Navigating the Terrain of 'Our Identity' - TEDxGSIS 2022

Empowering Ideas: Reflecting on TEDxGSIS 2022 - A Journey of Identity and Discovery

We are thrilled to share a significant accomplishment at Good Shepherd International School, Ooty – the authorization to host our independent TEDx event. This remarkable opportunity has allowed us to establish a platform where brilliant minds from various domains converge, fostering meaningful connections and discussions. Our inaugural TEDx event, held on November 15th, 2022, marked a pivotal moment in advancing knowledge, collaboration, and innovation within our dynamic community, encompassing students, parents, alumni, and more.

Unveiling the Central Theme: ‘Identity’

In a world shaped by a multitude of influences, each individual crafts a unique identity that stems from a complex interplay of factors – societal norms, family background, ethnicity, race, cultural affiliations, geographical context, personal opportunities, interests, physical appearance, self-expression, and life’s individual experiences. This intricate web of identity, while socially constructed, continually evolves through interactions with diverse social, cultural, and political landscapes.

Navigating Identity in the 21st Century

The dawn of the 21st century has ushered in a period of transformation and challenge in our understanding of identity. As societal norms undergo evolution and global perspectives expand, the very notion of identity faces examination and redefinition. In this dynamic era, our individual identity wields significant influence over our worldview and personal choices. Thus, we chose ‘Identity’ as our theme, recognizing the potential for profound impact on each participant.

Illuminating Perspectives: A Catalyst for Connection

The inaugural TEDxGSIS event served as a catalyst, igniting conversations, forging connections, and nurturing an environment of innovation. Our carefully curated lineup of speakers brought diverse perspectives to the forefront, sharing personal anecdotes and professional insights that illuminated the intricate tapestry of ‘Our Identity.’ Their talks delved into the complex interplay between personal experiences and the broader social and cultural contexts that contribute to our sense of self.

Gratitude and Anticipation

Our gratitude extends to the speakers, attendees, and the dedicated team whose tireless efforts ensured the triumph of TEDxGSIS 2022. This event embodies our commitment to fostering open dialogue, idea exchange, and collaborative growth. The power of shared ideas possesses the potential to transform lives and positively influence societies.

As we look back on this journey of self-discovery and identity, we anticipate that the discussions ignited by TEDxGSIS 2022 will reverberate and inspire for years to come. We welcome you to stay engaged with us as we embark on further endeavors to cultivate a community of learners, thinkers, and change-makers.

Stay Connected

Stay tuned for updates and details on upcoming events as we persistently celebrate and embrace the diverse ideas shaping our world.

Speakers TEDxGSIS 2022

Aman Agarwal

TEDx Speaker, Public Speaking Coach, National level debater and MUNner, Lifelong learner

Aman is a multifaceted individual who has many feathers on his cap. He has taken up diverse roles of leadership, management and teaching from his early school days itself. He is currently a member of SkillSphere Education’s core team as a Senior Manager; having evolved from being a freelance trainer to one of its most respected, experienced and competent trainers across India. Apart from conducting teacher training workshops in reputed schools, Aman has extensively trained students in public speaking and life skills across India and the Middle East, impacting the lives of over 25,000 individuals across 110 schools since 2016.

Ankit Bhuptani

TEDx & JoshTalk Speaker, Human Rights advocate, and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) professional. LGBTQ+ Rights Activist Founder – @QueerHinduAlliance Awarded DEI Global Leader Delegate – United Nations

He is a TEDx & JoshTalk Speaker, Human Rights advocate and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) professional with 10+ years of experience in the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) space, recognized for working well with people from different backgrounds with a primary focus on LGBTQIA+ community. His professional focal points include policy analysis and development, team collaboration, motivation and strategic planning. He has been awarded the ‘Global Diversity & Inclusion Leadership Award’ by the World HRD Congress & have addressed the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC). As a part of his advocacy work, he has worked with stakeholders including, but not limited to, corporate houses, law enforcement agencies, educational institutes, lawyers and influencers on national as well as international forums. He employs advocacy tools such as public speaking, gender and sexuality workshops, panel discussions, film screenings, webinars and collaborations with brands/celebrities.

