Nagpur, August 19, 2026 : “The ability to turn adverse circumstances into favourable ones is management,” said Padma Shri awardee and Chairman of Solar Group of Industries Satyanarayanji Nuwal, while addressing students of the Indian Institute of Management Nagpur on Wednesday. He was speaking at a felicitation ceremony organised by IIM Nagpur to honour him on being conferred the Padma Shri for his contribution to trade and industry.

Sharing lessons from his own journey, Nuwal said challenges should be viewed as opportunities to learn and grow. “If there are challenges before you, consider them a blessing from God,” he said.

Nuwal also stressed that professional competence alone does not define success. “You can be a good professional, but success in life is possible only with good character,” he said, urging students to develop strong values alongside professional skills.

He advised management students to develop an understanding of material science, which he described as an important area for future technologies and industries. Speaking about the growing role of artificial intelligence, Nuwal said AI was entering every field, but technological advancement should not weaken one’s connection with culture and roots.

Nuwal also spoke about India’s growing self-reliance in defence manufacturing and Solar Group’s work in developing indigenous technologies. He said the company’s counter-drone system, including the Micromax missile, is expected to be ready by October. He also spoke about the development of a universal air bomb compatible with aircraft manufactured by both NATO and Eastern countries.

Earlier, Dr Bhimaraya Metri, Director, IIM Nagpur, felicitated Nuwal on behalf of the institute. In his address, Dr Metri highlighted Nuwal’s journey from humble beginnings to building a leading Indian enterprise and said his life and experiences offered valuable lessons for management students.

The ceremony was attended by faculty members, officers, staff and students of IIM Nagpur. The programme provided the IIM Nagpur family an opportunity to celebrate Nuwal’s national honour and draw lessons from his journey in entrepreneurship, leadership, resilience and nation-building.