Past TEDx event

TEDxYouth@SunbeamBhagwanpur

Redefining Success

Took placeMay 23, 2025
LocationVaranasi, Uttar Pradesh, India
FormatYouth
In a world that often measures success through narrow metrics—grades, titles, paychecks, and prestige—it becomes essential to pause and ask: Is that all there is to success? At TEDxYouth@SunbeamBhagwanpur, we believe the answer lies beyond the conventional. Our theme this year, "Redefining Success," seeks to broaden the lens through which we view achievement and impact. Success, traditionally framed, tends to spotlight a few well-trodden paths—medicine, engineering, law, corporate leadership. While these are noble and significant professions, such a limited narrative can overlook the millions of people forging paths of meaning, resilience, and creativity in fields that society often sidelines or misunderstands. Our event aims to celebrate these voices—the ones who’ve dared to redefine success on their own terms. Whether it's an environmentalist working at the grassroots level, a spoken word artist breaking generational silences, a teacher transforming classrooms in remote villages, or a social entrepreneur addressing systemic injustice—these are the changemakers who have ventured into uncharted territory. They have proven that success is not just about personal achievement but about purpose, authenticity, and impact. "Redefining Success" also invites a personal revolution. In the age of social media comparisons, hustle culture, and endless competition, young people are often pressured to fit into pre-designed molds. This theme is a reminder that success can mean choosing well-being over burnout, community over competition, curiosity over conformity. It can mean recovering from failure, learning to unlearn, or simply standing up for what one believes in—even when it isn’t popular. At TEDxYouth@SunbeamBhagwanpur, we are not just redefining success. We are reclaiming it—making space for diverse narratives and opening doors for the next generation of thinkers, doers, and dreamers to walk through with pride and purpose.

Speakers

Speakers may not be confirmed. Check the event website for the latest lineup.

  • Adarsh Kumar Singh

    founder and COO

    Mr. Adarsh has been working as an Education & Soft Skills Consultant for schools in India since 2018. He is a Harvard Act2Impact Awardee and a 2 times TEDx Speaker, who is making soft skills training affordable & accessible to all. He's the Founder & COO of Aspirant Learning, India's fastest-growing educational enterprise which has received several other awards from prominent institutions like IITs and IIMs. As a dedicated education and SDG Activist, Mr. Kumar has worked with over 150 institutions in India and received international acclaim in Sri Lanka for his public speaking and problem-solving skills. His vision is to empower India's youth, impacting over 10 Lakh students to up skill their profiles and become tomorrow's change makers. He has also guided students while judging more than 300 educational events in India.

  • Bhavika Dabur

    COO and Brand Strategist

    Bhavika Dabur currently serves as the COO at ECB Sustainable Youth Foundation, based in Delhi, India. What truly sets her apart is her role as the representative of India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO), the nodal agency of Government of India under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, where she contributes to shaping policies. She is a dynamic individual whose journey reflects a commitment to excellence and leadership. With a background at HSIIDC, Government of Haryana, where she contributed to business development and strategic planning, she has demonstrated a keen understanding of economic growth and foresight. Her achievements include recognition by Voyage Los Angeles, Times Square, DU Beat as 21U21 and acceptance into prestigious international conferences like UNCCD COP16 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Unite 2030 in New York and IYC Climate Summit'24 in Wolverhampton, United Kingdom.

  • Disha Shah

    co-founder

    Disha Shah is the co-founder of Safetyypins, a Banarasi clothing label she launched with my mother, Payal Shah, during the 2020 lockdown. When their family’s wholesale saree business came to a halt due to the pandemic, they turned adversity into opportunity by starting an online brand from home. Rooted in tradition but shaped by a modern voice, Safetyypins quickly grew into a platform that celebrates craftsmanship, creativity, and women-led entrepreneurship. Since then, they've been featured in Vogue India for our Kandhwa Banarasi handloom saris, launched multiple sold-out collections, and built a strong organic Instagram community. They've also connected directly with customers through pop-up events and exhibitions. Safetyypins has become a symbol of how heritage and modern design can coexist — and how powerful things can grow from the most uncertain times.

  • Dr Nitin Sarswat

    motivational speaker and mental health professional

    Dr Nitin is the founder of Moulding Thoughts, is a motivational speaker, a mental health professional and a life coach. He has worked with over half a million lives in 5 continents. His life is dedicated to making people grow with peace of mind. Dr Nitin Sarswat has helped people discover their higher purpose and manifest their success. His motto is to add smiles and instill love for self. With over 20 years of time-proven presence, 18000+ sessions delivered, being associated with over 20+ premier educational institutions globally, mentoring over 100 CEOs, 70+ corporate giants, 140+ NGOs, , 500+ parenting sessions, various governments and armed forces, he helps people rewrite their success & redefine rules of life- “a life that is fulfilling and blissful”.

