Have you ever looked at an ordinary object and seen something extraordinary? In this deeply moving talk, grief speaker Charlene Lam shares a personal story about a simple bottle of soy sauce and how its meaning transformed after the sudden loss of her mother. Explore the universal experience of loss and grief, and find inspiration for living a full and joyful life, even with the knowledge that death and pain are inevitable. This talk is a poignant exploration of love, loss, memory, and finding a way forward.Charlene Lam is an artist, curator, and the founder of The Grief Gallery. Her work focuses on creating and making beautiful space for grief, and helping people to find their own pathways to rebuilding their lives after major loss. As curator of The Grief Gallery® Charlene presents exhibitions internationally featuring the belongings of loved ones lost, including installations in Los Angeles, New York City, and London. She's shared her life-affirming Curating Grief® approach with thousands of grievers through her individual client work, exhibitions, events, and talks. She’s the author of the book Curating Grief: A Creative Guide to Choosing What to Keep After a Loved One Dies.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

Dishha Dhhaka reveals why traditional success often feels empty without true alignment in life. It explores five key dimensions - career, relationships, wealth, health, and self; showing how neglecting even one dimension leads to imbalance, burnout, or restlessness. Through powerful insights, it emphasizes that success is not a checklist but a personal definition that evolves over time. Real fulfillment comes not from chasing more, but from aligning deeply with what truly matters. Dishha Dhhaka is a Transformation and Divination Expert, and Reiki GrandMaster, known for merging ancient mystical sciences with practical frameworks for modern living. An MBA by education, she began her career in the corporate world before finding her deeper purpose in Tarot, Numerology, and Astrology. She is the founder of AskDishaa and the Vedika Mystical Sciences Institute, and the creator of The Dishha Reset Program: The Inner CEO Mastery, a system that empowers individuals to reprogram subconscious patterns and realign life across career, relationships, wealth, health, and self. Through her programs, Dishha has guided thousands of clients and trained hundreds of students worldwide to achieve meaningful, sustainable transformation. 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

Dr. Reshma Khan emphasizes why mental wellbeing must become non-negotiable in our schools, workplaces, and homes. Through moving stories of children, employees, and families silenced by stress or criticism, she shows how a “blocked mind” can halt life itself. She argues that just as we invest in education and fitness, we must normalize regular mental health workshops to build resilience, compassion, and strength. Her vision is to create a world where every mind feels safe, supported, and free. Dr. Reshma Khan is a renowned Psychotherapist, Author, and International Mind-Body Therapist dedicated to transforming lives. Known as Mumbai’s first stressed mind healer, she specializes in eliminating stress, anxiety, depression, and emotional trauma without medication. She empowers children, youth, and adults to build resilience, emotional intelligence, and inner peace. Having helped hundreds of families overcome emotional struggles, Dr. Khan’s mission is to make mental wellbeing non-negotiable in everyday life. Her practical blend of psychotherapy, NLP, and holistic mind-body therapies has created lasting impact across diverse communities. 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

Srishti Sharma has beautifully captured the struggle of balancing passion with practicality. Through her journey from a child enchanted by books to a published teen author, then a science student torn between societal expectations and her love for writing, she reveals the pain of silenced dreams and the healing power of words. She urges us not to abandon our passions for survival but to carve new paths where both dreams and responsibilities can coexist. Srishti Sharma is a fourth year veterinary student from GADVASU with a strong passion for animal health and welfare. Serving as the Vice President of IVSA Ludhiana, she has organised many events for the organisation and has constantly been using her skills for helping the voiceless. Beyond her academic pursuits she is an exemplary writer and poet. Also an avid reader, Srishti started writing at eleven and has never looked back since then. Already having two books to her credit, she wishes to contribute great work to the literary field. 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

From leading India’s junior squash rankings to running complex simulations at Yale, Rohan Gondi has lived in two worlds: the discipline of sport and the unpredictability of science. In this talk, he reflects on the Paradox of Plenty—how abundance of choices, opportunities, and even information can overwhelm us, whether on the squash court, in a lab experiment, or in everyday decisions shaped by AI. Blending personal experience with insights from systems thinking and research, he explores how to stay focused, resilient, and authentic when faced with too much of everything. An Oakridge alumnus (CBSE 2024) and national-level squash champion, Rohan Gondi achieved a No.1 national ranking in the under-19 category. He now pursues biochemical engineering at Yale University while continuing his passion for squash. 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