XLRI professor honoured with guard-of-honour farewell after 33 years of teaching

A simple, heartfelt farewell at XLRI Jamshedpur has offered a timely reminder of what institutions are ultimately built on: people, purpose, and the quiet power of mentorship.

A video shared on LinkedIn by a colleague shows Professor Venugopal Pingali walking through a corridor lined on both sides by students and staff, applauding as he passes. The moment, described as a guard-of-honour, marked the completion of his 33-year journey at the institute.

While professional transitions are common in academia, public expressions of gratitude at this scale are rarer—and that is perhaps why the clip has struck a chord. In the video, Professor Pingali appears visibly moved as the corridor of well-wishers applauds him, turning a routine goodbye into an affirmation of shared learning and respect.

A farewell that reflects campus culture

In management education, outcomes are often discussed in terms of placements, rankings, and industry relevance. Yet, the deeper value of a campus is also shaped by its culture—how it recognises good teaching, sustained commitment, and personal guidance.

The guard-of-honour farewell at XLRI is being seen in that light: as a community acknowledging a long-term academic contribution. Over three decades, a faculty member typically teaches thousands of students across batches, influences curriculum and classroom thinking, and contributes to the steady institutional memory that helps a school stay grounded even as it evolves.

The warmth of the send-off suggests that Professor Pingali’s presence extended beyond the classroom. Applause in a corridor may seem small compared to formal awards, but it can be one of the most meaningful gestures: direct, collective, and personal.

Recognition, retention, and the leadership pipeline

The business world increasingly speaks about culture, engagement, and retention—not only for companies but also for knowledge institutions that nurture future managers. Moments like this are a reminder that strong institutions invest in faculty as much as they invest in infrastructure and programmes.

India’s management ecosystem is expanding, with growing demand for industry-ready talent, specialised skills, and values-based leadership. Faculty members play a central role in meeting that demand: translating theory into practice, coaching students through ambiguity, and shaping ethical judgement.

When students and colleagues come together to honour a professor’s long tenure, it reflects continuity—an important ingredient for institutional trust. It also signals to younger educators that teaching is valued not just as a job, but as a long-term craft that communities notice and remember.

At a time when professional networks are increasingly digital, the fact that this moment travelled through LinkedIn adds another dimension. It shows how positive campus experiences can inspire wider audiences, offering a counterpoint to the constant churn of online discourse.

A quiet lesson in gratitude

The video’s impact lies in its simplicity: no grand stage, no elaborate script—just a corridor, a professor, and a community showing appreciation. For many viewers, it is also a prompt to reflect on their own mentors: teachers, managers, seniors, and colleagues who helped shape their path.

In the end, institutions are measured not only by what they produce, but also by how they treat the people who contribute to their mission year after year. A guard-of-honour, offered with sincerity, becomes more than a farewell—it becomes a shared lesson in gratitude.

**Why it matters:** In an economy built on skills and leadership, recognising educators strengthens institutional culture, encourages high-quality teaching, and reminds future managers that respect and gratitude are essential parts of professional life.