“Failure is not the end of the world. It is the beginning of the growth journey” – Mr. J. A. Choudhary, Former Special Chief Secretary & IT Advisor to the Andhra Pradesh CM
Hyderabad, April 14, 2025 — Anurag University hosted a one-of-a-kind conference on a rarely addressed yet critical subject—failure.
Titled “Right Kind of Wrong: Embracing Failures”, the day-long conclave took place this weekend on the university campus in Venkatapuram, near Uppal, and brought together thought leaders, industry veterans, and academicians for a powerful and insightful exchange.
This first-ever full-day conference on the theme of failure aimed to reframe how society perceives setbacks—not as dead ends, but as vital steps in the journey of personal and professional growth.
In his keynote address, Mr. J. A. Choudhary, Founder of ISF, Architect, and Former Special Chief Secretary & IT Advisor to the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, said,
“Failure is not the end of the world. It is the beginning of growth.” He highlighted how embracing failure with the right mindset can lead to innovation, resilience, and eventual success.
Speakers referenced the famous words of Thomas Edison:
“I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”
They reiterated that meaningful success is impossible without encountering obstacles—and that only those who are willing to fail can truly achieve greatness.
The conclave featured a wide range of sessions under themes such as:
* Redefining Failure
* The Science of Failing Well & Psychological Safety
* The Courage to Fail
* Turning Setbacks into Stepping Stones
* The Growth Mindset
The key objectives of the conference were to:
* Learn from Real-world Experiences: Understand how leaders transformed failures into turning points.
* Foster Innovation: Encourage risk-taking and bold thinking in pursuit of new ideas.
* Promote a Growth Mindset: Inspire participants to see failures as opportunities for learning.
* Build Emotional Resilience: Provide tools and strategies to bounce back stronger.
* Create a Safe Space for Dialogue: Enable open, judgment-free conversations around failure.
* Encourage Collaboration: Facilitate networking and shared learning from setbacks.
Despite being an inevitable part of life, failure is often stigmatized and viewed with shame. Anurag University’s School of Management challenged that narrative, presenting failure as a source of valuable lessons and future opportunity.
The conclave created a space for candid conversations, where industry leaders shared personal stories of failure, resilience, and ultimate triumph, motivating participants to pursue their passions without the fear of “What if I fail?”
Notable speakers included:
* Dr. Balaji Utla, Dean, School of Management, Vice Chairperson, NIMS, Anurag University
* Mr. J. A. Choudhary, Founder, ISF; Architect; Former Special Chief Secretary & IT Advisor to the AP CM
* Mr. Suresh Samudrala, Chief HR Officer, Satven
* Mr. Venugopal Kandimalla, SVP & India Head, Zellis Global Capability Center
* Ms. Krishna Kumari, SVP & Global Delivery Head, Tech Mahindra and several others from across academia and industry.
The event concluded with a resounding message: Failure is not something to fear—it is something to learn from, grow through, and ultimately celebrate.