#shorts #tedx #ted #tessholliday

Why does the world instantly recognize brands like Nike, Toyota, or Mercedes, but struggle to name a truly global brand from India? In this bold and eye-opening talk, Sudhanshu Shekhar — entrepreneur, brand builder, and storyteller — unpacks this paradox and explains why the future of a “Brand India” depends on one powerful shift: owning our story.Drawing from 20 years of experience helping companies across the globe build iconic brands, Sudhanshu reveals how India, despite its unmatched history, talent, and innovation, has long underinvested in storytelling. He argues that branding isn’t about logos or colors — it’s about crafting experiences, building trust, and creating aspirations that resonate across cultures.With a blend of data, history, and sharp insights, Sudhanshu shows how embracing authentic narratives can transform Indian products, companies, and even individuals into global icons. This talk is a call to action for entrepreneurs, leaders, and everyday Indians: to stop outsourcing our story and start defining it for ourselves — because the world is ready to listen, but only if we speak with clarity, confidence, and pride. Sudhanshu is a serial entrepreneur who works at the intersection of Brand Building, Story telling and academics. With close to 20 years of experience working with companies across the globe, he now help companies build narratives that established trust and confidence with their customers. He believes that story telling is not just a tool- its a strategic advantage.At the heart of everything he does is a belief : that authentic stories, told with clarity and vision , can move people and spark 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

In this practical and thought-provoking talk, Vardhman Agarwal, Director at EY India and a seasoned risk advisory professional, introduces a concept many of us overlook — conducting a self-audit. Drawing on over 15 years of experience advising businesses, Vardhman reveals how the same principles that keep companies profitable and accountable can help us live more balanced, intentional, and productive lives.He explains how our minds are flooded with nearly 60,000 thoughts a day — most of them repetitive or negative — and how this mental “clutter” silently reduces our focus, productivity, and happiness. Through relatable examples and actionable techniques, he demonstrates how simple habits like daily self-check-ins, journaling, and reframing negative thoughts can transform ordinary days into opportunities for growth.With humor and practical wisdom, Vardhman challenges us to maintain our personal “balance sheets” — nurturing our assets like integrity, proactivity, and kindness while reducing liabilities like ego, anger, and procrastination. His message is clear: just like businesses thrive when their books are in order, we thrive when we reconcile our thoughts, actions, and values every day. Vardhman is a Director with EY India and part of Business Consulting Audit practice. He is a seasoned professional with qualification including CA, LLB, CIE, CFE and has over 15+ experience of risk advisory. 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

In this insightful talk, Sameer Srivastava, a seasoned technology leader and CISO, invites us to explore a less celebrated—yet deeply powerful—path to growth: staying a student for life. Whether leading India’s largest biometric system or stepping into new corporate frontiers, he discovered that true power lies not in reaching a pinnacle but in remaining unfinished.Drawing from moments of reinvention—such as leaving behind a high-level government role to re-enter the corporate world—Sameer illustrates how curiosity, humility, and openness can turn “ordinary” factors into extraordinary levers of change. He shares how closing his laptop in a room full of experts and inviting their personal stories sparked much richer, transformative discussions. He also recounts losing promotions and reframing rejection not as failures, but as opportunities to learn: shifting from “Why didn’t I get it?” to “What can I do better next time?”From suggestion boxes that unlocked brilliant hidden ideas—from interns, front-line staff, and admin teams—to teaching again and discovering new perspectives in familiar lessons, Sameer proves that our edge comes from the insight in ordinary interactions. By staying unfinished—curious, candid, and compassionate—we remain open to growth, collaboration, and unexpected inspiration. This talk is a compelling reminder that success isn’t a finish line—it’s a continuous journey of self-renewal. Sameer Srivastava is a distinguished technology leader and policy advisor with over 25 years of experience across government and corporate sectors. Currently serving as Chief Operating Officer & CISO at Anant Raj Cloud Pvt. Ltd., he drives large-scale innovations in cloud infrastructure and data centre development in India. 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

At just 17, Aayush Jain planted the seed of what would grow into Teens of God, a youth-driven NGO that’s transforming lives in communities across Gurugram. What began as eight teenagers with a shared dream of “doing something for society” has evolved into a powerful movement impacting thousands — from education programs for underprivileged children to sanitary health drives, road safety awareness, and animal welfare initiatives. In this talk, Aayush shares how small, consistent efforts — collecting ₹200 a month, teaching kids in a park after school, and building trust in the community — turned into a platform of hope and action. Through his story, he uncovers the hidden logic of the ordinary: that when passion meets persistence, even the simplest actions can ripple into extraordinary change. His journey is a testament to the power of youth, the strength of community, and the belief that every effort truly counts. Aayush Jain, the Founder and President of Teens of God NGO, is a young 24 years old ardent social worker who started his journey in 8th Grade and has worked with numerous reputable NGOs since he was in his eighth grade at Ryan International School Gurugram and a TEDx Speaker amongst other eminent personalities.He is a recipient of many National Awards for social work. He was invited as a speaker by Gurgaon ki Awaaz 107.8 FM for a talk on their show ' Aaj Ke Mehmaan' to talk about Teens Of God NGO. He was invited by Ryan International Group Of Institutions as a speaker at INMUN 2023 where 1500 delegates from India and abroad were present. He has been a part of 30+ MUNs till date. He is also the brand ambassador of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan of Municipal Corporation of Gurugram. He has completed his graduation from He is leading a team of more than 800+ active volunteers all across the nation. 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