Skip to main content
Chicago Employee homeVideos home
View Video

The Mind of a Maker: Dreams Don’t Need Degrees | Jahangir Shaikh | TEDxMahindraUniversity

What if your biggest limitations were actually your greatest tools? In this powerful TEDx talk, innovator and grassroots inventor Jahangir Shaikh shares his extraordinary journey from school dropout to self-made technologist with over 35 patented inventions—without any formal engineering education.Raised in a modest home and working as a car painter to support his family, Jahangir’s curiosity and instinct for jugaad (creative problem-solving) transformed everyday challenges into groundbreaking ideas. Whether it was fixing a broken umbrella or building a prototype machine in his garage, every invention became a step toward a greater mission: to build, inspire, and democratize innovation for the common person.With humility, grit, and undeniable brilliance, Jahangir reveals how the true mind of a maker isn’t measured by degrees, but by courage, curiosity, and purpose. This talk isn’t just about machines—it’s about human potential. It’s a call to every dreamer who has ever felt left out of the system: you don’t need permission to create change.Because when you believe in your ideas, and back them with action—dreams don’t need degrees. Jahangir Shaikh, a visionary scientist and innovator, has revolutionized the world with over 35 groundbreaking inventions, using science for societal betterment. His exceptional contributions earned him the prestigious National Award from the National Innovation Foundation (NIF) in 2007, presented by Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam at Rashtrapati Bhavan.Honored by esteemed figures like Dr. Raghunath Mashelkar, former President Pratibha Patil, Delhi’s former Chief Minister Sheila Dixit, and filmmaker James Cameron, Jahangir Shaikh's impact extends beyond borders. Acknowledged by social activist Anna Hazare and advocate Ujjwal Nikam, he is fondly known as the ‘Real-Life Rancho,’ inspiring Bollywood’s 3 Idiots.A true pioneer of innovation, Jahangir Shaikh's journey continues to inspire the world. Join him in his mission to harness science for a brighter, better tomorrow. 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

13-18 of 50
Loading