Aryaa Sharma

Student

We have a tendency to believe that our emotions are uniquely our own. That our problems are unsolvable, and no one else could possibly understand. But when an epic composed in the 8th century BC, or a science fiction book written by a teenager in the early 1800s perfectly captures what you feel, you realise that what feels intensely personal, is, in fact, deeply human. This is why reading is my biggest passion. In the truest sense of the word, I am passionate about literature. Reading and writing go hand in hand. As Rainer Maria Rilke writes, "Go into yourself. Examine the reason that bids you to write; check whether it reaches its roots into the deepest places of your heart." I try to write every day, no matter how short or unpolished it may be. The act of putting my thoughts down, of shaping them into words forces clarity.

Technology, Writing

I have been a part of TEDxVITPune as a volunteer for the last two edition, and it has been the one of the most formative experiences of my college journey. As a first year student, in my first semester of college, it gave me the space and opportunity to grow into myself. It gave me the courage to voice ideas, and the privilege to connect with a like-minded community. Through this experience, I came to truly appreciate the beauty of a community. The passionate speakers and attendees coming together to exchange ideas, is an enriching experience. In just 18 minutes, strangers shared common ground and everyone grew just a little bit closer; shaped by the same spark of an idea. For me, that is what TEDx has always been about, a space where ideas shape people.