We have all been reading up on TEDx events, sharing videos and some have also been lucky to attend a few of the versions. And now added to the list of must-attend events is TEDx Secunderabad.
The first edition of this event is being organised by a bunch of working professionals and students, all alumni of exchange programmes organised by the US Consulate General, who is supporting the event.
Talking about how TEDx Secunderabad came into being, Nabeel Adeni, the licensee of the event says, “I had always wanted to organise a TED event. I had organised similar events earlier, but this was always my dream. It took me over two months to get the license for the event. At first, we had suggested TEDx Golconda but that was rejected, so then we went ahead with TEDx Secunderabad.” Following the approval, Nabeel got a team in place with the help of the US Consulate. “We have an excellent network for the alumni of exchange programmes. An email was sent out and soon we put the team together.”
The team of course, is very excited. Aradhana George, a student at SNIST and a team member says, “From being an attendee or follower of TEDx events to today being an organiser, it’s really exciting.”
Surprisingly, the whole team met for the first time only during the DC interview. “It’s actually an incredible thing. Till now, we had been organising the whole thing online, through emails mostly,” says Aradhana.
But the event isn’t open for all, the team is now accepting applications from people to attend the event. “We have been given a limit of 100 audience members. We started accepting applications from September 10 and have already received over 75 applications,” says Nabeel, while Aradhana adds, “It’s an extensive application process, where they have to fill out a form and then write an essay as well. We are urging people to actually spare some time for the application process because we can easily recognise a form that has been filled in 10 minutes on a smartphone.”
Zainab Shoeb Samad, another team member, adds, “We are looking at people who have an interest in the issues our speakers will be talking about or want to know more about it.”
The theme of the event is Unlocking South Asia’s Potential and there will be 10 speakers at the event. Talking about it, Nabeel says, “We are looking at problems related to South Asia and thus, we have speakers coming in not just from different parts of India but also from Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and Pakistan.” “We are looking at this event as something that will continue and not just wrap up with one edition,” says Aradhana.
While Nabeel says “it’s a tough job” handling work and organising an event, the students on the team are more than happy. Ashley Shams, a student says, “I’m a really shy person, but being a part of such events gives me more confidence.”
