In her talk, Kiran Faheem opens up about a life marked by adversity but defined by perseverance. Growing up with an absent father, a disabled brother, and parents struggling with their own trauma, she was surrounded by instability from an early age. Academic pressure, financial struggles, and unfulfilled dreams added to the weight she carried. When her mother passed away, Kiran fell into depression, confronted with the cycle of generational trauma that threatened to hold her back.But instead of giving in, she resisted. Against all odds, she returned to her education later in life, a decision many would consider too late. She pursued her master’s, continued to an MPhil, and ultimately earned her PhD; her achievements were made possible not because her path was smooth, but because she refused to stop walking it. Alongside her academic pursuits, she built a small business designing clothes, proving that resilience is not only about survival but about creating new opportunities from hardship.Kiran’s story is a testament to the power of persistence: that chasing dreams is not defined by what you couldn’t achieve, but by your ability to rise again after setbacks. Her journey shows that even when the odds are stacked against you, resistance can turn pain into purpose, and perseverance can transform failure into fulfillment. With 14 years of designing experience at her MM Alam Road outlet, a passion for teaching, and hosting at FM 100, Kiran is thrilled to bring her journey to the TEDx stage. With an innate passion for design, she views fashion as a canvas for personal and cultural expression. Through meticulous attention to detail and innovative concepts, Kiran blends fabrics, colors, and textures to tell stories that transcend trends and resonate with individuality. Each piece she creates is a testament to her belief that fashion is more than just clothing—it's a powerful form of artistic expression that empowers and inspires. She is eager to inspire the next generation through her unique story and experiences.“With an innate passion for design, I see fashion as a canvas for personal and cultural expression.Each piece is a testament to my belief that fashion is more than just clothing - it's a form of artistic expression that empowers and inspires”— Kiran 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

In this reflective and empowering talk, Mashal Peerzada invites us to take a closer look at the internal scripts we live by, the quiet assumptions, inherited beliefs, and self-imposed limitations that often go unexamined. Drawing from personal experience and universal insight, she explores the subtle but powerful ways our inner narratives can hold us back, even when they were once meant to protect us.This isn’t about toxic positivity or rewriting reality with blind optimism. It’s about the courage to revise the stories that no longer serve us and the wisdom to know when they’ve expired. Because for our lives to evolve, our narratives must evolve too.Through honest storytelling and a call to deep self-inquiry, this talk reminds us that empowerment doesn’t always begin with action; sometimes, it begins with the question: What story am I telling myself right now, and is it helping me grow? Mashal is a third-generation theatre and film maker who has grown up backstage and on-set. As a child of two worlds, her most passionate belief is the magical power of storytelling in creating inclusive, cross-cultural narratives. She commits her work at Yellow Brick to the idea that the arts empower people and that people can change the world.Trained at The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London and a graduate of the New York Film Academy in Los Angeles, Mashal is a writer and director for theatre and television and has worked across Pakistan, the US, and the UK.Mashal created Xtravaganza, Pakistan's first youth performing arts festival and awards - a mega event that showcased 16 plays in 15 days and culminated in a multi-band concert. She wrote and directed a series of groundbreaking theatre productions, including Can’t You See, the first bilingual play and the first youth production to tackle social justice issues. She has worked with Focus Features and Worldsaway Films in Los Angeles, collaborated with her father Salmaan Peerzada on his film projects Raven & Lenore and Shehrazade: The Untold Story. She has worked with Pakistani film icon Shaan Shahid and on Rafi Peer’s collaboration with Sesame Street USA - Sim Sim Hamara. Most recently Mashal has collaborated with Authentic Artists Collective UK in the creation of gig-theatre production When Mountains Meet, which opened this January at the Celtic Connections Festival in Glasgow and toured across Scotland as part of the Edinburgh Fringe and Aberdeen Performing Arts 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

In this sharp, unflinching talk, Aliza Naqvi tells the story of how she transformed a life shaped by judgment into one defined by purpose; becoming a criminal lawyer not in spite of her past, but because of it. This is not a tale of redemption, but of reclamation; of owning the narrative, embracing complexity, and stepping into the roles we’re told we don’t belong in. A young advocate, TED speaker, and human rights champion, she is passionate about redefining ‘Her Story’ in the legal world. From breaking barriers as a first-generation lawyer to advocating for women’s voices in law, her journey is rooted in challenging patriarchal norms and striving for justice. Through her platform, she sheds light on gender dynamics, human rights, and the need for systemic change in the legal sphere, inspiring others to reimagine equality and empowerment. 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

In her talk, Aisha Eshbani emphasizes that chasing dreams isn’t about what we fail to achieve, but about staying true to what we genuinely care about. She highlights how today’s world often revolves around recognition, awards, and external validation, making it easy to forget the importance of love in our lives.Aisha encourages the audience to focus on the small things that bring joy, to recognize that love never disappears, and to prioritize it over accolades. She points out that books and ideas can be powerful sources of love and inspiration, reminding us that fulfillment comes from doing what we truly love rather than from collecting achievements.Her talk is a call to shift our perspective: value love, value meaning, and let those guide your journey. A literature enthusiast with a deep passion for storytelling, writing, and journalism. She is dedicated to exploring the world through literature, undertaking a project to read a book from every country. This endeavor has garnered recognition in prominent media outlets, including BBC Urdu and the Times of India. In addition, Aisha is a UNICEF Adolescent Champion and an honorary member of the British Council. When not engaged in these pursuits, she can often be found sorting Gujarati archives from the pre-partition era, interviewing elders for folktales, collecting postcards, and more. 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

Do you have a fear of public speaking? Youth speaker Jaiveer Bansal shares his journey of mastering the skill of public speaking by gamifying it - four levels to get you from fear to ferocious! Jaiveer Bansal is a dynamic young thinker, speaker, and Grade 6 student at Shiv Nadar School, where he served as Junior School President (2024–25). A multi-award-winning debater, he has represented India at international forums and won Best Speaker at Australasia Edu Drift three years in a row. Beyond debate, Jaiveer is a budding entrepreneur, artist, and performer, with paintings showcased in exhibitions and appearances on Doordarshan. He also plays squash and drums with passion. Known for his curiosity, kindness, and collaborative spirit, Jaiveer draws inspiration from the world around him—constantly learning, creating, and shaping a future full of possibilities. 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

When you picture a tattoo studio, do you imagine a dark room with neon lights and heavily tattooed men? Artist Utsavi Jhaveri takes us on a journey decolonising the history of tattooing in India, while urging us to reconsider who we label an "artist". Utsavi Jhaveri is a South Asian artist working to reimagine the Indian tattooing industry by centering women’s needs, experiences, and visibility. Through her documentation of street tattooing in India, she also examines how caste, class, and spatial dynamics continue to shape and expand the idea of what a tattoo studio can be. 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