Sahil Sachdeva at Thapar Institute: A Keynote on Personal Branding for Students

A reflective account of Sahil Sachdeva’s Thapar Institute keynote, blending personal branding, visibility, communication, investing wisdom, and an unexpected musical finale that deeply engaged students and redefined a typical campus session.

Sahil Sachdeva at Thapar Institute: A Keynote on Personal Branding for Students

On most campuses, keynote sessions follow a predictable rhythm: speaker, slides, applause, dispersal. But on February 6, 2026, at Thapar Institute of Engineering & Technology, the script was rewritten.

What began as a formal address by Sahil Sachdeva, Founder of Level Up PR, quickly evolved into a layered conversation on ambition, visibility, discipline, and, unexpectedly, music. Hosted by the Economics Club of Thapar Institute of Engineering & Technology (ECON Club TIET), the 90-minute session drew over 50 students and unfolded in three segments: a 45-minute keynote, a 30-minute panel discussion, and a 15-minute open Q&A. What distinguished the evening wasn’t just the format but the intensity of engagement.

A Full-Circle Moment

Before stepping onto the stage, Sahil toured the campus, expressing particular admiration for the university’s expansive library and academic environment. The visit carried quite a symbolism. Nearly a decade earlier, he had walked the same corridors as an applicant, only to be denied admission due to his JEE rank. This time, he returned not as a hopeful candidate but as a keynote speaker and was later felicitated with a trophy in recognition of his entrepreneurial journey.

The Debate: Quality or Representation?

One of the evening’s defining questions was deceptively simple: In a competitive world, does quality matter more than representation?

Sahil’s answer was precise: quality is foundational and non-negotiable. Skill, clarity of thought, and disciplined execution form the backbone of long-term success. But without visibility, even exceptional work risks obscurity. Representation does not substitute quality; it amplifies it. Visibility opens doors. Sustained excellence keeps them open.

Drawing from his experience collaborating with the team of Robert Kiyosaki, author of Rich Dad Poor Dad, he emphasized that influence is rarely accidental. Wealth creation and impact are not built on hard work alone, they scale through leverage, asset building, and strategic positioning. The enduring success of Rich Dad Poor Dad, he noted, is as much about positioning and credibility as it is about content.

Great ideas do not automatically travel. Visibility builds credibility. Credibility builds influence. Influence changes outcomes.

Communication: Built, Not Born

Another question turned the spotlight inward: How does one build strong communication skills?

Sahil shared candidly that public speaking was once a discomfort, not a strength. Post-graduation, he joined Toastmasters International in Chandigarh, intentionally stepping into structured environments that demanded consistent stage exposure. Through repetition, feedback, and persistence, he transformed discomfort into competence, earning a Best Speaker recognition within six months.

The message was clear: confidence is constructed through disciplined practice, not natural talent.

Where Should Students Invest?

When the discussion shifted to investing, the advice was pragmatic. At an early stage, with limited capital, the highest-return investment is personal developmentskills, financial literacy, communication, discipline, and network-building. These internal assets expand future financial options far more effectively than early speculative market participation.

In essence: build capacity before chasing capital.

An Unscripted Finale

The evening concluded in a way no one anticipated. At a student’s request, Sahil performed “Tere Bin” by Jubin Nautiyal. The applause demanded an encore, “Gulabi Ankhein.” With auditorium lights dimmed and phone flashlights illuminating the space, the room shifted from analytical to emotional.

What had started as a keynote transformed into a shared experience.

For Sahil, it was also a reminder of a long-standing passion for singing, one that had quietly receded as entrepreneurship took center stage.

Beyond a Campus Talk

The ECON Club session ultimately blended entrepreneurship, personal growth, financial literacy, and artistic expression into a cohesive narrative. Students left not merely motivated but equipped with frameworks for thinking about visibility, leverage, and long-term positioning.

Because in today’s economy, competence is essential, but competence seen, trusted, and amplified is what truly scales.

And sometimes, the most powerful lessons arrive not just through strategy but through story, vulnerability, and song.