Celebrating Our Success: TEDxCivilLines Women Talks Go Global!

When I first began planning TEDxCivilLines Women in the first edition itself 2 years before, I knew it would be a challenge to find speakers who truly embodied the spirit of the event—those with compelling stories of self-discovery, resilience, and empowerment.

This year I was quit sure what I need to do and how we can get the nest voices of the city on board. I remember countless discussions with Manjusha Joshi, our Curator, about finding the right voices. We sifted through many suggestions and received numerous messages from people eager to share their stories. It wasn't easy to say no, but we were committed to finding genuine stories that could resonate with a broader audience. Many thanks to #TED team for giving this opportunity to me and considering me worth to get the license.

In the end, we found exactly what we were looking for—seven incredible women from Nagpur who have made significant contributions in diverse fields such as industry, social work, law, healthcare, dance, and research. These women were more than just accomplished professionals; they were living examples of what it means to be empowered, courageous, and true to oneself.

Our event, “Being Me,” held at the Raisoni College auditorium in collaboration with Raisoni Foundation, featured an inspiring lineup. 

We had Snehal Kashyap

(https://youtu.be/WAW709unxLk?si=hCJ0P3djvs0Z-V9U),

a passionate social activist who founded the “Ae Zindagi Foundation” to support differently-abled children and their parents—a journey inspired by her experience as a mother of a child with cerebral palsy. 

Neerja Pathania (https://youtu.be/zudrXk8kwQ8?si=rLtyE1XuT3sieAZZ) , an entrepreneur, shared her story of leveraging her networking skills during the COVID-19 pandemic to help those in need, reminding us of the power of community and connection.

Advocate Smita Singalkar (https://youtu.be/bymx-dgdGWM?si=rCmF2UrrVyNm5DCo) took the stage to discuss critical issues about women’s rights and laws, 

while Priyanka Abhyankar (https://youtu.be/EukUsQ92O8Q?si=2yThSWaQzGQOupcR), a Kathak dancer, mesmerized us with her journey from passion to inner bliss through dance. 

Priti Ramakrishnan (https://youtu.be/4naAZqug-jA?si=wgECPO33yM3sK4MP), Co-founder of ImmverseAI, gave a thought-provoking presentation on how AI technology can be used to promote ancient Indian Vedic knowledge, blending tradition with modern innovation. 

Dr. Neelam Chhajed (https://youtu.be/K3azJ51HHBA?si=7FZjG1zHzfAavfgf) provided deep insights into the role of genetics in modern obstetrics, and 

Palak Sethiya (https://youtu.be/od5QpZgUUHs?si=T8NKZo-Ybvmnd3Ql), Director of Gold Circle Ventures, shared personal reflections on how small actions can shape our future.

Every single one of these talks was powerful, moving, and thought-provoking. And today, I am overjoyed to share that all of these talks have been approved and are now available on the #TED global platform! This incredible achievement is something that fills me with immense happiness and pride.

I won’t lie; the journey to this point wasn’t smooth. Manjusha and I had our fair share of calls, heated discussions, and debates about which stories would truly resonate with our audience and make an impact. We often had differing opinions, but what kept us going was our shared commitment to showcase the stories that deserved to be heard. It was all about finding those authentic voices who could inspire others through their journeys of self-discovery and empowerment. There were moments when tensions ran high, and yes, I did scold quite a few people along the way—including some of our speakers and team members. But every word spoken came from a place of passion and a desire to push everyone to deliver their best.

I’m incredibly grateful to everyone who made this possible. From our fantastic PR team to the volunteers who worked tirelessly behind the scenes, and to our inspiring speakers—thank you for bringing your passion, energy, and authenticity to the stage. A special shoutout to our wonderful partner, Dr. Amina Vali, Great Supporter Mr. Sunil Raisoni and our dynamic anchor, Dr. Sakina Raghib, who kept the audience engaged throughout the event. Cannot miss thanking Lakhvinder and Snehal because of whom I can focus on other assignments too.

Reflecting on this journey, I am reminded of how powerful teamwork and collaboration can be. There were moments when we faced challenges and had tough conversations, but every single person involved brought their best to the table, and that made all the difference. The success we achieved is truly a collective one, and it’s a shining example of what we can accomplish when we come together with a shared vision.

Looking ahead, I’m excited for what’s next. I know that with this incredible team and the continued support of our community, we will continue to bring inspiring stories to the global stage. Here’s to more successful events, more powerful stories, and more moments that make us all proud!