Nine speakers engage in a lively conversation

Mysuru: TED is a non-profit organisation devoted to the spirit of ‘ideas worth spreading.’ The TEDx programme by TED helps communities, organisations and individuals to spark conversation and connection through local TED-like experiences.

TEDxGokulam, Mysuru’s first area based TEDx event, was the idea originated over a cup of tea in a small café off K.D. Road, says K.M. Kaushal, the event organiser. The idea was for a simulation of TED like talks at MICA College which took the form of the official event.

Initiated, organised and curated by city’s prominent educational institution, MICA’s students and alumni, TEDxGokulam hosted nine speakers, exploring diverse topics, on June 2 at Hotel Radisson Blu Plaza in city with the theme, “The Strength of a Grain of Sand.”

TEDxGokulam’s speakers were powerful voices from within the city and across the country. Jay Alani, Paranormal Investigator, Patna, spoke on various myths around paranormal activity. Renowned conservationist and naturalist Praveen Bhargav explained the powers the Indian Constitution granted to every citizen to fight for a public cause like the journey of saving Kudremukh forest belt from the tragedies of iron ore mining.

Amy Mehta and Audrey Maben, mother-daughter pilot duo, explored the world of hobby flying while Charles Ma, noted Bharatanatyam artiste of Chinese ancestry, explored the metaphor of dance and life, the power of art to transcend stereotype, supported by a performance.

M.N. Ponnamma, Principal and Mentor at MICA,  presented a new perception to mothering, which she calls un-mothering. She dwelt on the importance of objectivity in every relationship towards building a stronger society, while Aishwarya Sunaad, student entrepreneur and writer, presented verbal abuse as the least acknowledged form of abuse against women and explored the reasons behind slut shaming & stereotyping women.

Adarsh Sudindra introduced future of classroom education the world over must take to deliver impactful learning. Nagendra Kashyap, AGM, BEML, with his riveting story of bouncing back at life and becoming a gold medal para-rifle shooter — all in a period of 8 months after losing both legs in a Railway accident in May 2017, stunned the audience with his courage.

Anup Bhandari, Director, Rangitaranga, which went on to change Kannada cinema’s route map in the cinema world, in an engaging talk about his journey to becoming an award-winning film and music director from an IT professional, concluded the event on a lively note.