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Voices That Drive Change

The campus of SIBM Nagpur was buzzing with excitement on September 21, 2025, as it hosted its very first TEDx event at the Auditorium. It was an incredible day, filled with inspiring talks from some truly remarkable people. Under the theme, “Voices That Drive Change,” We were honored to welcome a fantastic lineup of speakers: Dr. Vidya Yeravdekar, Dr. Ramakrishnan Raman, Dr. Ashwin Fernandes, Mr. Sandeep Balani, Mr. Ankit Bansal, Mr. Kartik Choudhary, and Ms. Saumya Singh. Each speaker shared their unique story and perspective, leaving the students with invaluable lessons on leadership, innovation, and making a real impact. This event wouldn’t have been possible without the vision and leadership of Dr. Shailesh Rastogi, the Director of SIBM Nagpur, who guided the entire team. TEDxSIBMNagpur was so much more than a series of talks ; it was an experience that brought the everyone together and inspired them to think bigger and bolder. The students can’t wait to make this a new legacy for their college.

Insights from the Speakers

Dr. Vidya Yeravdekar

Dr. Vidya Yeravdekar

(Pro Chancellor, Symbiosis International (Deemed University) Pune, and Principal Director, Symbiosis)

Dr. Vidya Yeravdekar’s talk was deeply personal and moving. She spoke about her father’s journey and how his welcoming nature inspired the founding of Symbiosis, an institution created to support foreign students who were facing discrimination. She also highlighted how Symbiosis promotes social responsibility through scholarships, freeships, and a focus on girls’ education. These initiatives have led to many inspiring student success stories, underscoring the institution’s role in fostering a sense of social purpose.

Dr. Ramakrishnan Raman

(Vice Chancellor, Symbiosis International (Deemed University) Pune)
Dr. Ramakrishnan Raman gave a fascinating look into how AI can help people find a better work-life balance. He explained that by automating tasks, AI can save time and boost productivity. He even painted a picture of a future where systems communicate directly with each other, making AI even more effective at creating efficiency and balance in people’s lives.
Dr. Ashwin Fernandes

Dr. Ashwin Fernandes

Coming from a small village, Dr. Ashwin Fernandes shared his powerful philosophy of “lighting a lamp instead of cursing the darkness”. This belief shaped his decision to study abroad and gain global exposure. He also connected his experiences to the concept of “Swades,” sharing how he has helped poor students with their education and contributed to society through various initiatives.
Mr. Kartik Choudhary

Mr. Kartik Choudhary

Mr. Kartik Choudhary’s story was a true testament to grit. He started his business at just 14 years old, which meant sacrificing friendships and his teenage life to focus on clients and pitches. He shared how he went from being mocked in 9th grade for his YouTube videos to becoming a successful entrepreneur. His advice? “Network is Networth”. He encouraged introverts to get out there, share their stories, and grow by building connections.

Ms. Saumya Singh

Ms. Saumya Singh’s talk was a beautiful story of turning setbacks into motivation. From a small village, she worked incredibly hard to consistently top her class and became a gold medalist in her graduation. With a passion for coding and teaching, she built a strong presence as a content creator and influencer. Her videos are loved by children, and she has achieved great success at a young age.
Mr. Ankit Bansal

Mr. Ankit Bansal

Mr. Ankit Bansal gave an eye-opening talk on how content creation has completely changed marketing. He explained that the world has moved from old-school shop boards to a digital one where “every mobile is like a production company”. He stressed that content creation is now an essential skill for everyone , whether they’re a CEO, or work in finance, HR, or marketing. He used the example of Aman Gupta to show how dynamic and influential this field has become.

Mr. Sandeep Balani

Mr. Sandeep Balani shared a powerful lesson from his trekking experience. He explained that overcoming challenges with guidance from a Sherpa leader taught him a lot about persistence. He related this to the movie The Pursuit of Happyness, highlighting that happiness has no fixed reasons and that it’s something people have to seek and create for themselves.

Conclusion​

The first TEDxSIBMNagpur was a huge success. The diverse perspectives shared by the speakers left the students with not just new ideas, but also a renewed sense of purpose and motivation. The event truly captured the spirit of SIBM Nagpur : a community that values curiosity, innovation, and a commitment to making a positive impact. This experience has set a high standard, and the students can’t wait to see what the future holds for this new lega