Ana Rie Tejima knows firsthand how unsettling change can be. After spending her entire life in one country, she was suddenly uprooted to Japan, leaving behind everything familiar—her friends, her surroundings, even the language she spoke. Just as she began to adjust, another shift forced her to start over yet again. In this talk, Ana will share the mindset shifts and strategies that helped her navigate unfamiliar territory, turn challenges into opportunities, and find stability even in the most unpredictable situations. By embracing change instead of resisting it, she learned how to transform fear into excitement—and now, she hopes to help others do the same. Ana Rie Tejima knows firsthand how unsettling change can be. After spending her entire life in one country, she was suddenly uprooted to Japan, leaving behind everything familiar—her friends, her surroundings, even the language she spoke. Just as she began to adjust, another shift forced her to start over yet again. In this talk, Ana will share the mindset shifts and strategies that helped her navigate unfamiliar territory, turn challenges into opportunities, and find stability even in the most unpredictable situations. By embracing change instead of resisting it, she learned how to transform fear into excitement—and now, she hopes to help others do the same. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

In a country where success is often boxed into degrees and designations, Kushal Lodha dared to step outside. A rank-holding Chartered Accountant who left the corporate ladder to teach finance with memes and reels, Kushal’s journey is a powerful narrative of breaking free from societal expectations. Through humor, insight, and lived experience, he explores what it means to Think UnboXed—not by rejecting tradition, but by redefining it. His talk challenges us to see the box not as a boundary, but as raw material for something entirely our own. Kushal Lodha is a distinguished finance professional and educator, renowned for his multifaceted contributions to the field. He is a Chartered Accountant (CA) who achieved All India Ranks across all levels of the CA examinations. Additionally, he has successfully completed all levels of the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) program and is an Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) affiliate, having secured a World Rank 3. Beyond his professional and academic endeavors, Kushal engages with a broader audience through his podcast, "Konversation with Kushal," where he discusses various topics related to finance and entrepreneurship. His commitment to financial education and his diverse experiences make him a prominent figure in India's finance and education sectors. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

We often celebrate persistence, but what about the courage it takes to quit? Uthranarayan C, a former engineering professor turned XLRI student, challenges the conventional wisdom that quitting equals failure. In a deeply personal and inspiring talk, he shares three transformative lessons—letting go without guilt, embracing new beginnings, and choosing kindness as a compass. His journey reminds us that the bravest path isn’t always the hardest one—it’s the one that’s truest to ourselves. Thinking UnboXed, he shows, begins with unlearning what holds us back. With a decade of experience as an engineering professor, he’s no stranger to shaping minds. A recent MBA graduate from XLRI Jamshedpur, he brings academic depth blended with fresh business insight. Now taking the TEDxXLRI stage as its first-ever student speaker, he embodies Thinking UnboXed. His journey is a testament to lifelong learning, reinvention, and the courage to start anew. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

Divya Sharma, a visually impaired corporate writer, disability rights activist, and President’s Awardee, takes the TEDx stage to challenge society’s assumptions about persons with disabilities. Through her powerful personal journey, she highlights the subtle and overt biases PWDs face and calls for a deeper understanding of true inclusion. With resilience, wit, and grace, Divya inspires us to see ability beyond impairment and to build a world where equality isn't an afterthought—it’s the foundation. Divya Sharma is an award-winning corporate writer, disability activist, and motivational speaker with over 7 years of global experience. Honoured with the President’s Award for Individual Excellence, she is also a marathoner, RJ, guitarist, and karate blue belt. As Content Manager at Radio Udaan, she hosts shows inspiring global audiences. Despite 75% vision impairment, Divya has defied odds, earning a Master’s in English and empowering thousands through her advocacy. Her journey is a testament to resilience, inclusion, and the power of believing in oneself against all barriers. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

While modern technology promises lifestyle upgrades for us all, Steven worries about his children's ability to fend off these powerful distractions. Originally from Alaska, Steven Martin is a long-term resident of Japan and splits his time between the snow capped mountains of Nagano and the suburbs of Setagaya. This talk will target a younger audience and advocate for an energetic and intentional pursuit of the physical world around us. While modern technology promises lifestyle upgrades for us all, Steven worries about his children's ability to fend off these powerful distractions. Originally from Alaska, Steven Martin is a long-term resident of Japan and splits his time between the snow capped mountains of Nagano and the suburbs of Setagaya. This talk will target a younger audience and advocate for an energetic and intentional pursuit of the physical world around us. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

How will Artificial Intelligence shape our future? Helen, a 6th-grade student at Seisen International School in Tokyo, Japan, has always been curious about how technology is changing the world around us. After exploring the fascinating world of Artificial Intelligence, they realized just how much AI is already impacting our lives, and how much more it could in the future. In this talk, Helen will dive into the exciting possibilities and risks of AI, exploring both the good and the bad. With examples like WALL-E and personal stories, Helen will share why understanding AI is important for everyone as we look toward the future. How will Artificial Intelligence shape our future? Helen, a 6th-grade student at Seisen International School in Tokyo, Japan, has always been curious about how technology is changing the world around us. After exploring the fascinating world of Artificial Intelligence, they realized just how much AI is already impacting our lives, and how much more it could in the future. In this talk, Helen will dive into the exciting possibilities and risks of AI, exploring both the good and the bad. With examples like WALL-E and personal stories, Helen will share why understanding AI is important for everyone as we look toward the future. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx