The Orbis School Brings TEDx to Life as a Transformative Learning Experience for Students

Mundhwa, 17th January 2026: In an era marked by constant change and evolving global challenges, academic achievement alone is no longer sufficient to equip students for the future. Educational platforms that promote critical thinking, articulate self-expression, and leadership are essential in shaping confident, well-rounded individuals. Among these, TEDx has emerged as a powerful global forum that encourages young minds to engage deeply with ideas that inspire meaningful change.

Unlike traditional competitions that focus on rankings and awards, TEDx is grounded in the philosophy of “ideas worth spreading.” It invites both speakers and audiences to explore diverse perspectives, challenge assumptions, and communicate ideas with clarity and conviction. For students, early exposure to such platforms fosters curiosity, courage, and a strong sense of self-belief.

The learning derived from TEDx extends far beyond the classroom. Whether participating as speakers or audience members, students develop vital communication and listening skills through compelling storytelling and thoughtfully structured ideas. The experience nurtures confidence, emotional intelligence, and the ability to connect authentically with others.

Additionally, TEDx discussions introduce students to a wide range of topics—including climate change, technology, mental health, and social issues—thereby sharpening analytical and critical thinking abilities.

A key strength of TEDx lies in its global outlook. By presenting ideas from varied cultures and disciplines, it broadens students’ worldviews and highlights the interconnected nature of modern-day challenges. This exposure cultivates aspiration, empathy, and social responsibility, motivating students to look beyond themselves and contribute positively to society.

Reflecting these values, The Orbis School, Keshav Nagar, hosted TEDxOrbis School Youth on Saturday, 20th December 2025, under the theme “A Quiet Revolution.” The event explored thought-provoking themes such as minimising modern noise, lateral versus vertical thinking, Gen Z activism, war and climate change, and breaking free from the illusion of social media perfection.

Talented young speakers from schools across Pune presented original ideas with confidence and maturity. Students from The Orbis School, Keshav Nagar and Mundhwa, along with participants from The Orchid School, Knowledge Habitat, and MIT WPU, came together to create a vibrant exchange of perspectives.

Through initiatives like TEDxOrbis School Youth, The Orbis School continues to reaffirm its commitment to holistic education—where academic learning is complemented by experiences that prepare students for life beyond examinations and nurture confident thinkers ready to engage with the world.

The event was led and organised by student teams from Classes 8 and above, exemplifying leadership and collaboration. The school’s student IT team—Ayush Sao, Sumedh Mathkar, Shaurya Telang, and Avadhoot Patne—under the guidance of HOD Ms. Veronica Dorairaj, developed the digital presence for the event in collaboration with the social media team led by Mr. Karan Ghare, who also oversaw logistics and vendor coordination. Every detail reflected precision, quality, and thoughtful planning.

The TEDx logo was conceptualised and designed by students Akanksha Dasgupta and Sofiya Tamboli. Through multiple iterations, creative exploration, and the mentorship of Ms. Trina Bhattacharya, the students produced a logo that beautifully captured the spirit of the theme and the ethos of the school.

Auditions and mentoring were led by Ms. Anjali Srivastava, Ms. Pushpa Bhat, Ms. Sukhjeet Kaur, Ms. Disha Chauhan, Ms. Olivia Mamani, and Ms. Farheen Shaikh, who devoted hours to evaluating ideas, offering constructive feedback, and nurturing the young speakers with patience and encouragement.

Student compères Jitansh Jaiswal, Rudrani, Pakhi, and Chaitanya anchored the event with poise, ensuring a seamless flow and sustained engagement throughout the programme.
Adding depth and emotion to the event were artistic performances, including a dance recital by Vaibhavi Kulkarni, Sahasra Madeshi, and Ruchi; choir and instrumental performances by Gayathri N, Shaneet Bhattacharya, Kshitij Agarwal, Varadh Puranik, Anand Maurya, Yashashvi Jain, Krishay Nanavati, Akanksha Dasgupta, Vedant Shinde, Garv Gupta, Swara Kanade, Krisha Mehta, Durva S, and Manvi; and energetic Zumba performances. These elements, curated under the guidance of Ms. Nidhi Dhume, Ms. Disha Chauhan, and Ms. Trina Bhattacharya, ensured that ideas were not just heard but truly felt.

Student duties, including support from NCC volunteers, layout, and seating arrangements, were managed by Ms. Jyothi Pillay and Ms. Meenakshi Mukhi, while overall coordination was seamlessly handled by Ms. Neha Gupte and Ms. Sonika Babbar. The entire event—from ideation and planning to execution—was led by Vice Principal Ms. Sheena Sethi.

Reflecting on the journey, the planning team shared that organising TEDxOrbis School was both demanding and deeply fulfilling. From securing the license to mentoring speakers and managing every detail, the team worked tirelessly to deliver an authentic TEDx experience. The true reward lay in witnessing students discover their potential as confident communicators and emerging thought leaders.

Ms. Veronica Dorairaj observed that “a Quiet Revolution is unfolding through the quiet strength of young people who choose knowledge, balance, and purpose over despair.” Ms. Anjali Srivastava and Ms. Pushpa Bhat echoed similar sentiments, expressing immense joy in watching students articulate ideas with confidence and maturity, emphasising that the collective effort contributed significantly to everyone’s growth.

Audience and parent feedback further affirmed the event’s impact. Ms. Poonam Sahoo remarked that every moment was engaging and praised the confidence of the young speakers. Ms. Neelam Sanghvi, parent of speaker Arham Sanghvi, shared that the experience enhanced her child’s curiosity, confidence, and enthusiasm for learning.

Student speakers reflected deeply on their journey. Nidhi Shinde valued the opportunity to connect with others, while Arham Sanghvi appreciated learning from diverse ideas and experiences. Josh Sahasrabuddhe shared that although initially nervous, the TEDx Salon sessions boosted his confidence and made the experience memorable.

Divyansh Bohra described the platform as a blessing for sharing ideas, while Reya Sahu credited the event with significantly improving her public speaking confidence. India Panicker called the TEDx stage a defining and thought-provoking milestone, while Sreedevi reflected on how exploring lateral and vertical thinking helped her balance logic and creativity. Vedang Paatil summed up the experience as a powerful platform for expressing ideas that shape the modern world.