Mithilesh Patankar shares how moments of criticism shaped his journey—from a classroom embarrassment that led to fitness, to a friend’s taunt that fueled his passion for coding, and early YouTube struggles that tested his perseverance. From earning mere paise to building an audience of millions, his story is one of resilience. He highlights how setbacks, when embraced, can drive transformation. By channeling criticism into motivation, he turned obstacles into opportunities. His talk embodies the *Alchemy of Change*, proving that true growth begins when we step beyond doubt. Mithilesh Patankar aka Mythpat is one of India's most successful gaming YouTubers, known for his humorous gameplay videos, reaction content, and entertaining mimicry. He gained fame with his unique commentary on games like GTA V, Minecraft, and Among Us, often incorporating funny voiceovers and pop culture references. With millions of subscribers, multiple YouTube Creator Awards, and collaborations with top influencers, he has become a leading name in the Indian gaming and entertainment space. Mithilesh is Alumnus of VIT (Vidyalankar Institute of Technology, Mumbai) 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

Somya Baral explores the power of discomfort in driving transformation through personal stories of resilience. He shares how a knee injury led him to complete a marathon and how embracing AI pushed him beyond his limits. Introducing the "Cold Plunge" mindset and S.T.A.R.T. framework, he demonstrates how small shifts create lasting change. In this TEDx talk, he urges us to step beyond our comfort zones, reframe challenges, and lead with purpose. Somya Baral, Vice President at Morgan Stanley, has over 18 years of experience in capital markets, specializing in algorithmic trading, smart order routing, and low-latency electronic trading systems. With expertise in FIX protocols, sales and trading strategies, and performance optimization, he has been instrumental in developing cutting-edge financial technology solutions. A DevOps expert, he integrates tools like Git, Jenkins, Ansible, Docker, and Kubernetes on AWS to enhance system reliability and security. Certified in ITIL Foundation and Service Operations, he excels in strategic planning, agile project management, and fintech innovation. 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 all believe in a formula for success—work hard, follow the right path, and everything will fall into place. But what happens when it doesn’t? When the plan fails, and you’re left wondering, What now? In this talk, Rohit Bhandwalkar shares his journey of chasing a dream that didn’t work out—twice—and how that failure led him to unexpected opportunities, passions, and a life he never could have planned. Through personal stories and the science of post-traumatic growth, he explores how setbacks aren’t dead ends but turning points in disguise. Rohit B. Bhandwalkar is currently engineering student of VIT (Vidyalankar Institute of Technology, Mumbai) with a passion for building apps and software that make life easier. A skilled debater, he was a district-level finalist in the Federal Bank's Speak for India debate competition. When he's not writing code, he's either leading initiatives-having held a leadership role in the Unstop Igniters Club-or captivating audiences with his words. A storyteller at heart, he has performed at numerous open mics and events, with his work featured in anthologies like Petals 2022, From My Heart, and Poetry Express. 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

Discusses how it is important to let go of the fear of change. He also discusses a change in personality between walks of life, and shares a personally designed suggestion to combat the fear of change by using "Magic" as an acronym which is described in great detail. As a musician, Sachin has been a master of change. Fluidly navigating genres and academia, he’s a true artist at heart, pursuing his degree in Electronics and Telecommunications. Sachin’s journey with music began at the early age of 6, and since then he has never looked back. Music has been a defining force in his life- and his ultimate goal is to give back to music as much as it has given him. 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

Water is one of the most abundant resources in nature, yet millions struggle to access it daily. In this talk titled 'The Leaking Pot', Dr. Umesh Mundlye explores the paradox of water scarcity in regions like Konkan, Maharashtra—where heavy rainfall coexists with acute shortages. Through personal experiences and real-life case studies, he highlights the challenges faced by rural communities, particularly women and young girls, in securing water for survival. The discussion goes beyond infrastructure and rainfall data, uncovering the hidden barriers: a landscape that doesn't retain water and a mindset that accepts scarcity as fate. The turning point comes when innovative solutions transform entire communities, proving that change is possible. More than a talk on water conservation, The Leaking Pot is a metaphor for life. It urges us to identify and fix the 'cracks' in our beliefs, behaviors, and systems, showing that abundance is not about having more—it’s about preventing waste. This talk will leave you with a powerful question: Where are you leaking potential, and how can you change that? Dr. Umesh Mundlye is a social entrepreneur enabling water preservation, management and ecological restoration across communities for over 29 years. He also has more than 25 years of field experience in biodiversity conservation and has led various conservation efforts across Maharashtra. His work has directly impacted over 2.2 Lakh individuals in over 200+ villages, resulting in 6 billion litres of water being recharged into the ecosystem each year. 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

Actor Ajit Shidhaye illustrates how transformation emerges from discomfort, uncertainty, and continuous evolution. He challenges the illusion of security, emphasizing that true growth happens when we break free from routine and embrace change. Drawing from his own journey—from a stable career in hospitality to the unpredictability of acting—he highlights that setbacks are not roadblocks but stepping stones. Just as alchemy turns lead into gold, he redefines success as the ability to shed fears, adapt, and shape one's own destiny. Ajit Shidhaye is an actor and personality enhancement coach with a diverse background in hospitality, having spent 24+ years in luxury hotels and cruise liners, traveling to 100+ countries as a corporate trainer. At 45, he transitioned into acting, now with 30+ projects across Hindi, Marathi, English, Telugu, and Tamil. He was nominated for Best Supporting Actor at the ITA Awards 2020 for Special Ops and has collaborated with renowned directors like Neeraj Pandey, Rohit Shetty, Ashutosh Gowariker, and AR Murugadoss. 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