Knowledge resides in our environment and in the wisdom of our elders. Climate change threatens this valuable heritage, making its recovery and preservation essential for future generations. Wenceslaus Mendes is a filmmaker, artist, and independent researcher whose work spans journalism, theater, performance, and installation art. With training as a cinematographer and editor, he creates multimedia and immersive projects that have been exhibited globally. He collaborates with indigenous and tribal communities, focusing on issues of land, water, environment, sustainability, and climate change. Mendes documents oral cultures, practices, and ethno-technologies while also examining the politics of food, consumption, and knowledge-making. His research investigates race and caste in India, exploring themes of discrimination, purity, labor, and incarceration. Through what he calls "co-labor-abling," Mendes develops work collectively with communities, rooted in shared place, environment, and concerns. 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

Summaiya Afreen challenges gender bias, sharing her journey from setbacks to activism, urging society to prioritize girls’ success over “goodness. Summaiya Afreen is a celebrated social entrepreneur, changemaker, and co-founder of Lakshya Jeevan Jagriti, empowering youth from Delhi’s underserved communities through education, skills, and leadership. Overcoming societal biases, she now champions voice, choice, and equity for girls. Her leadership has earned global honors, including the Gratitude Network Fellowship Award (California, 2024), Global Good Fund Fellowship (USA, 2016), Young Social Entrepreneur Award (Singapore, 2017), and the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Award (India, 2018). Recognised by the Ashoka & Robert Bosch Foundation’s at ChangemakerXchange, Goldman Sachs–IIM Bangalore. She has certifications from Swedish Institute and Harvard proving that resilience can spark lasting change. 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

It's about time that Goan Konkani music reaches the world. Sonia Shirsat, who is regarded as India’s finest Fadista (fado singer), is the recipient of the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar (2016) from Sangeet Natak Akademi, the Yuva Srujan Puraskar, and the Goan of the Year by Lokmat. Born in Ponda, Goa, she holds degrees in Commerce and Law and has served as a Professor of Law. An empanelled artist with SPICMACAY, she has performed for over 22 years in 17 languages across 19 countries. Through Fado de Goa, she has trained 300+ students. Honored with multiple accolades, including the Gulab Award, Pride of India Award, Vibrant Goa Award, and more, Sonia is celebrated as the Ambassador of Goan Music. 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

Samaira turns living with type 1 diabetes into humour and advocacy, urging schools to replace stigma with understanding, acceptance, and celebration. Samaira Pansare, a 12-year-old, possesses a bright smile, lofty aspirations, and a diagnosis of type 1 juvenile diabetes. Diagnosed at the age of 8, she’s navigated needles, glucose checks, and hospital visits but also the harder part: people’s misconceptions. From being excluded at school to being asked if her condition is “contagious,” Samaira has turned hurt into humor and challenges into courage. Her first TEDx talk opened up conversations about empathy and inclusion, reaching kids and parents across India. Today, she speaks to inspire change, not for sympathy, but for understanding... Her message is simple: your diagnosis doesn’t define you; your courage does. 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

From India’s coasts to Antarctica, a marine scientist uncovers sea ice ecosystems, revealing climate clues amid coastal decline and polar productivity rise. Dr. Ravidas Krishna Naik is a Project Scientist III in the Ocean Observations and Modelling Group at the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research, Goa, India. He is a marine biologist whose research focuses on understanding the structures of microscopic plants and their responses to environmental changes driven by climate variability. His work also extends to related areas, including harmful algal blooms and strategies for mitigating microplastic pollution in the world’s oceans. Currently, he is investigating the dynamics of phytoplankton and their interconnected processes in the Indian sector of the Southern Ocean, as well as within the land-fast sea ice ecosystem of Prydz Bay in eastern Antarctica. 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

Anish Sousa shares global insights on solar, microgrids, and self-sufficiency, urging urgent action for resilient energy, water, and food independence. Anish Sousa is the Founder of SUN360, Goa’s most trusted solar company, delivering over 12 lakh sq. ft. of solar installations for 500+ homes, businesses, and Fortune 500 clients. A Mechanical Engineer and MBA from IIM Bangalore (top 10 percentile, President – Entrepreneurship Committee), Anish previously worked with Accenture in Mumbai and Helsinki. His passion for engineering and belief in sustainable growth led him back to Goa to build a clean energy enterprise now employing 35+ professionals. As Convenor of CII Goa’s Taskforce on Energy & Sustainability, Anish champions innovation that empowers communities to breathe cleaner air and live independently. 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