What If Forgetting Is the Future? | Ganesh Thirunavukkarasu | TEDxVelammal Global School
What if forgetting, not learning, is the real superpower of the future? In this TEDx talk, Ganesh Thirunavukkarasu, a talent strategist and academic mentor, explores the power of unlearning - the ability to let go of outdated knowledge, habits and assumptions to make space for reinvention. From Kodak and Nokia’s failures to Nvidia’s reinvention, from students chasing placements to careers that now demand agility, this talk reframes success in an age where technology, AI and industries evolve faster than degrees. With insights from shaping the future of work and bridging academia with industry, Ganesh shows why adaptability, career agility and lifelong employability will define tomorrow’s leaders. The next big thing is not just technology - it’s us, and our courage to unlearn. Ganesh Thirunavukkarasu is a Talent Acquisition leader turned entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience at the intersection of education and industry. During his 19-year tenure at Tata Consultancy Services, he led the hiring of 42,000+ graduates and engaged with over 150 engineering institutions, gaining deep insights into talent pipelines and campus dynamics. Today, as the Founder of UniqShift Ventures, he reimagines how students, academic institutions and companies prepare for the future of work, designing sustainable strategies that align students, faculty and businesses with evolving workforce needs. Recognized as a trusted voice in talent strategy, early careers recruitment and industry-academia collaboration, Ganesh brings real-world insights that build future-ready talent pipelines while shifting the focus from first jobs to lifelong employability and career agility. 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
More from TED
- 8:28La bussola della curiosità: trasformare passioni in direzioni | Andrea Gallo | TEDxBellagioCosa rispondere a un ragazzo con tante ambizioni e uno spazio troppo ristretto per esprimerle? C’è chi ha la convinzione che il percorso debba essere chiaro fin dal principio. Ma forse è vero il contrario. In questo talk, Andrea Gallo — direttore creativo di Sugo Design e docente di video allo IED — racconta la propria strada dall’adolescenza fino al suo attuale ruolo, mostrandoci come la curiosità e la passione possano diventare una bussola quando non sappiamo che direzione prendere. Perché camminare con fiducia conta più che conoscere la meta. Nato a Como nel 1981, è regista, direttore creativo e co-fondatore di Sugo Design, studio specializzato in video, live visual e motion graphics. Negli ultimi dieci anni ha ridefinito il linguaggio visivo della scena musicale italiana e internazionale, collaborando con artisti come David Guetta, Martin Garrix, Marco Mengoni, Sfera Ebbasta e Max Pezzali. Il suo stile, fatto di immagini iconiche, humor ed eccentricità, ha influenzato l’estetica pop, trap e dance. Pioniere nell’uso dell’intelligenza artificiale generativa applicata al visual, l’ha integrata stabilmente nei processi creativi dello studio. È anche docente di Digital Video all’Istituto Europeo di Design, dove da oltre dieci anni trasmette la sua esperienza a giovani creativi. 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
- 3:24Beyond the book discovering passions and purpose | ANANYA CHAMYAL | TEDxAVBIL YouthDiscover how a small step can change your entire lifestyle. Join me as I explore how the smallest acts of creativity can have the biggest impact. This talk will challenge you to reconsider what you thought was possible and inspire you to start your own journey. She is a dedicated and enthusiastic student of class 9 at Aryaman Vikram Birla School, known for her strong academic performance and keen interest in literature and history. She is also actively involved in interact club. She is passionate about learning and is always seeking new opportunities to challenge her selves and grow. 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
- 16:00Vedere con le mani: identità, lingua, arte e cultura sorda | Nicola Della Maggiora | TEDxBresciaNicola Della Maggiora, artista sordo e attivista culturale, ci guida in un viaggio nella Comunità Sorda. Con la Lingua dei Segni Italiana come lingua madre e identità, racconta cosa significa appartenere a una cultura visiva. Introduce il Visual Vernacular e la performance “Soffione”, dove il corpo diventa voce e la vista ascolto. Nicola Della Maggiora, attivista sordo che trasforma la LIS in arte, poesia e narrazione visiva. Nicola dirige il Dipartimento Accademico presso l’Istituto dei Sordi di Torino ed è maestro di Visual Vernacular. 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
