-life instances from his organisation. The event was organised by the Madras Management Association and the University of Madras.
A host of dignitaries from various companies, including chairman of Mindtree Limited Subroto Bagchi, were invited to speak.
Bagchi, in his address, underlined that winning is an idea which can be achieved through constant evolution.
“Before winning, one must strive to achieve excellence. Integrity needs to be ingrained in the habit of winning. This would help deal with adversity as well,” he said.
To drive home his point, he narrated the example of Dr Govindappa Venkataswamy, founder of the Arvind Eye Hospital, who overcame his shortcoming of rheumatoid arthritis to become a successful eye surgeon. The event, a two-day affair, comprised sessions on winning strategies in the business world and winning in other competitive pursuits.
A special issue of Business Mandate, an in-house magazine, was released by Bagchi.
Also present on the occasion were K S Ramesh, director of Suguna Foods Private Limited, R Thandavan, Vice-Chancellor, University of Madras, and Gp Captain R Vijayakumar, Executive Director of Madras Management Association.