In this inspiring TEDx talk, Suraj Patel through the story of Raunak, a ninth-grade student from rural India, Suraj explores the huge and transformative impact of technology and education on individuals and entire communities.He dives into real-world success stories including the rejuvenation of a 30-kilometer stretch of an extinct river in Fatehpur and the revamp of Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas (KGBVs) using adaptive learning technologies in collaboration with the NITI Aayog and the IIT Bombay. Highlighting the high rise in digital service adoption, Suraj makes a powerful advice for the next generation of engineers and innovators to focus on hyperlocal language models, low-cost skilling platforms, and grassroots tech innovation. This talk is a call for youth to shift from job seekers to job creators, and to build solutions that are inclusive and scalable in real India. Mr. Suraj Patel, an alumnus of MNNIT Allahabad and a current IAS officer, is a leader focused on the transformative power of technology and education. He has been involved in significant social and environmental projects, including the rejuvenation of a 30-kilometer stretch of a once-extinct river in Fatehpur. In the education sector, he has worked on reforming the infrastructure of Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas (KGBVs) by implementing adaptive learning technologies, a collaborative effort with NITI Aayog and IIT Bombay. 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
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