- 8:56The truth behind teen TikTok trends | Uma Bambroo | TEDxPine Lake YouthTikTok tells teens that beauty comes in a bottle but what happens when this only fuels more insecurity? In this talk, 13-year-old Uma Bambroo takes the audience behind the scenes of her own TikTok-inspired beauty journey. From secretly ordering concealer online at age 11 to desperate attempts with mascara and lip gloss, Uma reveals how she fell into the trap of trying to “fix” herself and learned that the real problem wasn’t her dark circles, lashes, or lips. Through personal stories, observations, and humor, Uma exposes how TikTok beauty trends sell insecurities first and the “solution” second. But her talk isn’t just about mistakes, it's about discovery. She shares three practical steps she used to reclaim her confidence Funny and inspiring, Uma’s talk reminds teens, and adults too that true beauty isn’t in a bottle, a filter, or an influencer’s video. Confidence comes from self-care, awareness, and the courage to speak up. It’s already inside you and it’s time to unmask it. Uma is a passionate teen speaker advocating for authentic self-care and self-worth in a world influenced by beauty standards and social media. Her journey began when she struggled with eczema and insecurity, leading her to secretly buy makeup to feel prettier. But over time, she discovered that no product could change how she felt inside. Now, Uma focuses on true self-care—hydration, skincare, and self-acceptance—and shares her message with honesty and heart. With her younger sister already feeling pressure from online trends, Uma is committed to helping the next generation understand that beauty starts from within. 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
- 6:24Fitting In Isn’t Belonging | Riana Kumar | TEDxPine Lake YouthIn this inspiring talk, 13-year-old Riana shares her journey of learning to stop cutting off pieces of herself just to fit in. From pretending to love soccer in a debate to hiding her true self in middle school, she takes us through the pressure teens face to conform socially, academically, and emotionally. Riana reveals how trying to “fit the mold” often means losing what makes us unique. With wisdom well beyond her years, she calls on young people everywhere to choose honesty over perfection and authenticity over approval. This is a rallying cry for every teen to be real, be bold, and truly belong. Riana Kumar is an eighth-grade student at The Overlake School in Redmond, Washington. She is passionate about lacrosse, dance, and debate. She plays on Overlake School’s lacrosse team and competes with her club team in the fall. Riana trains in ethnic dance at PCIPA and will begin learning new styles at the Premier Dance Center. As a member of the Overlake debate team, she regularly participates in tournaments. She also serves as a student ambassador, representing her school at open houses and interviews. Riana is driven by curiosity, creativity, and a desire to grow through every experience. 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
- 6:30Assess your P.A.C.E | Vihaan Reddy | TEDxPine Lake YouthWhen the going gets tough, the tough get going. Through the eyes of an amateur sports competitor, Vihaan Reddy shared his engaging and relatable story of how a simple decision making formula gets him through stressful situations and keeps his emotions in check. Take yourself from impulsive reactions to proactive by setting your P.A.C.E. So, how do you get going when the going gets tough. Just, try to P.A.C.E yourself in the heat of the chase. Vihaan is a driven young athlete who has learned that success in sportsand in life comes from controlling your mindset, not just your skills. A dedicated tennis player and duathlete, he’s competed in over 18 races and regularly finishes on the podium. After struggling with frustration and impulsive reactions, Vihaan discovered the power of PACE: Pause, Assess, Choose, Engage. This simple yet powerful method has helped him stay calm under pressure, focus his energy, and make smarter decisions. Now, he inspires others to “set their pace” in the heat of the chase and lead with intention instead of reaction. 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
