The IEEE Young Professionals Hyderabad Affinity Group, in association with the IEEE Hyderabad Section, successfully organized the Swami Vivekananda Memorial Lecture, a first-of-its-kind initiative by the Affinity Group, on 4 July 2026 at Plaza Hotel, Begumpet, Hyderabad. The event was conceived to commemorate the enduring legacy of Swami Vivekananda and inspire students, young professionals, and IEEE members to embrace ethical leadership, integrity, and service to society. The keynote lecture was delivered by Mr. Manish Gupta, Partner at Riceberg Ventures and former Director at SAP, on the theme "Leadership, Ethics, and Technology for Society."

Mr. Gupta delivered a highly interactive and thought-provoking session, encouraging participants to actively engage in discussions and reflect on the qualities that define effective leadership. Drawing inspiration from the teachings of Swami Vivekananda, he emphasized that leadership is not defined by titles or positions but by one's character, values, vision, and ability to positively influence others. He highlighted the importance of self-confidence, discipline, humility, resilience, and continuous learning in becoming responsible leaders capable of creating meaningful societal impact.

The speaker stressed that ethical values form the cornerstone of sustainable leadership. Through practical examples and experiences from his professional journey, he explained how integrity, transparency, accountability, empathy, and responsible decision-making enable individuals to build trust, foster collaboration, and navigate challenges effectively. He encouraged participants to lead by example, remain committed to their principles, and contribute to society beyond their professional responsibilities.

The session concluded with an engaging question-and-answer session, where participants discussed leadership development, ethical dilemmas, mentorship, career growth, and personal development. Mr. Gupta addressed each query with practical insights and valuable guidance, making the interaction highly enriching. The memorial lecture successfully fulfilled its objective of inspiring participants to uphold Swami Vivekananda's ideals while nurturing a new generation of ethical, compassionate, and socially responsible leaders.