The Institution’s Innovation Council (IIC) of St. Agnes College (Autonomous) organised a session on 27th November 2025, open to all interested students of the St. Agnes College, on ‘The Power of Starting Small, How Big Ideas Really Grow – straight talk on the discipline, grit and mindset behind meaningful innovation’, as part of its upcoming campus entrepreneurship challenge – ‘Innovate and Elevate’.
The session began at 2:15 pm with Mrs. Akshatha Shetty, the Assistant Professor of the Department of MCA and the Innovation co-ordinator of IIC, conducting the session. Dr. Mallika Shetty, Assistant Professor of the Department of MBA and the convenor of IIC, escorted the guests, the resource person Mr. Johnson Tellis, the CEO of Sahyadri College of Engineering & Management, also the Co-Founder and CEO of InUnity, and Sr. Dr. M. Venissa A.C, the Principal of St. Agnes College to the stage. This was followed by a warm welcome and introduction of the speaker delivered by Dr. Mallika Shetty.
The Principal then addressed the gathering, sharing words of encouragement and appreciation, after which a green welcome was extended to Mr. Johnson Tellis.
Following this, the resource person Mr. Johnson began his talk. He shared his life journey, highlighting how he maintained hope and determination despite challenges. He spoke about his first invention—a plane, which marked an important milestone in driving his entrepreneurial mindset.
Mr. Johnson also explained how he encourages his students to think creatively and develop innovative ideas, fostering an environment that supports experimentation and originality. He introduced the concept of two metaphorical cages: The Golden Cage – representing comfort zones that restrict growth and the Cage of Resistance – symbolizing limitations we impose on ourselves. After which a Q&A session was held. Students participated actively, asking insightful questions about how they could develop their own ideas and pursue innovation.
During the interaction, Mr. Johnson recommended several books that could help students navigate a competitive world and shift their perspectives on life. He further emphasized the importance of education in broadening one’s horizons—not just through textbook learning, but also through external experiences and exposure to the world beyond the classroom.
The session was graced by the presence of Mrs. Sheryl Preethika, the HOD of Department of MBA, Mrs. Panchajanyeswari M Achar (HOD–MCA), Mr. Chaco P J and Mr. Roopesh Kumar, the Assistant Professor, Department of MBA and Ms. Vaishnavi Shenoy, Ms. Sweedle DSouza, Assistant Professors, MCA Department
The session officially concluded at 4:15 PM with the presentation of a thank-you gift to Mr. Johnson by Dr. Mallika, followed by a group photo with the gathering.
