In this motivational TEDx talk at Hindu College, chef Gauri Varma presents her incredible journey from doubt to establishing a successful business in spite of everything. From overcoming academic failure to setting records as a national swimmer, and from securing an Oxford MBA to starting a successful cake business, her journey is a demonstration of resilience, flexibility, and self-confidence.Learn the valuable lessons she gained — embracing the unconventional route, dealing with rejection, and drawing strength from moments of uncertainty. If you're an entrepreneur-in-the-making, a student trying to figure out career options, or someone pursuing your passion, this talk will have you inspired to bet on yourself and take the journey forward. The story of Confect, a leading bakery ingredient manufacturing brand in India, is a testament to perseverance, passion, and empowerment. Founded by Chef Gauri Varma, Confect was born from her love for baking and her vision to uplift financially struggling women. As a 100% women-owned and operated business, Confect stands as a shining example of exceptional leadership and entrepreneurial spirit. Despite facing significant personal challenges, Gauri demonstrated remarkable resilience and a relentless drive to learn and innovate. She pursued a crash course in food technology, meticulously tested samples, and gathered invaluable feedback from fellow bakers to refine her products. After a year of relentless effort and over 400 trials, Gauri finally developed the perfect recipe—a blend designed to endure India’s diverse weather conditions. This breakthrough marked the beginning of Confect’s inspiring journey to success. 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 her compelling TED Talk, Manogya Tiwari delves into ancient Indian perspectives on gender and womanhood, drawing insights from seminal texts like the Mahabharata and Rigveda. She recounts the profound dialogue in the Anushasana Parva, where Parvati inquires about the soul’s gender and Shankar reveals that the soul is formless—molded by karma rather than confined to male or female labels. Tiwari emphasizes that these ancient scriptures recognize a harmonious coexistence of masculine and feminine energies, a unity that modern male-centric definitions often overlook. She celebrates the rich legacy of intellectual, warrior, and leadership roles occupied by women, exemplified by figures such as Maitreyi, Gargi, and 36 revered rishikas. By paralleling historical icons like Rani Laxmi Bai, Savitribai Phule, Ahilya Bai Holkar, and Rani Chinnamma, Tiwari introduces a “sacred circle” of feminine strength—courage, vision, nurturing, and adaptability—as transformative ideals for contemporary society. Manogya Tiwari is a dynamic marketing leader revolutionizing the way young India engages with its ancient wisdom. As an entrepreneur and content creator with a thriving community of over 950,000, she seamlessly bridges the gap between tradition and technology. Through her ventures, Har Ghar Puja and Quizzin, she is making centuries-old knowledge accessible to the digital generation. Beyond her digital impact, Manogya is a sought-after corporate coach, guiding leaders in solving modern business challenges through the lens of ancient Indian wisdom. Her unique approach blends strategic frameworks from revered texts like the Ramayan, Bhagavad Gita and Chanakya Niti with contemporary leadership practices, offering a timeless yet innovative perspective on success. 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 this inspiring TEDx Talk, Aalok Shrivastav shares his remarkable journey from a small village in India to the vibrant city of Mumbai and how he defied societal expectations to pursue his passion for poetry and songwriting. Facing immense pressures to follow a conventional career, he chose courage over conformity, carving a niche for himself in the world of literature and music. Through lyrical storytelling, he speaks about the power of dreams, resilience, and the opportunities life presents. His talk is a poetic ode to passion, reminding us that success follows those who dare to listen to their hearts and persevere. Aalok Shrivastav is an Indian poet, lyricist, and journalist whose work captures the depth of human emotions and the nuances of life. His notable contributions include the poetry collection Aameen (2007) and the story collection Afreen (2012), both published by Rajkamal Prakashan and warmly received by literary circles.His literary journey has earned him recognition, including the International Pushkin Award and the Dushyant Kumar Award by the Madhya Pradesh Sahitya Akademi, reflecting his significant impact on contemporary Indian literature. 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

Human Rights. Be it you come from a different culture, or a different socio-economic background, or even a different country entirely; your very existence as a human being entitles you to fundamental principles that govern even the most powerful of sovereign nations… or so we hope. The UN sought to signpost our rights through the UDHR in 1948, rights such as the to education or right to liberty – yet the extent to how universal this declaration truly is must be questioned. Why is it that women aren’t allowed to be educated in Afghanistan? Or why can’t a civilian in North Korea freely express their discontent with the regime? In this talk, we’ll be exploring the importance and reasoning behind the push for universal enforcement, as well as challenges posed by unscrupulous territories in restricting these right Gianni is a Year 13 student. He is originally from China. He is studying Law, History, Psychology, and is presenting his topic on Human Rights. He has a keen interest in the field of international law, and the extent of internationalism in the modern world.Talk Synopsis: Human Rights: Cause without effect. Human Rights. Be it you come from a different culture, or a different socio-economic background, or even a different country entirely; your very existence as a human being entitles you to fundamental principles that govern even the most powerful of sovereign nations… or so we hope. In this talk, we’ll be exploring the importance and reasoning behind the push for universal enforcement, as well as challenges posed by unscrupulous territories in restricting these right. 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

When was the last time you took a moment to appreciated what was around you? In this fast-paced, ever-changing world, living in the moment allows you to stay focused on your goals and recognise the privileges you possess. Living in the present is about embracing the fleeting moment and not dwelling on the regrets of the past, or the possibilities of the future. This mindset, whilst uncomfortable for some and pointless for others, is a step towards a fulfilling and balanced life. Chahana is a Year 12 student. She is originally from Nepal and is currently studying History, Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics. Keeping up with the challenges that being a student brings, Chahana has a deep interest in mental health and wellbeing and how important that is for a fulfilling life. She will be speaking about what it means to live in the moment.Talk Synopsis: Living in the moment. When was the last time you took a moment to appreciated what was around you? In this fast-paced, ever-changing world, living in the moment allows you to stay focused on your goals and recognise the privileges you possess. Living in the present is about embracing the fleeting moment and not dwelling on the regrets of the past, or the possibilities of the future. This mindset, whilst uncomfortable for some and pointless for others, is a step towards a fulfilling and balanced life. 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

A vibrant, culturally rich account of the entire history of Kudla (Mangaluru), a coastal city in south-western India, known for its diverse traditions, festivals, and cuisine. Mr. Ashwin Shetty, Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering at St Joseph Engineering College, Mangaluru, is a passionate custodian of Tulu Nadu’s cultural heritage. Actively involved in preserving traditions, he participates in indigenous rituals like Bhootha Kola and Yakshagana, showcasing the region's vibrant identity. Renowned for his eloquence in Tulu, he is a sought-after emcee, captivating audiences with his cultural insights. Beyond academia, Ashwin is a dedicated agriculturist and dairy farmer, promoting sustainable practices rooted in local wisdom. Recognized by the Bunts Sangha and other cultural groups, his work reflects a deep commitment to the culture, people, and land of Tulu Nadu. 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