Major General Paul Deepak Naidu Inspires Students with Leadership Lessons from the Highest Battlefield in the World
The Leadership Club under the Directorate of Student Affairs, The Apollo University, organized an inspiring Leadership Talk on 25 July 2026 on the theme "Sub Zero Snippets from Siachen – Leadership Lessons from the Highest Battlefield in the World." The session was delivered by Major General Paul Deepak Naidu (Retd.), who drew upon his extensive experience in the Indian Army to share leadership lessons from serving in the extreme conditions of the Siachen Glacier, the world's highest battlefield. The programme was attended by Prof. (Dr.) Nitin M. Nagarkar, Hon'ble Vice Chancellor, Dr. Alfred J. Augustine, Pro Vice Chancellor (Academics), Shri S. Balraj, Unit Head, Apollo Knowledge City, Deans, Heads of Institutions, faculty members, staff, and students.
Welcoming the resource person to the Apollo Knowledge City Campus, Prof. (Dr.) Nitin M. Nagarkar highlighted the significance of learning leadership from individuals who have led teams under the most demanding and unpredictable circumstances. He remarked that the values demonstrated by the Armed Forces—discipline, resilience, integrity, commitment, and service before self—are timeless qualities that students should imbibe to become responsible professionals and nation-builders.
During the session, Major General Paul Deepak Naidu (Retd.) captivated the audience with real-life experiences from Siachen, where soldiers operate in temperatures far below freezing, facing not only operational challenges but also the relentless forces of nature. He explained that in such an environment, leadership is tested every day—not by authority or position, but by one's ability to inspire confidence, make sound decisions under pressure, and place the welfare of the team above personal comfort. He stressed that the toughest battles are often fought against uncertainty, fear, and harsh conditions, making trust and teamwork indispensable.
Drawing parallels between military leadership and professional life, he emphasized that leadership is not about commanding people but about earning trust and enabling others to perform at their best. He spoke about the importance of clarity of purpose, time management, mission-focused planning, discipline, accountability, adaptability, and leading by example. Sharing anecdotes from his service, with real time photographs and videos from Siachen he illustrated how every individual, regardless of rank, contributes to mission success and how mutual respect and shared responsibility strengthen teams during challenging situations.
The speaker also highlighted the importance of mental resilience, explaining that success often depends more on attitude than circumstances. He encouraged students to embrace challenges as opportunities for growth, remain calm during crises, make ethical decisions, and continuously prepare themselves through learning and self-discipline. Reflecting on the Army's culture of continuous training and preparedness, he emphasized that excellence is achieved through consistent practice, perseverance, and an unwavering commitment to one's responsibilities.
An engaging interactive Question and Answer Session with students followed, during which participants posed thought-provoking questions on leadership, motivation, decision-making under pressure, and the relevance of military values in corporate and personal life. Responding to the queries, Major General Paul Deepak Naidu (Retd.) encouraged students to develop a service-oriented mindset, cultivate emotional intelligence, and remember that "leadership is a responsibility to make others better because of your presence." The session concluded with a vote of thanks, leaving participants inspired by the extraordinary experiences and timeless leadership principles shared by the distinguished speaker.