Join 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