In this powerful and deeply personal talk, Dr. Sridevi Arunachalam shares her journey from being an underestimated young woman to building organizations that empower thousands across borders. From facing rejection and silence to founding global institutions that support students, startups, and changemakers, she reveals how setbacks can be turned into stepping stones. This is not just a story of success — it's a call to break barriers, speak up, and use your voice to create space for others to rise. Because sometimes, your silence isn’t weakness — it’s your spark.Dr. Sridevi Arunachalam is an entrepreneur and education professional involved in multiple organizations. She is the Founder and Managing Director of IIEC, offering overseas education and career guidance services. She also serves as Founding Chairman and President of the Indo-UAE Economic Chamber of Commerce and is the Regional Director for the Korean Universities Admission Centre (KUAC) in India. She leads Canwon International, a branding agency for educational institutions, and is a director at Millions More International. She advises startups through Vel Tech TBI and St. Peter’s Incubation Centre. Dr. Sridevi has received awards including the Priyadarshini Award, Asia Book of Records recognition, and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Dream Trust. 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

Jubal Raffety's speech Jubal Raffety is a thought leader in organizational learning and development, specializing in experiential knowledge transfer as a catalyst for transformation. As the author of The Disembedding Process and The Conscious Expertise Workbook, he explores how individuals and organizations can uncover, articulate, and transfer deep experiential knowledge in ways that drive results and innovation. Jubal currently lives in South Florida, is married, and is the father of two sons. For fun, he is working on an academic research project on “Evidence-Based Human Resource Development.” He also enjoys traveling and gardening. 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. Vee Johnson's speech Dr. Vee Johnson, also known as The EQ Doctor, is on a mission to help people harness the power of emotions and social interaction to drive meaningful change in their lives and organizations. As a transformational strategist and emotional intelligence expert, she works with individuals from all walks of life, including leaders, medical professionals, law enforcement officers, and municipal decision-makers—empowering them and their organizations to reset limiting patterns, realign with their values, and take intentional steps toward growth. An introverted overthinker turned innovator, she blends emotional insight with practical strategy, inviting others to rethink the way they engage with themselves and the world around them. Known for her relatable wisdom and thought-provoking ideas, she inspires people to see change not as a disruption, but as an invitation to lead themselves toward what matters most. 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

Uncertainty isn’t just a feature of markets or weather systems — it’s woven into the very fabric of our lives. In this thought-provoking talk, Dr. Venugopal explores the nature of complex systems and the unpredictability they bring, drawing parallels to the uncertainties we all face personally. With insight and clarity, he offers practical strategies for navigating life’s chaos with resilience and perspective. Because while the future will always be uncertain, how we face it is entirely up to us. Dr. Venugopal is a seasoned business leader and management consultant with over 45 years of experience in corporate India. With a rich career spanning 28 years in senior leadership roles across industries, he has led large-scale transformation initiatives including Business Process Reengineering, ERP implementations, and Total Quality Management. In 2004, he co-founded Krysalis Consultancy, a boutique firm specializing in improving organizational performance through strategic and operational interventions. As MD & CEO, he has advised hundreds of companies, helping leadership teams drive change and achieve sustainable growth. An IIT Kharagpur alumnus with an MBA from Jamnalal Bajaj Institute and a Ph.D. from Anna University, Dr. Venugopal is also a prolific writer and speaker on management. He has authored three books on entrepreneurship, self-leadership, and corporate success, and continues to mentor professionals across sectors through his work in consulting and executive coaching. 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 many systems—schools, workplaces, even families—obedience is often rewarded, while questioning is discouraged. But what happens when following orders causes harm or stifles innovation? This thought-provoking talk explores the concept of intelligent disobedience—the ability to thoughtfully say "no" when it matters most. Drawing from real-world examples and personal insight, the speaker challenges us to rethink how we define discipline, courage, and integrity—and why teaching this skill may be essential for a just and ethical society.Captain Lovely Feranda M is a commercial airline pilot currently flying as Pilot in Command on the Airbus A320 and A321 fleet with IndiGo Airlines. Originally from Kanyakumari district and raised in Chennai, she holds a Bachelor's degree in Computer Applications from Madras Christian College. She began her flying career in the United States, earning her FAA Commercial Pilot License at US Flight Academy in Texas. She returned to India in 2010 to obtain her DGCA license and completed her Airbus A320 type rating at Air India’s training center in Hyderabad. Her professional journey includes flying with Go Airlines as a Junior First Officer, followed by joining IndiGo Airlines in 2015. In 2018, she completed her command training in the UK and has since served as Captain on domestic and international routes. In addition to aviation, she enjoys singing, dancing, and spending time with her family, including her husband—also an airline captain—and their two sons. 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

What holds us back often isn’t lack of knowledge — but the weight of assumptions, both our own and those imposed by others. In this insightful talk, the speaker challenges conventional thinking around education, communication, and personal freedom. By exploring the power of unlearning and the art of asking the right questions, this talk offers practical wisdom on navigating judgments, making conscious choices, and living life on your own terms. Rajalakshmi Srinivasan is a seasoned technology leader with over 25 years of experience at Zoho Corporation. As Director of Product Management, she currently heads the Robotic Process Automation (RPA) product line, driving innovation and execution in a competitive tech landscape.Over the years, she has worked across critical domains including database scaling, network monitoring, application performance, and user experience management. Known for her strategic thinking and ability to transform ideas into scalable products, she has played a key role in the evolution of Zoho’s enterprise offerings.Rajalakshmi is also an active public speaker, engaging with academic and professional audiences on topics such as technology leadership, innovation, and women in tech. She holds a degree in Computer Science from the College of Engineering, Guindy (CEG), Chennai, and is widely recognized for her commitment to mentoring and empowering young professionals in the technology space. 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