TEDx

Report on TEDx Hindustan University

TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) Talks are globally renowned presentations that bring together leading thinkers, innovators, and storytellers to share “ideas worth spreading.” Having originated in 1984, TED Talks cover a wide range of topics from science and education to art and global issues. TED Events, including the flagship TED Conference and TEDx are independently organized events and provide platforms for diverse voices to spark dialogue, inspire change, and ignite creativity.

The TEDx Hindustan University was held on 30 June 2025 at the Bay Range Campus. The theme of the event was Innovate and Evolve. The audience were mesmerised by 9 speakers who shared experiences in their respective fields. The speakers included:

Dr. Ravi Margasahayam, Astronaut Maker, NASA, USA
Dr. V. Chockalingam, Cardiologist
Mr. Ramesh Vinayakam, Inventor of the Gamaka Box
Lt. Gen. Bobby Mathews (Retd.), Executive Director, Hindustan International School
Ms. Isabelle Hasledar, Director, HQ Leadership International
Dr. M. Jaikumar, Project Lead, IURC, European Union and Professor, HITS
Dr. Ashmitha B Moturi, Founder, Nine O2 Detox
Ms. Afshan Fathima, International Mixed Martial Arts Champion
Mr. Raveen Raj, Femto Satellite, International Record Achiever

Speech 1 - Mr. Ramesh Vinayakam, Inventor – Gamaka Box
Topic : Indian Music – the Aural-Oral Tradition.
Mr. Ramesh began his presentation by portraying the difference between Indian and Western music. He said that the western music is based on written notations whereas the Indian classical music is learnt through aural-oral tradition which is learnt through rote memory with a help of a guru. He also mentioned that western music is harmony whereas Indian music is melodious. Due to this, Indian music does not have a musical script. In order to address this complexity, the Gamaka Box helps in interpreting Indian music with the help of symbols. He thus concluded his speech by pointing out that with the help of the Gamaka Box, even people with hearing disability can interpret the Indian Music.

Speech 2 – Lt. Gen. Bobby Mathews (Retd.), Executive Director, Hindustan International School
Topic – Nuances of Leadership
The Lieutenant said according to him leadership is acquired through experience. It is the ability to make others do what the leader wants to do happily and efficiently. He then continued to list the pillars of Leadership which are: Competence, Integrity, Passion, Empathy, and Courage. Mr. Bobby then explained the universities of life that accounts to people above, people below and the peers. An efficient and empathetic leader will be able to handle these three sectors of people empathetically and compassionately. He also emphasized that the power of listening and the power of observation helps a leader to connect with their fellow beings. The lieutenant concluded by enumerating the ten magical powers of leadership that help in becoming effective leaders. The magical powers are:
1. Touch 2. Appreciation 3. Timing 4. Smile 5. Downward credit
6. Upward Responsibility 7. Gratitude 8. Humility 9. I was wrong 10. Humour

Speaker 3 – Dr. Ravi Margasahayam, Global Space Ambassador, NASA
Topic : Never Assume Something is not Achievable (NASA)
Dr. Ravi Margasahayam commenced his presentation with an ice breaker exercise of finding out truth or lie. Through this he said that one should ask questions which will result in many answers that in turn helps to innovate. He advised the student audience to look at possibilities that open avenues to innovate. He also advised them to be believe and dream in order to innovate and evolve. Dr. Margasahayam concluded his speech by saying that one should try to find his/her peak and form their own acronym for NASA.

Speaker 4: Dr. Ashmitha B Moturi, Founder, Nine O2 Detox
Topic: Innovate Detox and Evolve.
Dr. Ashmitha’s speech focussed on functional medicine that helps in detoxing the human body. She pointed out that stress is the primary reason for all illness that human beings undergo. As a physiological state, stress needs to be metabolized. She informed that at her Nine O2 – Detox and Wellness Zone, a patient is treated for one hour for 6 days. This helps them to metabolize their body and handle stress effectively. Dr. Ashmitha that her innovative methods to detox has helped multiple people to lead a healthy life.

Speaker 5: Dr. V. Chockalingam, Cardiologist
Topic: Healthy Heart
The Cardiologist began by motivating the audience be positive in all their endeavours. He said that a human being has 3 hearts – the actual heart and the two calf muscles which help in maintaining the health of human beings. He pointed out that the best medicine for healthy life is to stay happy and sleep for eight hours. He also added that a healthy heart that is stress free will ensure a healthy life for human beings.

Speaker 6: Mr. Raveen Raj, Femto Satellite, International Record Achiever
Topic: Tow of Simplicity and Innovation
This student speaker and international record holder delivered an inspirational speech. He shared his experiences and hardships faced in achieving his feat. As the inventor of the smallest satellite, Mr. Raveen said that innovation can be made even when one does not have the best resources. It just requires perseverance, commitment, and hard work. Mr. Raveen spoke of his struggles and the feats achieved despite these struggles.

Speaker 7: Dr. M. Jaikumar, Project Lead, IURC, European Union and Professor, HITS
Topic: Adaptation to Climate Change
This speaker portrayed the initiatives of taken by HITS to establish a green campus. Dr. Jaikumar said that climate change has resulted in climate disaster. So, to rewrite the coding, the International Urban and Rural Cooperation and HITS collaborated to promote sustainable planet. Dr. Jaikumar elaborated that through the tie up between Trier University and Chennai city, HITS was able to establish a green campus by installing solar powered electricity and a biofuel plant that provided fuel for the kitchens in the canteens and hostel on campus. He concluded his speech by pointing out that due to this initiative, the Bay Range Campus has become a zero-emission campus.

Speaker 8: Ms. Isabelle Hasledar, Director, HQ Leadership International
Topic: Leadership through Horsepower.
The speech focussed on developing leadership skills with the help of horses. Ms. Isabelle Haseldar started the speech by saying that many kings and rulers in history have been successful leaders because of their horses. So, horses had their importance in history. Ms. Haseldar then said that the nature of the horses was to take flight because they sense danger quickly and run very fast. Also, they follow a hierarchy. The alpha of the horses is the Mare. Through their leadership programme, Ms. Hasledar informed that leaders are invited to interact with the horses. This experiential learning methodology helps the leaders to enhance their leadership skills with the help of the horses.

Speaker 9: Ms. Afshan Fathima, International Mixed Martial Arts Champion
Topic: Fight like a Girl: Defying Limits, Defining Legacy.
The MMA champion mesmerized the audience by explaining the struggles she faced to choose to fight inside the MMA ring. Hailing from a conventional family, Ms. Ashan said that she had to fight through challenges to get inside the ring. She calls this as the biggest fight. Ms. Afshan then highlighted the Awake Movement founded by her. This Movement teaches young girls self-defence and the motivates and inspires them to overcome challenges and achieve their dreams.

Conclusion
The TEDx Hindustan University successfully hosted nine speakers whose life experiences led to innovations and evolving despite oddities they had faced in their life. The speeches were of great motivation to the student audience of HITS.