In India, we often imagine the power of technology through the lens of shiny IT hubs and elite coders. But as Praveen Srivatsa shows, the real digital revolution is unfolding in unexpected places, temples livestreaming rituals over WhatsApp and UPI, fishermen boosting their incomes with mobile auctions, and rural students learning with AI tutors. These stories reveal how innovation, when made accessible, can radically transform lives.Mr. Praveen Srivatsa at TEDx IIHMRU, Jaipur, shared his vision of “Democratizing Innovation for Social Impact.” He argues that true progress lies not in dependence on big tech providers but in building local capacity, empowering communities to create, adapt, and sustain solutions for themselves. His work with young non-engineering graduates who have developed AI-driven tools for schools, NGOs, and healthcare illustrates that talent and ingenuity exist everywhere, if only given the chance.He imagines a future where micro-innovation centers flourish across India’s 800 districts, bridging startups, CSR initiatives, senior mentors, and grassroots innovators to drive inclusive growth. Learn how democratizing technology can shift innovation from the hands of a few to the power of many.Praveen Srivatsa is the Founder-Director of Thinkar Foundation, a social impact-driven organization fostering open-source platforms and micro-innovation labs across India. He is a technologist, mentor, and thought leader passionate about reimagining how innovation can empower communities. Praveen Srivatsa is a champion of community-driven innovation and a seasoned consultant bridging business, technology, and social impact. As Founder of Thinkar Foundation, he trains rural students in AI/ML and emerging technologies, empowering them to solve challenges in education and local development. Alongside this grassroots work, Praveen mentors startups and enterprises, guiding teams on ideation, product design, go-to-market strategies, and fundraising. On the technology front, he architects intelligent, planet-scale solutions across Cloud, Big Data, DevOps, AI/ML, IoT, and Cognitive Services on Azure, AWS, Google, and IBM Cloud. Over the past decade, he has worked on innovations like robotic medical devices, cognitive video-based assessment systems, and digital health platforms. On the TEDx stage, he shares his vision of using technology as a catalyst for inclusive progress, where rural youth and startups alike co-create resilient, impactful solutions for the future. 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

We often celebrate new medical discoveries and public health breakthroughs, but what happens when proven solutions don’t reach the people who need them most? In her talk, Dr. Piyusha shows how Implementation Research bridges the gap between knowledge and practice, ensuring that lifesaving strategies actually work in real-world contexts.Drawing from her experience with the global STRIPE project on polio eradication and her work training changemakers across Asia and Africa, she highlights the importance of context, stakeholder engagement, and knowledge translation in public health. Her vision is to empower Implementation Research, enabling communities to overcome barriers, achieve faster results, and transform health systems.Dr. Piyusha Majumdar is a global public health leader, educator, and implementation science expert with experience working alongside WHO, Johns Hopkins University, and international partners to promote health equity. She currently serves as an Associate Professor at IIHMR University, Jaipur. Dr. Piyusha Majumdar, Associate Professor at IIHMR University’s SD Gupta School of Public Health, believes research should drive real change for communities. With over a decade of experience in consultancy, development management, marketing research, and public health, she brings a unique perspective to solving critical health challenges. Beyond academia, she builds bridges between global research and grassroots outcomes, co-leading projects with Johns Hopkins, partnering with WHO/TDR, and serving as Co-Principal Investigator for the STRIPE Project. At IIHMR, she leads the Center for Implementation Science (CCIS), mentoring students to design practical, evidence-based solutions. Her expertise spans maternal and child health, HIV/AIDS, nutrition, gerontology, and emergency services. On the TEDx stage, she shares her vision of turning science into action—showing how evidence, rooted in empathy, can transform health outcomes and empower lives. 