Beyond Degrees, Beyond Careers: A Journey Towards Character, Purpose and Excellence
NV Paulose, Chairman, Global TV +91 98441 82044
In a world that often measures success by marks, degrees, designations and paychecks, there is a deeper question that deserves our attention: What kind of person are we becoming?
It is this profound question that lies at the heart of Shraddha 26, Medha 26 and Prajna 26, a series of inspiring symposiums being organised by Ramakrishna Mission, Mangaladevi, Mangaluru, from 9 to 11 September 2026. Bringing together postgraduate students, teachers, aspiring teachers and students of professional courses, the three-day programme goes beyond conventional education. It seeks to remind young minds and educators that true education is not merely the accumulation of information or the pursuit of a career. Education is the shaping of character, the awakening of purpose and the preparation of individuals to contribute meaningfully to society.
Shraddha 26 | Success Begins Within
The journey begins on 9 September with Shraddha 26, a symposium for postgraduate students. The inauguration brings together distinguished personalities including Sri Govinda Babu Poojary, Founder & Chairman of Cheftalk Food & Hospitality Services Pvt. Ltd.; Prof. P.L. Dharma, Vice-Chancellor of Mangalore University; and Dr. A. Srinivas Rao, Chancellor of Srinivas University.
The sessions then turn towards a question every young professional eventually confronts: Is career success enough? Swami Yukteshanandaji of Ramakrishna Ashrama, Mysuru, addresses this through “Success & Beyond – Career Powered by Character.” The message is both simple and powerful: a successful career built without character can never provide lasting fulfilment.
Dr. Raghavendra Holla N., Chairman of Swastika National Business School, Mangaluru, explores “The Leader Within: Self-Mastery, Discipline and Excellence.” Before a person can lead an organisation, a team or a community, there is another leadership challenge, to lead oneself.
The day culminates in a panel discussion, “Beyond the Paycheck: What Makes Work Meaningful?”, featuring perspectives from mental health, technology and human resources. Because ultimately, work is not merely about earning a living. It is also about finding meaning in what we do and discovering how our abilities can serve something larger than ourselves.
Medha 26 | Teachers Shape More Than Classrooms
On 10 September, the focus shifts to those who stand at the very foundation of society, the teachers. Medha 26, a symposium for teachers and aspiring teachers, carries a powerful message: every teacher is shaping the future, one mind at a time. The inauguration features Dr. H.S. Shetty, Chairman, Airman and Managing Director of Mysore Mercantile Company Limited, Bengaluru; Sri Prasanth Poduval, Group General Manager, MRPL ONGC, Mangaluru; and Sri Vijayanarayana K.M., Secretary of Vivekananda Vidyavardhaka Sangha, Puttur.
Swami Yukteshanandaji returns with the thought-provoking theme “Beware! You are Shaping Minds & Building the Future.” It is a reminder that teaching is never a routine profession. Every word spoken by a teacher, every value demonstrated and every student encouraged can leave an imprint that lasts a lifetime. Sri Damodar Sharma, motivational speaker from Udupi, explores “The Teacher as a Nation Builder.” The message is timeless: nations are not built only in parliaments, industries and laboratories. They are built quietly in classrooms, through teachers who inspire young people to think, dream, act and live with integrity.
The day’s panel discussion, “Teaching with Purpose: Beyond the Classroom,” brings together voices from psychiatry, education and human resources to explore how educators can influence lives far beyond academic achievement.
Prajna 26 | From Students to Professionals
The third day, 11 September, turns the spotlight towards students pursuing professional courses through Prajna 26. The inauguration features Dr. K. Prakash Shetty, Chairman & Managing Director of MRG Group, Mangaluru; Sri D. Vedavyas Kamath, Member of the Legislative Assembly, Mangaluru South; and Sri Vishal Hegde, Chancellor of Nitte (deemed to be) University.
For today’s students, professional education opens countless opportunities. But opportunity alone does not guarantee excellence. Swami Yukteshanandaji’s theme, “Root to Fruit – Good Students Make Good Professionals,” captures the essence beautifully. The quality of a professional’s work is ultimately connected to the quality of the person behind it.
Sri Gurudatta Shenoy, Managing Partner of Mukund Realty & Vertex Managed, takes the conversation further with “Excellence with Integrity: The Winning Formula for Professionals.” In an increasingly competitive world, integrity may sometimes appear old-fashioned. In reality, it is one of the most enduring foundations of professional success. The concluding panel, “Beyond Degrees: Skills, Mindset and Social Impact for a Meaningful Career,” brings together experts from skill development, psychology and corporate investigations. Its central message is particularly relevant to today’s generation:
A degree may open a door. Skills may help you enter it. But character, mindset and a sense of social responsibility determine what you do after entering.
Education That Goes Beyond Education
The three symposiums; Shraddha, Medha and Prajna, represent three interconnected dimensions of human development.
- Shraddha reminds us to build character and discover meaning.
- Medha reminds educators of their extraordinary responsibility in shaping minds and society.
- Prajna challenges students to transform knowledge into excellence, integrity and social contribution.
Together, they convey a powerful philosophy:
Education should not merely prepare us to make a living. It should prepare us to live meaningfully.
At a time when young people face enormous pressure to succeed quickly, choose the right career and remain competitive, these conversations offer something deeper; a pause to reflect on who we are, why we work, whom we serve and what kind of society we want to build.
The presence of leaders from education, business, technology, healthcare, psychology, human resources and industry makes the symposium especially relevant. Their diverse experiences create an opportunity for students and teachers to see success from multiple perspectives.
The Real Measure of Success
Perhaps the most inspiring message emerging from these three days is that success cannot be reduced to a salary package, a designation, a certificate or a degree. A truly successful person is one who combines competence with character, ambition with responsibility, knowledge with wisdom, and achievement with compassion. And a truly successful educational system is one that produces not merely employable graduates, but responsible citizens, ethical professionals, courageous leaders and compassionate human beings. That is the larger vision behind these symposiums.
As students, teachers and professionals gather at Ramakrishna Mission Mangaladevi, the invitation is not simply to listen to inspiring speakers. It is an invitation to look within, think deeply and act purposefully.
- Because careers will change.
- Technology will change.
- Industries will change.
- The world itself will change.
But the need for character, discipline, integrity, wisdom and compassion will never change.
And perhaps that is the greatest lesson these three days can offer:
- Build the person first. The profession will follow.
- Develop character first. Leadership will follow.
- Seek purpose first. Success will find its rightful meaning.
Through Shraddha 26, Medha 26 and Prajna 26, Ramakrishna Mission Mangaladevi is creating more than a series of symposiums. It is creating a space where education meets character, career meets purpose, and individual excellence meets social responsibility. For when education transforms the individual, the individual can transform society
