Indian Institute of Management Kashipur (IIM Kashipur) hosted the Fifth edition of TEDxIIMKashipur, an independently organized TED event, in Kashipur on 19^th January. The TEDx journey of IIM Kashipur started in 2014, with this year’s theme “Beyond Conformity” paneling eminent speakers with diverse backgrounds from across the country and abroad, who shared their ideas and professional experiences.

The panel of distinguished speakers at the IIM Kashipur TEDx event included social activists like Mr. Manvendra Singh Gohil, an LGBTQ activist from the royal family of Rajpipla, Gujarat and Ms. Jo McGowan Chopra, the founder of Latika Roy Foundation which endlessly works for the children disadvantaged by poverty and disability.

Environmentalists like Padma Shri awardee Mr. Jadav Payeng popularly known as Forest Man of India who single-handedly planted a whole forest in Assam and Mr. Anoop Nautiyal, Founder of Gati Foundation, research, and policy-oriented think tank, embraced the stage.

Mr. Ashish Joshi, CEO- Classic Legends which recently got reintroduced as JAWA Motorcycles in the Indian market along with Ms. Peenaz Tyagi, journalist, and editor at News Nation were among the eminent speakers of the TEDx event.

The face of Yoga in Saudi Arabia, Ms. Nouf Marwaai, a Padma Shri Awardee and  Founder of Arab Yoga Foundation along with distinguished personalities like Capt. G.R. Choudhary, a Prisoner of War (1971 war) and retired Navy Officer, and Mr. Eshan Hilal, India’s first male belly dancer joined the panel of TEDx IIM Kashipur as its distinguished speakers.

Mr. Ashish talked about the conjunction of emotions and engineering and how we can bring them together to create a superlative experience of Emotional Engineering in building a brand.

Articulating the concerns about suppression of expression faced by the LGBTQ, Mr. Manvendra Singh Gohil stated how the breakthrough decision by Supreme Court about Section 377 has helped in solidifying the community’s movement on the ground. Ms. Nouf Marwaai talked about self-control and empowerment stating that all the limitations we have, are put on by ourselves and it is just a matter of right choice that we need to make.

Mr. Anoop Nautiyal expressed his concerns about rapidly surging urbanization and political weakening of mountains. He was hopeful that improving connectivity will play an important role in reversing this trend.

Mr. Jadav Payeng reminded us of our responsibility of taking care of our environment. Ms. Peenaj Tyagi said that journey towards beyond conformity starts from home and your acceptance of yourself as you are. Ms. Jo McGowan Chopra advised us to be prepared for surprises in case we choose to go beyond conformity. She expressed her belief in loving people as they are, in all their weakness and in their vulnerabilities.

Sharing his experiences, Captain G R Choudhary said that things fall apart when you think you have control in life. He stated that good health and fitness are the best gifts which you can give to yourself. Talking about the shackles prevalent about the freedom in Indian society, Mr. Eshan Hilal stated that one should not be judged on the basis of the clothing or the choice of colors.

The event TEDxIIMKashipur was a celebration of those who dared defy the norms of the society to carve their own path. The event was successful in creating a lasting impact on the audience, which also included school children from the nearby government schools, by widening their lens of thoughts and perspective to look differently at the society.