TEDx Dikshant inspires young minds with ideas worth spreading

TEDx Dikshant School successfully hosted an exceptional line-up of eight diverse and accomplished speakers from various fields at an independently organised TED event held here.

The speakers at Punjab Kala Bhawan, Sector 16, Chandigarh, shared their experiences, life stories, and insights with an eager and engaged audience. The impressive array of talks covered a wide range of subjects, ensuring a captivating and thought-provoking experience for all attendees.

Advertisement

Setting the tone for the occasion, Mitul Dikshit, Chairman, Dikshant Schools, said, “The TEDx platform is one of the most sought-after platforms across the globe. It is our honour to host stalwarts from diverse fields.”

He further added, “Through TEDx Dikshant School, we aim to provide a forum for youngsters to gain insights and perspectives that inspire them to contribute to society in meaningful ways. Such activities greatly boost students’ morale.”

Poonam Dhanwatey, wildlife conservationist and Co-Founder Trustee of the Tiger Research and Conservation Trust, left the audience—comprising mostly students—in awe. Poonam, an international awardee, said, “Human life owes a lot to wildlife, without which we cannot dream of a meaningful existence.”

Dr Veerendra Mishra, an IPS officer and author focusing on human trafficking and transgender rights, remarked, “Youngsters shouldn’t get bogged down by the flood of advice coming from both real people and the digital world. Sometimes advice pushes us into destructive competition. EQ is more important than IQ in this fast-changing world, and EQ can be enhanced through meaningful and mindful volunteering.”

Yashovardhan Jha Azad, a former IPS officer and Special Director, Intelligence Bureau, who also served as Secretary (Security), Government of India, urged the audience to dream big and turn those dreams into reality. He encouraged the youth to take lessons from school as guides for the future and to live with compassion, sensitivity, art, music, and nature.

Ambuj Kumar, CEO, Social Venture Partners (SVP) India, a leading platform promoting philanthropy in the country, shared, “My work in the social impact sector—where my organisation and I focus on improving the lives of underprivileged communities—has been deeply fulfilling.”

Tarang Tripathi, Co-Founder, Aawaaz Education Services, spoke on AI in Education. He said, “AI in education holds both promise and peril—it can personalise learning and empower teachers, but it also has the potential to deepen inequalities and erode authentic human connection.”

Sharing his thoughts with the youngsters, Rahul Kulshreshtha, CEO, Wide Angle Technologies, who has worked with leading figures in the news industry such as Prannoy Roy and Raghav Bahl, advised, “Don’t take hasty decisions. Whatever you do, give it your best. Never fear the unexpected. Life rarely follows a straight line, but if you embrace uncertainty, stay curious, and give yourself wholeheartedly, you’ll see how magic unfolds.”

Leena Malhotra, a teacher at Dikshant International School, and Harshita Bhatia, a student of the same institution, also captivated the audience with their talks. The prestigious event was divided into three engaging sessions, with each distinguished speaker delivering a 20-minute talk that encouraged the audience to think differently and act with purpose.