What if schools were built around children instead of forcing children to fit into schools? M.R. Ananth’s talk explores Kaliyuva Mane, a transformative learning space that nurtures children who don’t fit into conventional education: those who’ve dropped out, struggled with rigid systems, or never had access to schooling at all. More than a school, it’s a home for learning, where curiosity thrives beyond textbooks and every child’s unique journey is valued. This talk challenges our understanding of education and asks: Are we educating children, or just schooling them? M.R. Ananth Kumar is a compassionate leader dedicated to transforming the lives of marginalized children through education. He works with Kaliyuva Mane, a unique school for children overlooked by conventional education systems. Ananth Kumar believes every child has potential, and he nurtures this at Kaliyuva Mane by creating a supportive environment where students can regain confidence and envision brighter futures.Kaliyuva Mane emphasizes hands-on learning and personalized education, addressing the emotional and psychological needs of each child. Ananth Kumar sees students as individuals, not statistics, and his approach fosters resilience and empowerment. His commitment extends beyond academics; he advocates for a broader shift in societal perceptions of marginalized children. 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

Sheds light on the etymology of change, how change is necessary, and must be accepted with open arms. Also utilizes examples which demonstrate how change is necessary to grow and to move ahead in life. Nanda Dulal Das, has been a strong believer of education for transformation of youth. With an approach with a special emphasis on application than mere knowledge, he truly aims to educate and transform and connect with a person's inner being with the help of concepts learned. Over a period of roughly 1.5 decades his approach has led to all-round development of many individuals. 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

Sheena Singhania shares her inspiring journey of transforming her childhood passion for baking into a Forbes-recognized career, where she is now ranked among the Top 10 Bakers in India. She begins with a nostalgic reflection on childhood—how time flies when you’re having fun—highlighting that true passion makes work feel effortless and rewarding. Raised in a small town in a family of bakers, she naturally picked up baking skills. However, despite scoring 96% in her board exams, which opened numerous academic opportunities, she felt uninspired. She longed for a career that excited her daily. Her breakthrough moment came when, during her final year of college, she met a woman at the gym who introduced her to the Culinary Institute of America in New York. Encouraged by her brother, she secretly applied behind her parents' backs. This decision changed her life—it was where she mastered the science of baking, learning about the chemistry of ingredients and perfecting her craft. Returning to India, she started seeing the world differently—even spending hours admiring flowers, analyzing their colors, textures, and patterns, and figuring out how to incorporate them into cake designs. Her love for drawing led her to create edible artwork on cakes. While success came, so did struggles. She was so engrossed in her work that she skipped meals, eventually landing in the hospital multiple times. She also faced heavy criticism but learned to treat it as feedback rather than letting it discourage her. Sheena shares key lessons on turning talent into a profitable career: 1. Start Small – Understand the market gaps before launching big. 2. Let Creativity Grow Gradually – Don’t rush execution; build momentum slowly. 3. Be Clear About Your Goals – Have a defined vision for your career path. 4. Prioritize Self-Care – Even on busy days, take time for something you love. 5. Hire the Right People – The right team can make or break your business. 6. Think Outside the Box – Creativity is key to standing out. 7. Never Compromise on Quality – Stick to your values, and customers will come to you. She concludes by encouraging everyone to turn their skills into opportunities and pursue their passion without fear of failure. Sheena Singhania, founder of Project Cake by Sheena, is a renowned cake artist blending art and flavor. A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, she’s been featured in Forbes India and Cake Masters. Known for her luxurious 24-carat gold-plated cakes, she redefines creativity in baking. 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

Angad Talwar shares a fresh perspective on leadership, explaining how its meaning has evolved over time. Today, true leaders support from behind, empowering others rather than seeking the spotlight. He takes us through his personal journey, growing up in a typical middle-class Punjabi joint family and getting the opportunity to pursue his undergraduate studies in the USA. At just 17 years old, he boarded his first-ever flight, stepping out of his comfort zone. This, he says, was his first leadership lesson—courage. True leaders must be willing to take risks and embrace the unknown. Studying in an expensive American college, he found himself surrounded by Indian peers from wealthy business families, while he came from a middle-class background. Yet, rather than feeling discouraged, he tapped into his entrepreneurial spirit. He started importing Indian textbooks and selling them in the U.S., making a good amount of money. However, his second leadership lesson was about seeing the bigger picture rather than chasing short-term gains. Even though the business was profitable enough to pay off his student debt, he chose to return to India with zero money and start over. This was one of the biggest decisions of his life, and at times, he questioned whether it was the right one. But, he learned that failure is inevitable, and his third leadership lesson was about resilience. A true leader does not break down in the face of failure; they adapt, learn, and keep moving forward. Finally, he leaves us with a powerful thought—"Kings may or may not be leaders, but kingmakers always are." Leadership is not about being in power; it’s about creating and empowering others to succeed. Through his own journey of courage, vision, and resilience, Angad Talwar inspires us to redefine what it truly means to lead. Founder of CosIQ and alumnus of Southern Methodist University.Passionate about revolutionizing the skincare industry, Angad and his team focus on creating innovative, scientifically proven products. Featured in the first season of Shark Tank India, CosIQ secured one of the season's first successful deals, marking a significant milestone in his journey to redefine skin care. He has been a serial entrepreneur around D2C space till now created 3 successful startups around D2C space. 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

The rising academic pressure in India has led to an alarming increase in student suicides, exposing deep flaws in our education system. From childhood, we are conditioned to chase grades, colleges, and jobs, yet millions graduate yearly with limited opportunities. The real issue isn’t just competition but the lack of awareness about alternative paths—where upskilling can unlock global opportunities beyond traditional degrees. Even a 10th-grade student in a remote village can earn dollars through the right skills, yet many college students remain unaware of such possibilities. Drawing from my own journey, this talk explores how shifting focus from blind competition to smart upskilling can help students break free from pressure, find purpose, and secure real success. Arsh Goyal is a Senior Software Engineer at Samsung and was recognized as a LinkedIn Top Voice 2024 for his contributions to Generative AI. With a background in space technology as a former ISRO engineer, Arsh has consistently demonstrated excellence in his field, further evidenced by his status as a Gold Medalist from NIT Jalandhar.Beyond his professional accomplishments, Arsh is passionate about education and community building. He serves as an educator on Unacademy and is an active participant in the competitive coding community on CodeChef. His engaging content across YouTube and Instagram has garnered a following of over 200k, where he shares his insights on technology, coding, and career growth. 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

大学３年次に初海外でアフリカへ。「アフリカ現地で仕事がしたい」という漠然とした思いを胸に帰国するも、その後の就職活動で自分にも企業にも嘘をついてしまう偽りの自分に気付く。様々な葛藤の末、就職間近で内定を辞退。再びアフリカへ渡航し新卒でケニアのスタートアップへの就職を決断。その経験をもとに、不確定な未来に囚われず、自分に嘘をつかず、正直に行動する。そんな「今」を生きるという道を提案する。 異文化コミュニケーション学部4年/株式会社HAKKI AFRICA 経営企画室。大学3年次に、初海外でアフリカ大陸を一人旅。その後、ケニアの日系スタートアップにインターンとして参画。後に入社。 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