The Girl Who Fought Her Way to Everything | Eksha Kerung | TEDxNERIST
Have you ever been asked, “What do you want to be?”—and your answer was, “I don’t know”? You’re not alone. In this raw, heartfelt, and deeply relatable talk, Eksha shares her journey from being clueless in college to becoming a national-level boxer, a model, and a police constable—all while navigating doubts, fears, and societal expectations. This isn’t a success story; it’s a search story—for everyone who feels lost, ordinary, or confused but still carries the quiet fire to be something unique. From punching through failures to standing tall in both uniforms and heels, Eksha’s message is powerful and clear: you don’t need to have it all figured out—you just need to keep showing up. Through her journey, you’ll discover why not knowing what you want can be your greatest gift, how to tackle self-doubt, fear of judgment, and feeling “not good enough,” and why your uniqueness, family, and inner drive matter. This talk is a testament to how manifestation, hard work, and emotion can change your life. Eksha Kerung is a multi-faceted police officer, model, athlete, and youth icon from Sombaria, West Sikkim. Currently serving as a Constable in the Sikkim Police’s Anti-Riot Unit, she exemplifies discipline and dedication. A state-level boxer and two-time national athlete, Eksha transitioned seamlessly into the world of fashion, winning Miss Sikkim 2018 and gaining national fame as a finalist in MTV’s Supermodel of the Year 2021. She further rose to prominence as the face of Maybelline New York in India. In 2024, she showcased her versatility by appearing in Warner Bros. Discovery’s Reality Ranis of the Jungle. Eksha’s journey from uniform to runway reflects the evolving role of women in modern India—breaking stereotypes and redefining success across multiple domains. Her story inspires countless young individuals to pursue their passions with resilience, courage, and purpose. 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
More from TED
- 17:05Hypersensitivity: Weakness or Leadership Superpower? | Sabrina Brouillard | TEDxEDHECBusinessSchoolWhat if your greatest weakness was actually your hidden superpower? For years, I believed my hyper-sensitivity was something to fix or hide. But over time, I discovered it was the key to unlocking authentic leadership, deeper connection, and lasting impact. Event curated by TedXEDHECBusinessSchool Filmed and edited by Eliot Grosperrin Founder of Impacte Ton Devenir and certified Professional Coach with the International Coaching Federation (ICF), Sabrina Brouillard is dedicated to unlocking the unique potential within every individual. With a powerful presence across France and Switzerland, he empowers tomorrow’s leaders through transformative coaching and purpose-driven strategies. Known for her deep human insight and cross-cultural impact, Sabrina helps individuals and organizations tap into their authentic strengths to achieve lasting success. Whether on stage or in one-on-one sessions, she delivers a message that inspires change, fuels ambition, and reshapes 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
- 16:35Dancing Beyond Boundaries: The Art of Reinventing Yourself | Ashish Patil | TEDxPCCOER"Dancing Beyond Boundaries: The Art of Reinventing Yourself" captures the courage to break free from limitations and embrace change with grace and creativity. Like a dance, reinvention is fluid and expressive—it requires rhythm, resilience, and the willingness to step into the unknown. This journey isn’t about erasing the past, but about transforming it into something new, bold, and true to who you are becoming. It’s the art of evolving beyond expectations, moving with purpose, and daring to rewrite your own story. Ashish Patil is a renowned dancer and choreographer, particularly celebrated for his expertise in Lavni. Popularly known as the LavniKing, he has also appeared on reality shows like India's Best Dancer and Super Dancer, and served as a judge on Maharashtra's Best Dancer. 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
- 6:56How chess made me a better tennis player | Mercedes Laub | TEDxSaintAndrewsSchoolIn this talk, Mercedes Laub explores the surprising similarities between chess and tennis, shedding light on how strategic thinking in one sport can improve performance in the other. Mercedes is a seventh Grader at Saint Andrews, where she has been attending for 1 year. She is originally from Brooklyn, New York, but moved to Florida 3 years ago. You will usually find her playing tennis, painting, and dancing ballet. She also loves reading whenever she has free time. Mercedes loves traveling to Spain, New York, and Germany during the summer with her family. When she's not on the tennis court after school, she typically spends her time studying online, focusing on languages like German and Spanish. She joined TED-Ed to improve her writing and vocabulary skills. She also wants to inform people how her passion can relate to something as common as chess. 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
- 16:04Beyond Unicorns: The True Magic of Sustainable Startups | Udit Goenka | TEDxAISSMSCOEIn the startup world, "Unicorns" symbolize billion-dollar valuations but at what cost? Udit Goenka challenges the obsession with mythical growth, exposing its hidden risks through real stories like GoMechanic's collapse. He introduces sustainable alternatives "Zebras" and "Camels" startups that prioritize real profits and community impact. Drawing inspiration from Zoho and Zerodha, Udit redefines success as lasting, ethical, and value-driven. He urges entrepreneurs to move beyond the unicorn myth and embrace sustainable business models that prioritize resilience, impact, and true value creation. Because real success is measured in legacy, not just valuation. Udit Goenka is a SaaS and AI entrepreneur who is the founder and CEO of PitchGround, which is a startup-business marketplace. He is also the head of TinyCheque, India's first AI-driven SaaS venture studio, building platforms such as Niyam.ai and QCall.ai. He started entrepreneurship at the age of 18 by launching a WordPress security solution and co-founded Power Up Hosting later on. He has also guided and invested in more than 35 startups based on automation and scalability. A member of the Forbes Business Council, he posts about SaaS growth and digital strategies. His businesses have helped drive more than $14 million in SaaS sales. 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
- 11:40Empowered Women Empower Generations | Umang Shridhar | TEDxAvantika UniversityWhen a woman is empowered, she doesn't just change her own life—she transforms generations. From villages to boardrooms, from artisans to entrepreneurs—women are shaping the future with strength, resilience, and vision. Education, skill, and opportunity fuel this transformation. And when one woman rises, she lifts others with her. In my Ted x talk i want to honor and ignite the power of women. Because empowered women don’t just change their world—they change THE world! Umang Shridhar is Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia (2019) honoree, is a social entrepreneur and textile designer dedicated to empowering rural artisan women. 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
- 15:09Imperfect Sustainability for Imperfect People | Linda Nhu Laursen | TEDxAalborg“Nobody is perfect. Nobody can do everything. But everyone can do something. Everyone can fix one thing.” Linda Nhu Laursens mission is to gather and engage people in actions, as repair, longer product lifetime and less waste. To redesign our throw-away-society, making the sustainable and planetary responsible choice is the easiest, pragmatic and most attractive choice for all people. Dr. Linda Nhu Laursen is the Head of Research at AAU Design Lab and an Associate Professor at Aalborg University, Denmark. She has written several books on long-lasting design, repair, and waste materials and has won awards for both her research and leadership. As a passionate advocate for sustainability, she actively shares her ideas and research mission – Design with Staying Power – to inspire change. 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