14/04/2017
DTU reimagines togetherness in New Delhi
Delhi Technological University recently hosted the latest edition of TEDxDTU on 18.03.2017.
The 90-member strong organizing committee successfully organized the independently organized TED event. TED, which
stands for Technology, Entertainment, and Design, is a non-profit media organization which posts talks online for free
distribution, under the slogan "Ideas worth spreading". The theme for TEDxDTU 2017 was “Because Grey Matters”
which aimed to present a vision of the spectrum of various fields and its impact on other’s lives, the good and the bad.
The proceedings of the day started with invoking blessings of the Almighty, in the presence of Prof Yogesh Singh - Vice
Chancellor, Delhi Technological University, Faculty Advisors - Prof. Nand Kumar, Prof. Ranganath Singari, Prof. Parinita
Sinha, Prof. Shailesh Pandey, members of faculty and esteemed speakers for the day. This was followed by a
performance by rising progressive-rock band “Above The Shadows”.
The first speaker to take the stage was Dr. Nandini Sundar. Her talk revolved around the economic and social obstacles
faced by Adivasis and their diminishing distinct identities due to state policies. Mr. Onkar Khullar talked about self-help
and his insights on how efficient channeling of energy turned his life around. Ms. Premlata Agrawal is the first Indian
female mountaineer to scale the Seven Summits. A Padma-Shri awardee, she started mountaineering at the late age of
37. Her talk “Height of Destiny” was focused on her struggles and journey from being a housewife to scaling the Everest.
Mr. Sanjay Aggarwal, Managing Director of Finnish energy company Fortum and an alumnus of DTU, talked about the
need for solar power and its significance in our progress in his talk, “In Search of Energy Immortality". Ms. Aranyani
Bhargav who is an acclaimed Bharatanatyam dancer and choreographer shed light on the reimagination of history of
Bharatanatyam and caste dynamics in classical dance.
Next up was Mr. Tanmoy Chakrabarty who is the Vice President & Global Head at the Government Industry Solutions
Unit (ISU) at Tata Consultancy Services Limited (TCS). Mr. Chakrabarty brought to the limelight the need for reducing the
digital divide and how it can reduce corruption and increase employment in the remotest parts of the country.
Ms. Rajashree Agarwal was the next speaker. She specializes in probabilistic systems, AI, global catastrophic risk and
incentive structures. Her talk emphasized on increasing reliance on algorithms and data science to solve complex
problems by exploring all the permutations and combinations with accuracy and speed.
The Rural India Project (TRIP) is a rural storytelling initiative by a group of students from the School of Communication at
Manipal University. The talk attempted to bring stories of rural India to the national forefront.
Mr. Rishabh Seen, who is touted as the youngest classical music player in the country and the world's first Metal Sitar
player shed light on his musical background and his love for Metal and Classical music through his talk, ‘5 Magical
Approaches for Achieving the Impossible’.
An eminent singer and one half of the Mumbai based electronic duo Shaa'ir and Func, Ms. Monica Dogra was the last
speaker for the event. Her talk, ‘The Need for Intimacy in the Digital Age’ aimed to highlight the lack of human
connection and interaction in urban spheres and how it is eating away the very roots of our society. Her talk was
highlighted by her slam-poetry and singing, which left the audience in awe.
The attendees gave favorable reviews to the spectacle.
