Voices of Tomorrow: Highlights from TEDxYouth@WBS

What an incredible journey it has been hosting the sixth edition of TEDxYouth@WBS! It was truly an honor to curate an event that brought together such remarkable individuals shaping our world with their ideas and actions. As the lead organizer for the event, I have realized that TED Conferences isn’t just about sharing ideas—it is about the journey of learning, passion, and powerful connections. The cherry on top was witnessing the fruition of the successful event after months of effort in securing the license and bringing it all together.

Each of the five speakers left an indelible mark on me: 

Lessons from a Journalist’s Journey by Sayeed Ansari

Meeting Sir Sayeed Ansari, a journalist I grew up watching on television, was surreal. His calm strength, drawn from over two decades in Indian media, reminded me of the integral role of persistence and passion in the future. His encouragement to “keep trying in life in order to succeed” has stayed with me long after the event ended. Mr. Sayeed Ansari’s attitude was completely unexpected. He was certainly perceived as a tough, critical professional who presented facts in the most appealing manner on television. But beneath all that, what I saw in the little conversations we had was a very friendly figure—something that was reflected in his talk as well, easing the tension of a purely professional event with his skill in connecting with children.

Watch ‘Fail to Succeed : Lessons from a Journalist’s Journey by Sayeed Ansari Now!

Fail to Succeed: Lessons from a Journalist’s Journey | Sayeed Ansari | TEDxYouth@WBS

Empowering the Visually Impaired by Tiffany Brar

Ma’am Tiffany Brar moved me deeply. Her courage, clarity, and drive to uplift the visually impaired were not just inspiring—they were humbling. Speaking with her backstage, I saw a leader who lives what she advocates. Her resilience and focus on ‘inclusivity in attitude’ are something I hope to carry forward in my journey. What I truly loved about her talk was the straightforward nature of her language, using her real-life experience to truly ignite the spirit of empathy for people with disabilities. She also challenged the stereotypical notions attached to the blind community. She showed how real changemakers are not decided on the basis of their sex, race, caste, religion, or even having any disabilities. It is only with action that true change can be driven into society.

Watch ‘Lighting the Path: Empowering the Visually Impaired by Tiffany Brar Now!

Lighting the Path: Empowering the Visually Impaired | Tiffany Brar | TEDxYouth@WBS

From Homo Sapiens to Homo Spacians: Bridging Heritage and Astronomy by Amitabh Pandey

Sir Amitabh Pandey, a name I knew as a space enthusiast, became a mentor figure to me in those brief yet profound conversations. His belief in blending heritage with science, and going to the depths of the transition from homo erectus to homo sapiens to homo spacians, echoed my aspirations in science communication and outreach. I am truly excited to work with him in the future and visit the Aryabhata observatories that Mr. Amitabh Pandey has so affectionately worked upon.

Watch ‘From Homo Sapiens to Homo Spacians: Bridging Heritage and Astronomy by Amitabh Pandey’ Now!

From Homo Sapiens to Homo Spacians: Bridging Heritage and Astronomy | Amitabh Pandey | TEDxYouth@WBS

One Pond at a Time: A Journey of Environmental Revival by Ramveer Tanwar

Sir Ramveer Tanwar—the “Pond Man of India”—is living proof that meaningful change can begin with a single, determined step. As someone who cares deeply about environmental responsibility, I felt inspired by his grassroots movement that has revived nearly 80 ponds across India. I believe Mr. Ramveer Tanwar’s talk inspired me the most—he truly stood as the epitome of hard work and responsibility, along with challenging social stigmas, on bodies of water that the country of 150 Crore Population had ignored for so long. I hope to join the ‘Pond Warriors’ movement with you soon, sir!

Watch ‘One Pond at a Time: A Journey of Environmental Revival by Ramveer Tanwar’ Now!

One Pond at a Time: A Journey of Environmental Revival | Ramveer Tanwar | TEDxYouth@WBS

Emotional Intelligence: The Human Edge in the age of AI by Bhaskar Indrakanti

And finally, Sir Bhaskar Indrakanti reminded us all that in a world increasingly driven by artificial intelligence, emotional intelligence is our superpower. This wasn’t the first time I met Mr. Bhaskar Indrakanti. I had invited him for a workshop on Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) at the IPSC Service Project 2025: Mohini Maitre Dignity in Humility. His energetic and engaging personality, along with the vast knowledge that he has, was truly phenomenal, and thus was the reason that I invited him for the TEDxYouth@WBS as well. His calm energy, creative insights, and empathy-based leadership challenged me to think about how we build better human connections in our work and lives. Of course, it also helped me remove the doubts of a machine replacing me in the future!

Watch ‘Emotional Intelligence: The Human Edge in the age of AI by Bhaskar Indrakanti’ Now!

Emotional Intelligence: The Human Edge in the age of AI | Bhaskar Indrakanti | TEDxYouth@WBS

It was also a great honour to welcome Lieutenant General P.C. Bhardwaj, our Vice Chairman, whose presence elevated the occasion. It was a moment of immense pride for me personally and for the entire school community. A heartfelt thank you to Ma’am Sangeeta Kain, our Principal, whose unwavering support and trust made it possible for me to lead such an initiative. Her encouragement throughout this journey helped me push my boundaries and lead with confidence.

Organizing TEDxYouth@WBS came with its fair share of challenges that tested both my leadership and resilience. One of the biggest hurdles was the rigorous process of acquiring the official TEDx license, which demanded precision, planning, and multiple rounds of documentation and review. Coordinating with speakers across diverse professional backgrounds and languages, along with ensuring their availability and comfort, was another complex task, requiring adaptability and persuasive communication. Managing a team of volunteers, staying on top of logistics, and balancing academic responsibilities simultaneously often felt overwhelming. Technical glitches during rehearsals, venue management issues, and the pressure of meeting TEDx’s strict branding guidelines added to the stress. Yet, every challenge became a lesson in crisis management, teamwork, and perseverance, making the successful execution all the more rewarding.

Hosting a TEDx event is a fulfilling but detailed process that starts with passion and commitment. First, apply for a TEDx license through TED’s official website, ensuring you meet their eligibility criteria and submit a clear vision for your event. Once approved, begin planning the theme and event format (e.g., TEDxYouth, TEDxSalon). Build a team to handle curation, logistics, design, and communications. Begin reaching out to potential speakers—look for individuals with compelling ideas and authentic stories aligned with your theme. After securing speakers, focus on venue planning, stage design, branding (as per TEDx guidelines), and acquiring necessary technical equipment for recording and live streaming. Promote the event on social media, design a registration process, and hold speaker rehearsals to fine-tune their talks. On the event day, ensure smooth coordination among all teams. After the event, upload the talks to the TEDx platform for approval and sharing with a global audience. Patience, attention to detail, and love for meaningful conversations are key to a memorable TEDx experience. If I can conduct an event successfully, I am certain that you can do that as well