Aarshi Rai
Isn’t it exciting to have influential people popping out of your screens and talking to you directly? Shoolini University embarked on a journey to put this thought into reality. Yes, TEDx was back at Shoolini last week, and that too with a star-studded guest list.
Like the theory, this edition of the TEDx Talk, ‘The Domino Effect’, had roots in the idea that a change in “one behaviour” can create a chain reaction and cause a shift in the behaviours of the rest. Sticking to this line of thought, the distinguished guests poured into the APJ Hall of the university on Saturday. The campus also bustled with school students from Panchkula, Parwanoo and Solan, excited to experience the YouTube famed TEDx Talks ‘Live’.
The key speaker for the event was Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri, a filmmaker and screenwriter known for the famous ‘The Tashkent Files’ and ‘The Kashmir Files’. He graduated from Delhi University with a degree in Commerce and later pursued a postgraduation diploma in Business Management. Though he started his career in advertising, he soon shifted to filmmaking.
After his captivating talk, when asked about his biggest learning in life, he answered, “We have stopped listening… to the sound of nature and ourselves… we are filling our minds with garbage, which is why poetry is dying, so is the beauty of nature and human beings. This is why,” he said on a pensive note, “we are becoming dehydrated, second-hand people. I believe everything begins with hearing and learning.”
Another renowned speaker, film and television actor Shishir Sharma was once a banker and then debuted with the television series ‘Fauji’ in 1988. He has been active as a social worker and works with various NGOs.
The event was also graced by the sensational tabla performance by President awardee Anuradha Pal, who recently performed at the DIOR Fashion Week at The Gateway of India, Mumbai. Padma Shri awardee and social activist Dr Niru Kumar, Ex-IPS Officer Manjari Jaruhar and Flim Journalist Manju Ramanan shared their life stories and their journey to success, while Saachi Dhillon shared some insights from her book ‘Dreaming of Everest’, which tells the story of this explorer and notes from her 130-km trek to the Everest Base Camp.
Another motivating speaker all students loved was Simarpreet Singh, an Indian entrepreneur. The CEO of Hartek Group’s Manufacturing Division and Rooftop Solar Division, he is constantly working towards a Sustainable India.
His accolades include recognition in Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia for his work in clean energy and sustainability and many more.
The collective efforts of the students of the university played a huge role in the success of TEDx Talks 2023. Their teamwork brought these speakers under the same roof, where they shared their profound experiences from life and work. This will soon be uploaded on the TEDx Talks YouTube channel. Stay Tuned!