Am I Holding a Camera, or a Mirror? | Haslina Atif | TEDxYouth@YCYWShanghai
The speaker shares how photographing the streets of Old Lahore helped her reconnect with her cultural roots. In her talk, she explores how asking questions about identity, place, and memory can turn ordinary scenes into powerful stories. Haslina is a Pakistani student studying in China. She has a deep interest in storytelling and uses photography to explore personal and cultural narratives. During a recent visit to Lahore, Haslina captured moments from the city’s old streets, turning everyday scenes into stories about heritage, identity, and connection. 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
- 9:21Flow Over Fear | Sneha Chakrabortory | TEDxNIIT UniversityWatch artist Sneha Chakraborty in her moving TEDx talk “Flow Over Fear,” where she opens up about navigating uncertainty, self-doubt, and the pressure to meet expectations in a fast-moving world.Through honest reflections and personal stories, Sneha talks about the fear many people carry, the kind that quietly says you need to earn more, do more, be more, before you can pursue what you truly care about. She shares how she explored multiple career paths, often feeling uncertain about her direction and questioning her own abilities.At her lowest, it was painting and the familiar rhythm of creating art that helped her find clarity. It gave her a space to feel grounded and realigned with who she was. That creative process didn’t just offer comfort, it became her way forward.This talk is a reflection on how it’s okay to not have everything figured out. It’s a reminder that doubt and fear are part of the journey, but they don’t have to stop you. With sincerity and calm strength, Sneha encourages us to keep moving, even if the path ahead looks unclear.Sneha Chakraborty is a multidisciplinary artist known for her murals, illustrations, and storytelling. Her work has gained recognition in contemporary art circles for its depth and community impact. Sneha Chakraborty transforms Mumbai’s slums with vibrant murals, turning neglected walls into stories of hope and unity. A pioneering AR NFT artist in India, she merges art with technology, redefining public spaces. Collaborating with organizations like St+art India Foundation, she brings communities together by involving local residents in her creations, fostering pride and ownership. Through her work, Sneha bridges art, activism, and social change, using street art as a tool for empowerment and collective storytelling. 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
- 13:18Why Community Building is the Key to Personal Growth | Manas Chopra | TEDxNIIT UniversityJoin Manas Chopra as he shares his inspiring journey of building one of India’s largest coding communities and how fostering a sense of belonging can catalyse personal growth. In his talk, Manas, an accomplished AI engineer and visionary founder of The Geek Room, reveals how his early days at a local school in Ghaziabad and his decision to pursue engineering at MSIT shaped his path. Despite clearing the JEE Advanced, he chose a college where he could focus on building what truly mattered to him; community. From conducting India’s biggest hackathon, Code Kshetra, to overcoming challenges like a last-minute venue cancellation that tested his resilience, Manas shares with his audience how patience and unwavering belief in one’s vision can turn setbacks into milestones. Through engaging anecdotes, he illustrates how The Geek Room became a platform not just for coding but for learning essential skills spanning marketing, sales, and leadership. His journey embodies the idea that while hurdles are inevitable, staying true to one’s purpose and building strong connections can transform dreams into reality. This talk promises to motivate aspiring technologists to pursue what their heart truly desires, regardless of when the right time seems to come. 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 Manas Chopra, co-founder of Geek Room with over 7,500 members, is a trailblazer in AI and machine learning. He has developed innovative projects like Advocate Falcon and Dockerized-Whisper, showcasing his technical expertise. As a mentor and organizer of Code Kshetra, Delhi NCR’s largest hackathon, Manas inspires and uplifts aspiring coders. Through his work, he is shaping the future of technology, empowering the next generation of innovators and fostering a culture of creativity and collaboration in the tech community 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
