Delhi Technological University recently hosted the latest edition of TEDxDTU on 18.03.2017. The 90-member strong organizing committee successfully organized the independently organized TED event. TED, which stands for Technology, Entertainment, and Design, is a non-profit media organization which posts talks online for free distribution, under the slogan “Ideas worth spreading”. The theme for TEDxDTU 2017 was “Because Grey Matters” which aimed to present a vision of the spectrum of various fields and its impact on other’s lives, the good and the bad.
The proceedings of the day started with invoking blessings of the Almighty, in the presence of Prof Yogesh Singh – Vice Chancellor, Delhi Technological University, Faculty Advisors – Prof. Nand Kumar, Prof. Ranganath Singari, Prof. Parinita Sinha, Prof. Shailesh Pandey, members of faculty and esteemed speakers for the day. This was followed by a performance by rising progressive-rock band “Above The Shadows”.
The first speaker to take the stage was Dr. Nandini Sundar. Her talk revolved around the economic and social obstacles faced by Adivasis and their diminishing distinct identities due to state policies. Mr. Onkar Khullar talked about self-help and his insights on how efficient channeling of energy turned his life around. Ms. Premlata Agrawal is the first Indian female mountaineer to scale the Seven Summits. A Padma-Shri awardee, she started mountaineering at the late age of 37. Her talk “Height of Destiny” was focused on her struggles and journey from being a housewife to scaling the Everest.
Mr. Sanjay Aggarwal, Managing Director of Finnish energy company Fortum and an alumnus of DTU, talked about the need for solar power and its significance in our progress in his talk, “In Search of Energy Immortality”. Ms. Aranyani Bhargav who is an acclaimed Bharatanatyam dancer and choreographer shed light on the reimagination of history of Bharatanatyam and caste dynamics in classical dance.
Next up was Mr. Tanmoy Chakrabarty who is the Vice President & Global Head at the Government Industry Solutions Unit (ISU) at Tata Consultancy Services Limited (TCS). Mr. Chakrabarty brought to the limelight the need for reducing the digital divide and how it can reduce corruption and increase employment in the remotest parts of the country.
Ms. Rajashree Agarwal was the next speaker. She specializes in probabilistic systems, AI, global catastrophic risk and incentive structures. Her talk emphasized on increasing reliance on algorithms and data science to solve complex problems by exploring all the permutations and combinations with accuracy and speed.
The Rural India Project (TRIP) is a rural storytelling initiative by a group of students from the School of Communication at Manipal University. The talk attempted to bring stories of rural India to the national forefront.
Mr. Rishabh Seen, who is touted as the youngest classical music player in the country and the world’s first Metal Sitar player shed light on his musical background and his love for Metal and Classical music through his talk, ‘5 Magical Approaches for Achieving the Impossible’.
An eminent singer and one half of the Mumbai based electronic duo Shaa’ir and Func, Ms. Monica Dogra was the last speaker for the event. Her talk, ‘The Need for Intimacy in the Digital Age’ aimed to highlight the lack of human connection and interaction in urban spheres and how it is eating away the very roots of our society. Her talk was highlighted by her slam-poetry and singing, which left the audience in awe.
The attendees gave favorable reviews to the spectacle.