In this insightful TED Talk, Stuti Mishra, Asia Climate Correspondent for The Independent, delivers a powerful narrative on the unfolding climate crisis in Asia. Drawing from her on-the-ground reporting and firsthand experiences, Stuti sheds light on the devastating impacts of climate change on vulnerable communities, including rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and the plight of climate refugees. Stuti Mishra is Asia climate correspondent at The Independent, covering climate crisis and extreme weather events. In this role, she has reported from the United Nations climate summits and has extensively covered various disasters, including Pakistan floods and heatwaves in India. She is particularly interested in stories about environmental justice. Stuti was awarded the Climate Justice Fellowship by Climate Tracker in 2021 and became a member of the Oxford Climate Journalism Network the same 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

“When you find it, you will change the world.” Starting his illuminating session by talking about a great topic like the power of purpose, Deepesh Rajpal shared his personal journey and revealed what drove him to build his huge empire from what seemed like nothing. ‘Adversity is the mother of invention', this stands true for Deepesh, as he informed the audience that it was his mother getting sick, that brought him back to India, away from the US where he was working for his dream companies. His mother’s illness highlighted the lack of understanding in medicine even amongst the highly educated. This realisation sparked a desire in him to create visibility in medication. In his talk, technology emerged as a critical ally. By leveraging modern advancements, he sought to enhance the understanding and visibility of pharmaceuticals, thereby bridging the gap between patient needs and medical knowledge. Deepesh beautifully defined the concept of dharma as the intersection of passion, expertise, and usefulness, which surely encapsulates this journey. Starting from humble beginnings, such as setting up small canopies in local parks, Deepesh was driven by a clear purpose: to educate and empower the community regarding their health choices. “You have to think and you have to build it,” this very approach of his not only attracted initial interest but also fostered loyalty; bringing back more than half of his initial participants for additional support in one of his first endeavours. The compelling nature of his venture caught the attention of investors, leading to significant financial backing despite the absence of a formal pitch. This reflects a deep-seated faith in the vision behind the business. Deepesh’s journey illustrates how knowing your purpose can help you change the world, and that passion goes a long way. Deepesh Rajpal is a prominent entrepreneur & tech visionary renowned for his contributions to the health technology sector. He co-founded Pharmallama, a HealthTech venture, where he focuses on driving innovation & developing scalable healthcare solutions. With a Bachelor's degree in Engineering from the University of Rajasthan and postgraduate studies at Caltech, he has built a solid educational foundation that supports his professional endeavours. His career includes key roles at various companies, such as Med365 & LifCare Pharmacy. His achievements have been recognised through multiple awards, including the Startup Entrepreneur of the Year by India Today - Tech Conclave & the Global Achiever Startup Award for innovation in healthcare. With expertise in software architecture & solutions design, along with certifications like AWS Certified Solutions Architect, Deepesh Rajpal continues to make significant strides in enhancing healthcare through technology. 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

Daksh Jain shared a deeply personal and inspiring story about his quest to transform diabetes management. His groundbreaking innovation—a non-invasive, wearable glucose monitoring device—was born out of his father’s struggles with the disease. Watching his father endure the pain and discomfort of constant needle pricks to check blood sugar levels motivated Daksh to find a better solution. With millions of Indians facing the same invasive routine daily and diabetes cases projected to climb from 5 million to 6 million by 2030, the need for change was urgent. Daksh’s solution is rooted in the science of light polarization. Normally, light travels in all directions, but when polarized, it’s restricted to a single plane. Molecules like glucose can twist this polarized light by specific angles, a phenomenon called optical rotation. Daksh used this principle to develop a way to measure glucose levels by analyzing how light interacts with the skin. To bring this idea to life, he designed a compact, wearable device using photonic crystals—special materials that manipulate light with precision. These crystals work together to navigate the challenges of the skin’s complex layers, which scatter and absorb light. Unlike bulky existing systems, Daksh’s sleek patch or wristband offers a painless, consumer-ready alternative to glucometers and needles. The journey wasn’t easy. Finding the right materials was a major hurdle, but Daksh’s perseverance led him to use electro-optic materials, improving the device’s efficiency. His determination and methodical approach turned a heartfelt idea into a practical, revolutionary solution. Daksh’s message resonated with the audience: no problem is insurmountable if approached with curiosity and empathy. Through his innovation, he envisions a future where diabetes management is simple, accessible, and free of discomfort, offering hope to millions. Daksh Jain is a powerhouse & a beacon for achievements. With honours like an All India Rank 4 in the World Robotics Olympiad Nationals & a distinction in the American Mathematics Competitions up his sleeve. He has also conducted research on 1D photonic crystals & founded ‘GlucoSense’ as an extension of the research to bring painless & noninvasive biosensors to Indian markets & has since raised $20,225 in CSR Funding for R&D. Testimonial to his entrepreneurial spirit, he has won numerous awards in the field of entrepreneurship. His leadership and dedication also extends to his active engagement in school. As the STEM head of the school and the president of the Physics club. A versatile individual, He also enacted as the character Portia in reverse gender adaptation of the play ‘The Merchant of Venice’, as is also actively engaged in community service and has provided health insurance to 91 underprivileged people. 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

