Military Heritage & Values | Lt. Gen. Devendra Pratap Pandey | TEDxKIITUniversity
NOTE FROM TED: This talk only represents the speaker’s personal views and experiences in the military. We've flagged this talk because it falls outside the content guidelines TED gives TEDx organizers. TEDx events are independently organized by volunteers. The guidelines we give TEDx organizers are described in more detail here: http://storage.ted.com/tedx/manuals/tedx_content_guidelines.pdfLieutenant General Devendra Pratap Pandey is a decorated veteran of the Indian Army, renowned for his strategic leadership and significant contributions to national security. Commissioned into the 9th Battalion of the Sikh Light Infantry in 1985, he has served with distinction across India's most challenging operational theaters.
His operational commands include the formidable terrains of Siachen, Ladakh, and Kashmir, where he demonstrated exceptional military acumen. As the General Officer Commanding of the Chinar Corps (XV Corps), he spearheaded crucial counter-insurgency operations in the region, showcasing his tactical expertise and leadership under pressure.
An alumnus of both the National Defence Academy (NDA) and Indian Military Academy (IMA), Lt Gen Pandey's illustrious career includes prestigious appointments as Director General of the Territorial Army and Commandant of the Army War College. His exceptional service has been recognized with four distinguished military honors: the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM), Uttam Yuddh Seva Medal (UYSM), Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM), and Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM).
Beyond his military achievements, Lt Gen Pandey exemplifies commitment to social welfare and youth empowerment. His humanitarian initiatives include establishing the Parivar School for specially-abled children and organizing the Kashmir Premier League 2021, demonstrating his dedication to inclusive development and community building. His career embodies the highest ideals of military service combined with compassionate leadership for societal progress. Lieutenant General Devendra Pratap Pandey is a decorated veteran of the Indian Army, known for his strategic leadership and contributions to national security. Commissioned into the 9th Battalion of the Sikh Light Infantry in 1985, he commanded forces in Siachen, Ladakh, and Kashmir, leading key counter-insurgency operations as the General Officer Commanding of the Chinar Corps (XV Corps).
Lt Gen Pandey, an NDA and IMA alumnus, served as DG of the Territorial Army and Commandant of the Army War College. He earned PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, and VSM. Committed to youth empowerment, he led initiatives like the Parivar School for specially-abled children and the Kashmir Premier League 2021. 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
More from TED
- 10:10Geothermal energy: Hope for our energy crisis lies inside the earth | Dr. Rebecca Pearce | TEDxRRUAs the world faces a growing energy crisis, one of the most powerful solutions lies beneath us. This talk uncovers how geothermal energy can provide clean, renewable power for generations. Dr. Rebecca Pearce is a geophysicist by trade and an environmentalist at heart, who has dedicated her career to solving our environmental crisis through renewable energy and clean technologies. She is currently a research fellow at the Cascade Institute, specifically the science lead for the Ultradeep Geothermal Program, where she works with her team to advance next-generation geothermal technologies in Canada and globally. Rebecca received her Ph.D. from University College London in 2020 for her study of geothermal systems in Chile using electromagnetic methods. She has used her expertise to explore for geothermal resources in Northern British Columbia and to lead an electromagnetic survey on a geophysical campaign to the receding Thwaites Glacier in West Antarctica. Rebecca also completed a post-doctoral fellowship at Simon Fraser University, with a focus on applied geophysics for low-impact mining and the geothermal systems of the Garibaldi Belt. 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
- 10:35Zero to Olympics in Five Months: The Power of Showing Up | Rakan Alireza | TEDxRiyadhIn “The Call That Changed My Life,” I share the unlikely journey that took me from avoiding sports as an overweight kid with asthma to qualifying for the Winter Olympics on skis, in Sweden, after just five months of training. When Saudi Arabia launched its first Winter Sports Federation in 2021, I got a call that would alter the course of my life: “Do you want to be one of the first Saudis to try and qualify for the Winter Olympics?” I said yes without hesitation. But before that moment, I had spent years learning how to show up for myself, training not just my body, but my mindset. This talk isn’t just about skiing, or Olympic dreams it’s about the power of persistence, and what happens when you stop running from who you are and start showing up for who you could become. From training in freezing temperatures with no snow experience, to qualifying for Beijing and then being told I couldn't compete due to administrative rules I faced setbacks that could have broken me. But instead, they built me. Now, with a new goal in sight Milano 2026 I’ve come to understand that real success isn’t in the spotlight moments, but in the quiet decision to keep going. I hope this story inspires you to ask yourself the same question that changed everything for me: are you truly showing up for yourself? Rakan Ali Reda is a Saudi athlete and business development professional pursuing a career in rowing and cross-country skiing. He has represented the Kingdom in the Asian Games and qualified for the 2026 Winter Olympics. He believes in forging his own unique athletic path. 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
- 6:43To Detours | Tia Grace | TEDxITE College WestA story of detours and second chances—how being told to ‘stay in your lane’ led instead to discovering new strengths, new passions and a future rebuilt on her own terms. Once told she wasn’t “the study type,” she turned detours into direction — now designing, coding, and building a future on her own terms. 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
- 7:28The Art of Back-Up Plans | Vashti Eliya Baylan | TEDxITE College WestAn exploration of the art of backup plans—why they’re not about failure, but about respect, adaptability and creating something meaningful when life pivots. A hospitality student with a planner’s mind and an artist’s heart, she champions backup plans—not as signs of failure, but as acts of care, creativity, and quiet resilience. 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
- 9:12Before the Jump | Titus Lim | TEDxITE College WestA story about taking leaps of faith—trying the unfamiliar, facing fears and discovering freedom through curiosity and courage. An adventurous learner who went from coding Roblox games to conquering stage fright — one leap of faith (and parkour jump) at a time. 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
- 8:53Foundations | Laetitia Ruoyun Lim | TEDxITE College WestA reflection on slowing down in a fast-paced world and how unseen people and unnoticed moments can shape who we become. A former straight-A chaser turned quiet observer, she now finds power in stillness, honouring the unseen people and sacred moments that shaped her. 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