  • Dr Sougand Akbarian

    iranian author and translator of indian literature

    Dr. Sougand Akbarian is an Assistant Professor of English with teaching experience in different countries and now at the Sharda School of Humanities and Social Sciences (SSHSS), Sharda University, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India. A distinguished scholar and researcher in English language, teaching, translation, and cultural studies, she has actively participated in and presented papers at national and international conferences in Iran, India, and globally. She is a resource person in English language studies for international academic programs and an Iranian bestselling translator and author specializing in Indian literature.

  • Dr Supriya Shah

    sitar player

    Dr. Supriya Shah stands as a distinguished figure in the realm of Hindustani classical music, celebrated for her mastery over the sitar. She has a deep rooted association with and is a worthy representative of the Madhubani -Maihar Gharana. A Senior Faculty in the Department of Instrumental Music at Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi, she has dedicated over two decades to nurturing the young aspirants of music. Dr. Shah has performed on prestigious stages across India and abroad, including the Sri Sankat Mochan International Music Festival, World Sitar Festival, and her concerts were broadcast by the Embassy of India in Tokyo and the Nehru Centre, London.

  • Nidhi Nigam

    clinical nutritionist and health coach

    Nidhi Nigam is a clinical Nutritionist, health Coach, and TEDx speaker with over 13 years of experience in therapeutic nutrition, weight management, and lifestyle counseling. As the founder of Nutrify with Nidhi Nigam, I’ve dedicated my career to helping individuals achieve their health goals through personalized, evidence-based strategies. Her journey in the field of nutrition has been one of passion, resilience, and impact. From transforming lives through holistic health approaches to empowering women with knowledge and confidence, her story needs to be heard—not just as an expert, but as someone who has witnessed firsthand the power of the right nutrition in shaping lives.

  • Padma Raj Keshri

    Sustainability expert and fashion innovator

    Mr Padma Raj Keshri, an innovative and resourceful sustainability professional with an exceptional portfolio of achievements in the area of sustainability, Traceability & Transparency with Sustainable attributes product development skillset comes with 10+ years of working experience in the Fashion & Textile industry. He is an alumnus of Esteemed Institutes of India an EMBA from IIM Indore, Digital Transformation, NID Ahmedabad 2017 (Masters in Design Textiles) NIFT Bengaluru 2013 (Bachelor of Design, Knitwear), He has been to STC, Swiss Textile College, Zurich (2011) for his exchange program. He is an active participant and won many awards participating in National & International competitions, such as the Gen Next at Lakme Fashion Week 2018, Wills Lifestyle Debut 2013, Blender’s Pride Fashion Tour 2019, The Wool Runway by The Woolmark Company Australia, Park Elle Decor Award for the most innovative Textile Design, etc.

  • Pratham Golcha

    climate activist

    Pratham Golcha's journey began in the culturally rich city of Nagpur, India—grounded in poetry, public speaking, and a passion for storytelling. What started as a child’s curiosity for language and debate soon turned into a life shaped by global conversations, pressing issues, and the relentless belief that words can shift the world. Today, he wears many hats—climate advocate, youth diplomat, researcher, trainer, writer, volunteer, podcaster—but each of these is bound by a single thread: to create impact through communication. He has had the privilege of working across five different United Nations commissions, engaging in critical conversations on sustainability, climate change, biodiversity, and mental health. At the same time, he works as a communications trainer, sustainability ambassador, and a writer for international climate platforms, constantly bridging the gap between policy and people.

  • Shikha Shah

    founder

    Shikha Shah is the founder and CEO of Scrapshala, which started in 2016 in the city of Banaras. Scrapshala is a homegrown brand of innovative, experimental and sustainable products for lifestyle, décor & gifting, designed and handcrafted from pre-existing raw materials by local Indian artisans. At their flagship store in Varanasi, people can explore handcrafted eco-friendly souvenirs and gift items inspired by the culture and hustle-bustle of Banaras and many other tourist destinations of India. They offer a wide range of engaging DIY hands-on workshop on up cycling to schools, NGOs, private groups, corporate and government bodies. Scrapshala’s humble journey and success story has been publishes in multiple media houses and business magazines such as Femina, TOI, ET, Shethepeople and many more.

Organizing team