“Stars are our only way to look into the universe and beyond” In his enlightening talk, Shivam Narhari shares his deep fondness for the stars, which may be superficially appreciated by us but their scientific value in our lives goes unrecognised. Urbanisation and industrialisation have caused the visibility of stars in our sky to reduce. And why, you may ask, does that matter? It has birthed a problem rarely talked of- light pollution. It refers to the overuse of artificial lights and lack of natural light on the earth. Light pollution is not restricted to sciences, research and people like Shivam, who are enthusiastic about astrophysics and astronomy; it impacts our present and our future. Some insightful examples were how birds need stars to navigate through the sky. Shivam throws light on an experience that is most relatable for us humans- gradually decreasing attention span, focus and drastic changes in behaviour. Through his vast knowledge, Shivam convinces the listeners how light pollution has blinded our way as innovators. Light pollution is not hard to solve but hard to track. Some intelligent measures to reduce it are using motion sensor lights, and sky quality metres that can quantify light pollution and give us accurate data. At the consumers’ level, it is crucial to raise awareness. We must switch off lights when not in use and try to make use more of the natural light resources. Most people don’t know something like light pollution exists. Once our masses are aware, the solutions are easy to implement. Small changes in our way of living make the life of all our species easier. Shivam’s passion about the vastness of the universe resonates with the audience creating a realm of the stars of our future, who will know and will act. Shivam Narhari, with a robust foundation in computer programming, aerospace & technology, has been honoured as the winner of various national level competitions like ISRO’s National Space Innovation Challenge. He has undertaken research about supernova light curves & neutron stars with professors at esteemed colleges like the Oxford University & Harvard University. His leadership at the Astronomy Club, Physics Club and STEM course at Neerja Modi School reflects his determination towards enhancing the minds of his fellows and integrity of purpose. From an early age, he has been playing the piano among large audiences and has also composed MIDI beats through his knowledge over the years. He has Transformer-themed Youtube channel, leading a team of 10 volunteers to spread awareness about the effects of urban light pollution to advocating education for the underprivileged. 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

Gaurang Gadia captivated the audience with a casual, almost conversational monologue that felt less like a speech and more like listening to a close friend spill their journey over a late-night chat.He began where many dreams are born — the school canteen. Amid the chaos of picking drinks and debating who’d pay, he noticed a glaring gap: iced teas without tea, lemonade without real lemons. This casual observation sparked a mission to create healthier, more authentic beverages.Balancing lectures, societies, and events, Gaurang spent evenings learning food science and sourcing ingredients. Friends became taste-testers, as he experimented with honey as a sweetener—long before it was trendy. His big break came at Khan Chacha, an iconic Delhi eatery. Once a place for school hangouts, it became his first distributor, marking a full-circle moment.“Business has highs and lows,” he admitted, emphasizing the importance of acting on ideas—no matter how absurd they seem. At just 19,without prestigious credentials or a business background, Gaurang dared to try. His passion, he stressed, outweighed external validation.His lessons went beyond entrepreneurship. Gaurang highlighted valuing friendships, upskilling, and pursuing projects for passion, not just résumés. When asked about competitors, his humility shone through: “It’s good more people are creating organic products. I can’t handle the entire food industry myself.”Gaurang’s story was more than business—it was about small beginnings and the courage to believe. From backbench chats to distributing his first product, he inspired attendees to act on their wildest ideas. Whether a drink recipe, side hustle, or dream buried in notebooks, he left them with one unshakable message:"Act. The world is shaped by those who dare to try." Gaurang Gadis is the founder of FOMO Brews, a unique iced tea brand featured on Shark Tank, he’s committed to delivering authentic, unadulterated recipes crafted in-house, with ingredients sourced directly from India’s hinterlands. His leadership extends beyond his venture; as the President of the Entrepreneurial Cell at Hansraj College, he spearheaded initiatives to cultivate innovation and business acumen among peers. Additionally, he served as the lead organiser for TEDx Hansraj College, bringing thought-provoking discussions to the campus. A skilled orator with a deep understanding of economics, he delivers insight and clarity to complex topics. His athletic background as a cricketer who trained with the Rajasthan Royals further reflects his dedication, discipline, and teamwork—qualities he leverages in his entrepreneurial journey. His multifaceted experiences continue to fuel his ambition to make a positive mark in both business and society. 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

Tushar Saini made a sharp contrast between the war of old times with the war of today, a sharp distinction between the warrior of the ancient era with the warrior of the future. He took the attendees on a journey through history, tracing the evolution of warfare from the primal struggles of prehistoric man fighting for survival, to the territorial expansions of ancient empires, the colonial conquests, and the industrial revolutions that reshaped economies. After that, he shone light on today's scenarios and the types of wars fought in today's time, which are all centred on economy, GDP and trade. Startups of today are the centre of power and are immensely influential that they have the ability to bend political leaders and stand on their own feet and become changemakers. The war of the past was about spears, the war of the 20th century was about nuclear weapons but the war of today is only about startups. The key takeaway? You don't always have to do something big- start small and start with a smile. Tushar Saini is a dynamic entrepreneur & mentor, recognised for his contribution to India’s startup ecosystem. An SRCC topper and Young Entrepreneur Award winner, he founded CUET Pro, a leading platform for entrance exam preparation. He is a partner at NEOS Angels Network, supporting startups with consultancy and funding. His dedication to fostering innovation led him to establish Nstart, India’s premier high-school incubation centre equipped with advanced resources to support young minds. He also mentors at top institutions like Global Centre for Entrepreneurship and Commerce and Vivekananda Global University, Jaipur, leveraging his expertise with aspiring founders. As City Lead at Headstart, a major grassroots organisation, Tushar drives support for startups across 20+ cities. Passionate about inspiring young entrepreneurs, he has motivated many students to launch their own ventures, actively paving the way for emerging talent. 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