- 13:03Navigating Adulthood Challenges & Pleasure | Dr. Mitali Rathod | TEDxNIIT UniversityIn this enlightening TEDx talk, Dr. Mitali Rathod addresses the critical importance of comprehensive sex education for children and adolescents. Highlighting the challenges faced due to inadequate information on topics like body image, hair growth, and understanding of private parts, Dr. Rathod emphasizes the need for open, accurate, and age-appropriate discussions to empower young individuals.Aligned with the theme "Inverso Clessidra: As Time Folds, Perspectives Unfold," Dr. Rathod's talk encourages us to reflect on how evolving perspectives on education can shape a healthier, more informed future for everyone.Join us as we delve into the significance of sex education and the transformative impact it can have on young minds. Dr. Mitali, known as "Dr. Uterus," is a TEDx speaker and leading reproductive health advocate. She breaks down stigmas by using humor and clarity to simplify complex medical topics. Passionate about making essential health conversations accessible, Dr. Mitali ensures these discussions reach a wider audience. Her work is transforming the way we approach and talk about women’s health. 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
- 6:19Flipping the Narrative | Palakh Khanna | TEDxNIIT UniversityIn this inspiring TED Talk, speaker Palakh Khanna, a youth change-maker and introvert-turned-speaker, takes us on a transformative journey through the metaphor of an hourglass, exploring the profound lessons learned from a mentor. The talk delves into the importance of both learning and unlearning, and how letting go of negative habits can propel personal growth. It emphasizes that what we often perceive as endings are merely beginnings of new chapters in our lives. Palak encourages us to cherish small moments and recognize their impact, urging us to pause and reflect on our journey. Through these reflections, the talk serves as a powerful reminder to embrace change and find growth in every phase of life. Palakh Khanna is a 21-year-old youth changemaker, 2x TEDx speaker, and Content Creator with over 85K followers. One of Asia’s 100 Women Power Leaders for 2023, Palakh is Businessworld Wellbeing’s 30 Under 30 (2023), and the Founder of Break The Ice. Recently featured in UN Women’s Coffee table book amongst 75 women leaders across India, she has also been featured on Times Square, New York amongst others. 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
- 16:24Trust the Process: The Power of Movement | Nainika Mukherjee | TEDxNIIT UniversityWhat do you do when speaking doesn’t come easily? In this talk, Nainika Mukherjee opens up about growing up with selective mutism, a condition that made it difficult for her to speak in many situations as a child. For a long time, words in certain situations just weren’t an option for her. But dance gave her a way to express what she was feeling, even when she couldn’t say it out loud.As she followed her passion for Kathak new challenges showed up: the constant pressure to perform perfectly, the fear of not being good enough and more, all of it slowly started to take over. She finally found it the dance therapy, once she started it, things slowly shifted. At first, things weren't easy, but over time, she stopped worrying so much about whether everything was perfect or not. She began to move without overthinking it or wanting to impress anyone but herself to feel and express what was inside. This was more than she had asked for, the more she did she felt it; it was helping her process emotions, understand herself a little better, and even start to heal.Nainika Mukherjee is a Kathak dancer and speaker who shares her experiences with audiences through storytelling and performance, exploring how art, healing, and personal growth often go hand in hand.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 Nainika Mukherjee blends Kathak with healing as a Dance Movement Therapy practitioner and counselling psychology expert. Trained under esteemed gurus, she earned a Diploma with Honors in Kathak in 2019 and a Post Diploma with Distinction in 2021 from Kathak Kendra, New Delhi. She also holds an MA in Psychology and studied Dance Movement Therapy at Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai. A Doordarshan Graded Artist, Nainika co-founded "Serenity in Motion LLP" in 2025 to promote dance and movement practices for well-being. 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
- 13:30Whispers of the Web: Exposing Data Privacy and Cyber Deception | Amit Dubey | TEDxNIIT UniversityThe beauty of this world is how even the negative act of criminals requires effort and knowledge that even a normal citizen doesn't know about. This knowledge is then used against the innocent lives that get scammed everyday from the hands of hackers. In his talk - "Whispers of the web: Hidden Truths of Data Privacy, Cyber Deception and Digital Crimes", cyber crime analyst Mr Amit Dubey shares an incident that dives deep into how cyber criminals deceive a family through data available on the internet for anyone to take. He talks that before hacking your device, they hack you; telling us about the psychology of an innocent person that falls for so many fake promises that cyber criminals give to get their valuables. Amit Dubey is a renowned cybersecurity expert, ethical hacker, and crime investigator, working closely with law enforcement agencies to solve high-profile cybercrimes. A bestselling author and a leading voice in cyber forensics, he deciphers the hidden world of digital threats and frauds. His mission is to make the digital world safer, one investigation at a time. 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