The fourth edition of TEDxPanaji held recently showcased a powerful line-up of speakers whose talks covered the spheres of music, technology, science, medicine, art, self-empowerment, fitness, sports and waste management.
The theme for this year’s event was ‘Rush’ signifying the emotional unrest that precedes powerful action.
Ten speakers took to the stage and shared their story, encapsulating the emotions that led them to their achievements.
TEDxPanaji was kicked off with a stunning experimental music showcase comprising traditional folk instruments of Goa by Suraj Pinge and Group.
Ruby Ahluwalia, a bureaucrat and author, shared her unique program that empowers cancer survivors to rehabilitate those currently battling the disease.
Saipranav Gandhiis a the 10-year-old lego robotics prodigy. His appeal to the audience was that robotics is not just for geeks and that anyone with a little help from the internet and a child-like enthusiasm, can be inventive and create.
Karishma Parker, an award winning professional female bodybuilder, spoke about how taking up a passion can help rebuild one’s life.
Varsha Upadhyay, India’s first female coach to judge an international sporting event, shared her unique journey of building a foundation for rhythmic gymnasts and launching the first academy dedicated to this ‘female-only’ Olympic sport.
Her talk was followed by a scintillating performance by her Mumbai based troupe made up of young girls.
Rajah Vijay Kumar shared details of his USFDA approved breakthrough cancer treatment device called Cytotron. From breaking his own legs to prove induced rapid cellular healing, to regenerating human body parts, the speaker with 32 inventions to his credit.
Wilma Rodrigues of Sahas Zero Waste, touched the audiences emotionally with her unique journey in sustainable waste management. DJ Ignatius Camilo aka Iggy, spoke on living sustainably urging people to re-look at the way they live and adopt a new defining lifestyle,
Baadal Nanjundaswamy, the artist behind the viral video of the astronaut walking on crater like pot-holes shared his experiences on protesting creatively through art.Goa’s very own Vincent Toscano spoke of his journey in building and enabling rural IT ecosystems in Goa, his version of living one’s dream.
Lastly, Chandana Bala Kalyan spoke of how, by using her knowledge of Carnatic music, she could transcend various musical genres such as western classical and jazz, to create beautiful fusions of different styles.
Chandana delighted the audience by singing in between her talk to bolster the message she was driving in her speech.
