Col. Gopal takes us through a life enriched by travel, books, and heartfelt connections. At 66, his childlike curiosity still lights his path, teaching him to see wonder everywhere. From meeting people around the world to gazing at the stars, he reminds us to look up from our screens, stay present, and cherish the magic in everyday moments. A gentle invitation to live fully—dance, sing, explore, and celebrate the beautiful speck of time we are given Col. Gopal Karunakaran is a senior advisor at the Shiv Nadar Foundation. His belief in education being a tool for social transformation has driven him to absorb a rich and diverse experience across all facets of school education, including policy, academic leadership, operations, and business; and has helped him gain important perspectives on the key drivers of the education sector in India. He has been a member of the National Committee of Education of the Confederation of Indian Industries since 2008. A graduate of the National Defence Academy, Col. Karunakaran spent thirty years in the Indian Army – ten of which were in the insurgency region of Kashmir, including the Siachen Glacier. While with the Army, he was chosen for the United Nations Mission in Kuwait in a multilateral and multicultural environment.He is an M.Phil. and an M.A. from the University of Madras. He joined Shiv Nadar Foundation in 2011. 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