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 powerful talk, the Jas Kalra shares the stark reality of caring for abandoned senior citizens. Many of these parents, once respected professionals, are left behind by their own children—sometimes tied to shelter gates or abandoned in ambulances. The stories are heart-breaking: frail bodies, untreated wounds, and children who refuse even to claim their parents’ ashes. Jas recounts his personal journey—how he inherited the responsibility of running a shelter after his father’s passing. With no government aid or foreign support, he and his team now care for over 1,400 abandoned parents, guided not by passion but by duty, which he calls the highest human honour. His message is clear: service is not about grand gestures, but small acts of compassion—visiting an elder, helping a neighbour, or simply calling your parents. Through shared responsibility, he believes we can create a society rooted in compassion. Jas Kalra joined The Earth Saviours Foundation as Vice President in August 2021 at just 21 years old, working under the inspiring leadership of his father, the organisation’s President. Tragically, only four months later, in December 2021, his father passed away, leaving Jas to shoulder the immense responsibility of caring for 450 people. Despite this sudden loss, Jas committed himself wholeheartedly to the Foundation’s mission. Under his leadership, the organisation now provides care for over 1,400 abandoned senior citizens, mentally disabled individuals, and deprived women—whom he describes as “super-privileged” for their remarkable resilience. In honour of his father’s vision, Jas is spearheading the construction of what will be the world’s largest free-of-cost shelter home, designed to accommodate 5,000 residents. Supported by a tireless team and the blessings of well-wishers, his dedication ensures the Foundation’s mission of selfless service continues to grow stronger each day. 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 speech, Rani Maheshwari speaks of her incredible journey from a small, conservative city to becoming an Ironman finisher. She recalls how life seemed to confine her to the roles of wife and mother at the young age of 20, yet she refused to let that define her limits. Step by step, she ventured into running, cycling, and endurance sports, finally completing her first Half-Ironman in Dubai. But her path was far from smooth—three back-to-back DNFs tested her spirit. Instead of quitting, she embraced failure as a stepping stone, reminding us that “failure is the tuition fee for success.” Rani’s triumph in the Bahrain Half-Ironman and later in the full Ironman at Hamburg showed how persistence, consistency, and courage can transform setbacks into victories. Her story beautifully illustrates the philosophy of success: it is not a destination, but a journey of resilience, learning, and unwavering determination. Passion is what makes life meaningful, it ignites the soul, fuels the mind, and pushes boundaries. True leadership lies in inspiring others to dream, learn, and achieve more, and she embodies that spirit in every role she takes on. A dynamic personality, she is a Lawyer managing her husband’s legal firm in Gurgaon, a Model featured in print, advertisements, and videos, an Actress and Theatre Artist who has performed across stages including playing Sita in Ramleela before 10,000+ people live on TV. Her creativity flows as an Artist through oil paintings, while her adventurous side shines as a Trekker conquering Everest Base Camp and Kedarkanth peak. She is also a Runner, completing various marathons and half marathons. Above all, she is an Ironman, having conquered Ironman Hamburg in 15 hours and multiple 70.3 races including Dubai and Bahrain, proving her endurance with 3.8 km swims, 180 km rides, and a 42 km marathon. 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

Alieza Singh’s deeply personal talk redefines success, emphasizing resilience and self-growth over perfection and universal approval. She candidly recounts her teenage struggles with bullying, isolation, and the pressure to fit in, painting a vivid picture of the emotional rollercoaster of adolescence. A pivotal conversation with her father helped her realize that nothing stood between her and her ideal self except her own fears. This shift empowered her to stop chasing validation and start investing in academics, extracurriculars, and self-improvement. Even when she ran for student council and narrowly lost, Alieza found strength in failure, reframing it as a necessary part of growth. With maturity and vulnerability, she shares how setbacks have built her confidence, resilience, and perspective. Her central lesson—that success is “becoming better than who you were yesterday”—offers an inspiring reminder that failure isn’t the end but a stepping stone to strength, courage, and future triumphs. Alieza Singh is a versatile student and performer who combines academic curiosity with a passion for creative expression. Currently pursuing the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, she is deeply interested in understanding people, cultures, and ideas through subjects such as Economics, Psychology, and the Arts. Outside the classroom, Alieza has explored multiple forms of dance and music, which have shaped her identity as both an artist and a leader. She believes in the power of creativity to build connections, foster inclusion, and inspire change. With a strong balance of discipline and imagination, she aims to use her voice and platform to encourage others to embrace self-expression and discover confidence in their individuality. 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