Astha Sharma

A Product Owner | Design Thinking Practitioner | Data and Cloud Solution Architect driving automation and innovation in the space of Data and AI

Astha is a fitness enthusiast, who believes in being mindful of what we feed our mind, body, and soul. She is a trained classical dancer, having practiced for about 16 years.. She love outdoor and adventure sports; trekked the Himalayas up to 15,750 ft, ran a full marathon, dived in the sea, done road trips, and traveled well. She plays the role of a mentor at work and in her personal life too. She is a design thinking practitioner. She has 17+ years of professional experience diversified in the field of Data and Interaction Science. She is a Data and Cloud Solution Architect and a product owner of a product she has filed a patent for. She has her own entrepreneurial interests, identified a gap in the market, built a product from scratch, and now lead a team that is solely working on this where am actively pursuing the thought of designing sustainable technology practices.

Tarun Chhabra

Dentist by profession. Author of the book “The Toda Landscape – Explorations in Cultural Ecology”. An expert on Toda culture and spent long years learning about this tribal group.

Ooty-based dentist, 49-year-old Tarun Chhabra, is an expert on Toda culture and is possibly one of the few outsiders who can speak their language fluently. Tarun has also joined in the community task of thatching the revered conical temple. He accompanied the tribesmen to the western slopes of the Nilgiri rainforest to collect rattan cane for the job. Today, the Toda way of life is at a crossroads with just about 1,400 traditional tribespeople left. The Toda Nalavaaazhvu Sangam, set up by Tarun in 1992, primarily works to preserve their culture and provide better healthcare. It has rebuilt abandoned temples and migration hamlets where the pastoral tribesmen stay when they take their cattle grazing. Tarun has also set up an NGO, Edhkwehlynawd Botanical Refuge Centre Trust , to conserve the flora and fauna of the land and to re-establish native species and to study the fauna of the area.

Vir Philip

Entrepreneur, life Coach, social activist, motivational speaker & story teller.

Vir Philip is a very prominent youth mentor & trainer, who has been part of various organization like CanSupport, Rotary, MUN’s etc. He is also a very passionate Rotarian & Rotaractor with an experience of 14 years, where he had served at various positions and currently serving as a Vice-President of Rotary Club of New Delhi of RID 3011.Being diagnosed with a learning disability at a very young age, Phillip struggled at school but managed to soar through without giving up. He studied at a Boarding School in the US, before his family moved back to India. The experience, he often says, helped him overcome his weaknesses and identify his strengths. He went to Lynn University Florida to study International Relations and become the Co-Founder and Chartered President of Rotaract Club in 2010 and later on. Vir joined the Commonwealth Games Accreditation Department in 2015. He started his own company as JMD Turf, which is presently working on creating playgrounds & work places water friendly.

Rashi Jain

Ceramic Artist of International Repute. She is a member of the International Academy of Ceramics IAC, NCECA Multi-Cultural Fellow and recipient of Alps Art Academy/Land Art scholarship, Switzerland.

Rashi Jain has trained at The Golden Bridge Pottery, Pondicherry and Valley School, Bangalore. She has exhibited across India and internationally, such as Paper Clay Illuminated, which toured across United States at NEHMA, Daum, Fuller Craft Museums, Porcelain India (Habitat Center, Delhi), Bridges: Indian Contemporary Ceramics (Stainless, Delhi), Earth Matters (Indo Korean Center & Lalit Kala Akademi, Chennai) and Jar of Secrets (Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai, Solo show). She has co-founded India’s first Studio Potters’ Market, and co-curates, at The Kala Ghoda Arts Festival, Mumbai. Her work bridges intuitive thoughts arising within, from deep silence, expresses it in symbols, through the experience of the relationship between inner and outer worlds, which flows into figurative, sculptural ceramic forms.

Shefali Chopra

Shefali Chopra is a Story Evangelist, Motivational Speaker, a Positive Influencer, a Theatre Exponent an Organ donor.

Shefali Chopra is the Vice President, WICCI Haryana and Founder of Sal Tree where where she trains people for voice modulation, theatrical expression and effective speaking “ She created quite a stir when she became a storyteller. Shefali has been an involved and evolved storyteller, always finding opportunities to give back to the community. She has been a part of several shows , webinar’s, schools and corporates as a Motivational Speaker, where the emphasis is “One Story Can Change Many Lives “. She has her Youtube channel, Storylines by Shefali Chopra. The connect she makes with people is genuine and beautiful. The idea of inspiring people’s lives through the stories is very close to her heart. Creating Smiles is something she strongly endorses.

tedxGSIS Team

Meet the team behind the success of TedXGSIS 2022.

SHIV PUNJABI

SCHOOL CAPTAIN

HEMANGINI

SCHOOL CAPTAIN

NAMYA

STUDENT

RIVA

STUDENT

JANE

STUDENT

VEDAN AGARWAL

STUDNET

PRAGATI

STUDENT