TEDx Shahpura Lake 2026 brought together inspiring voices from leadership, sports, technology, social impact, and creative fields, who shared powerful stories around the theme “After the Beginning.” AISECT India is the Lead Partner, Scope Global Skills University (SGSU) is the University Partner, and Rabindranath Tagore University (RNTU) is the Academic Partner for the initiative.
The event explored what happens after the first step—when courage, resilience, learning and persistence turn new beginnings into meaningful journeys.
Isha Chitnis spoke about the five enemies of a new beginning—self-doubt, the fear of being a beginner, comparison, an all-or-nothing mindset and not waiting long enough for results. She encouraged audiences to embrace experimentation, perseverance, and gradual progress rather than chasing perfection.
Bhawna Jaiswal shared her journey from a middle-class family to professional sport, recalling how she overcame doubts about her abilities and represented her school at the CBSE state level. She highlighted how sport taught her discipline, independence, and resilience, while challenging the belief that young people must restrict themselves to a single career or passion.
Young innovator Lakshveer spoke about his journey in electronics, robotics and AI and the barriers he faced because of his age. His message was clear: being young does not mean being incapable. He urged parents to give children access, time, and support, and encouraged them to ask, “What do you want to build today?”
Dr. Himanshu Rai, Director, IIM Indore, urged people to distinguish between needs and desires and introduced “Refuse” as the fourth R alongside Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. Drawing from his own career transition and the Bhagavad Gita, he encouraged audiences to overcome fear and pursue unconventional choices with courage.
Neha Saxena explored the “Trap of Noble Sacrifice”, highlighting how women, particularly mothers and caregivers, are often expected to give up their careers and identities. She called for a society where caregiving, ambition and individual identity can coexist.
Anil Gulati, UNICEF, shared his unconventional professional journey and spoke about finding purpose through social impact. Through the inspiring story of Goranchi, a young athlete with hearing and speech challenges who went on to win medals at international competitions and advocate for disability rights, he highlighted the transformative power of opportunity and support.
Jayant Mudra challenged conventional definitions of career success, sharing his journey from aspiring for IIT and engineering to exploring writing, public speaking, analytics, consulting, and entrepreneurship. He emphasised learning, exploration and long-term growth over prestige or immediate financial rewards.
Dr. Siddharth Chaturvedi, Executive Vice-President, AISECT India and Chancellor, Scope Global Skills University, said, “TEDx is a powerful platform for ideas that challenge conventional thinking and inspire people to look at possibilities differently. ‘After the Beginning’ reminds us that starting something is only the first step; real transformation comes through persistence, learning and the courage to continue. Such platforms are especially valuable for young people as they encourage them to question, experiment and create their own paths.”
Dr. Aditi Chaturvedi, Pro-Chancellor, Rabindranath Tagore University, said, “The diversity of voices and experiences at TEDx Shahpura Lake reflects the power of ideas to inspire meaningful change. Young people need spaces where they can encounter different perspectives, learn from lived experiences and develop the confidence to pursue their aspirations. ‘After the Beginning’ beautifully captures the journey of growth that follows every first step.”
The event concluded with engaging interactions between speakers, students, educators, entrepreneurs, and professionals, creating a vibrant exchange of ideas and perspectives. Through stories of resilience, innovation, leadership, and purpose, TEDx Shahpura Lake 2026 inspired audiences to look beyond the excitement of a new beginning and focus on the persistence, learning and courage required to sustain meaningful change.