Inspiring stories of embracing adversities, brave conversations, navigating difficulties at TEDx FIIB conference

Dr. Gunwant Singh Mongia of Mongia Steel Limited shared his vision for disrupting the not-for-profit business space, Chitra Zutshi - "The Girl on Wheels," shared her inspiring story of overcoming challenges in a paraplegic condition at the TEDx conference that was organized by Fortune Institute of International Business (FIIB), New Delhi, 

Themed "Brave Conversations: Navigating Difficult Dialogues," the day-long conference featured engaging talks from diverse speakers, including eminent personalities, faculty, and students, captivating the audience with their insights and experiences in the 5th edition of TEDxFIIB in the Ishwar Dayal Auditorium.

 

The latest installment of TEDx FIIB, 'Brave Conversations: Navigating Difficulties,' decoded the secrets to confronting challenges, embracing the unknown, and finding the courage to move forward, even when the path seems daunting.

The panel of distinguished speakers at the TEDxFIIB event included Dr. Gunwant Singh Mongia, Chairman and MD of Mongia Steel Limited, who captivated the audience with his vision for disrupting the not-for-profit business space. He emphasized the importance of community development alongside business growth, showcasing a well-researched plan that could revolutionize nonprofit practices in India and beyond.

 

Biswajeet Jha, a Social Worker, Social Entrepreneur, and Author, then took the audience on a journey of self-discovery and service. Leaving behind a corporate career, Jha's initiatives, including free schools and football academies for underprivileged children in West Bengal, showcased the power of dedication and compassion in creating meaningful change. The stage was then graced by Pukhraj Joneja, CEO of Udaan India, who embodied servant leadership and commitment to excellence. With credentials from prestigious institutions, Joneja emphasized the importance of holistic growth and personal development in achieving success.

Chitra Zutshi, known as "The Girl on Wheels," shared her inspiring story of overcoming challenges in a paraplegic condition. Her resilience and determination, evident in accomplishments such as completing a 10K Marathon and being a finalist for Harley Davidson's World's Best Job contest, inspired the audience to embrace adversity and strive for greatness.

Dr. Ehteshaam Waquarib, an IPS Officer from the Jharkhand Cadre, then shed light on his impactful work in combating naxalism and human trafficking. His dedication to public service and tireless efforts in upholding justice left a lasting impression on the audience. Niraj Gera, a Social Activist and Founder Chairman of Humanify Foundation, brought attention to menstruation stigma through his powerful photo series, "Sacred Stains." His advocacy for women's rights and empowerment sparked intellectual conversations on gender equality and social justice.

The event also featured collaborative efforts by Nirupama Subramanian and S. Venkatesh, who discussed strategies for empowering marginalized communities. Through their insightful dialogue, they highlighted the importance of unity and solidarity in creating positive change. Pritiman Sarkar, Senior Vice President at SBICard, an alumnus of FIIB, shared his challenging journey during the COVID era, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing connections over conventional necessities.

Among others who took the center stage were Iytha Mallikarjuna, a Social Entrepreneur and Founder & CEO of IDEA, who highlighted the importance of inclusivity and empowerment in entrepreneurship, Dr. Sakshi Kathuria, Assistant Professor at FIIB, who advocated for breaking the silence on issues like dowry and empowering women. Her brave conversations inspired the audience to stand up for themselves and pave the way for positive change. Anoushika Verma, a PGDM student at FIIB, shared her transformative experiences from an introverted individual to a confident scholar and emphasized the importance of honest communication through journal writing. Her insights resonated with many, sparking conversations on self-acceptance and understanding.

As the event concluded, the auditorium was brimming with energy and excitement, and attendees were left inspired and motivated to embark on their own journeys of change and empowerment. The insightful talks, coupled with the captivating aura of the event and the active engagement of the audience, created a powerful platform for futuristic thinking and the exchange of ideas. 

Enlightening master classes, power-packed sessions at the 15th Nasscom Global Inclusion Summit

15th Nasscom Global Inclusion Summit

Just as diversity stands as the torso, it must be supported by the two essential legs of Equity and Inclusion.

These words by Rostov Ravanan summed up the core of the 15th edition of the nasscom Global Inclusion Summit, jointly hosted by Nasscom and Nasscom Foundation, that just concluded in Bengaluru..

 

Over 600 delegates from all walks of life gathered to celebrate diversity, understand the inclusive leadership nuances and question the status quo of ways of thinking.  

 

The event hosted keynotes, multiple workshops and master classes addressing subjects such as inclusion of deaf people, empowering people with disabilities, neurodiversity, LGBTQIA+ inclusivity in the workplace, etc

 

Paving the way for a robust inclusive culture primed for extraordinary growth, this summit has been instrumental in promoting real-life actions, such as embracing assistive technologies, sharing best practices, fostering mentorship, and cultivating industry diversity. It served as a dynamic platform, offering immersive experiences to deepen our understanding of inclusion alongside tangible real-world initiatives. Progressive leaders, educators, LGBTQIA+ representatives, persons with disabilities, and individuals from diverse backgrounds converged over the two-day event to deliberate on transformative steps and solutions needed to drive intentional shifts in work cultures and catalyze changes in employees' mindsets, behaviours, and capabilities

 

The two-day event showcased a dynamic array of power-packed sessions, enlightening masterclasses, an immersive inclusion experience center, a human library, and engaging conversation formats. It exemplified the tangible milestones necessary for building an inclusive workplace with measurable outcomes. Additionally, the summit featured various workshops and keynote addresses delving into diverse themes such as ‘Inclusion of Deaf People in the Workplace, Empowering People with Disabilities, neurodiversity, breaking the power culture, LGBTQIA+ inclusivity in the workplace, Moving ahead in the line – Global Best Practices for Empowering Gender Equality and Advancing Women's Rights, Developing Deeper Sensitivity for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging etc.

 

During the keynote, Nidhi Bhasin, CEO, nasscom foundation said “A recent survey highlights that 77% of employers recognize the importance of diversity and are committed to establishing an inclusive environment that promotes the flourishing of all individuals. Noteworthy strides have been made in cultivating acceptance, resulting in an increase in the LGBTQIA+ community's sense of safety and empowerment. Similar endeavors extend to other dimensions of diversity, including Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) and beyond.  In this transformative era, we believe in actionable inclusion, fostering an environment where everyone thrives. At the 15th edition of the nasscom Global Inclusion Summit, our efforts are firmly focused on achieving this transformative goal and strengthening it further by underlining the need for Real World Actions for mainstreaming inclusion."

 

During his address, Rostow Ravanan, Chairman and CEO, Alfahive Inc. and Chairperson, nasscom foundation said that "Embracing inclusion and diversity is not only a positive approach, but it is also the pathway to creating equitable and inclusive organizations. Just as diversity stands as the torso, it must be supported by the two essential legs of Equity and Inclusion. While we have made heartening progress on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, it has yet to fully permeate as an institutionalized, internalized, and mainstream way of life. The 15th Edition of the nasscom Global Inclusion Summit serves as a remarkable platform to recognize companies who have implemented impactful DEI programs and serve as a catalyst for change to drive progress towards a more inclusive, equitable and diverse society."

 

With the theme of 'Real-World Actions for Mainstreaming Inclusion', the event featured industry stalwarts including the likes of Nidhi Bhasin, CEO, nasscom foundation; Rostow Ravanan, Chairperson, nasscom foundation; Rajesh Nambiar, Vice Chairperson, nasscom and Executive Vice President, Chairman and Managing Director, Cognizant India; Sanjay Dawar, Managing Director, Global Strategy & Consulting, Accenture; Sunita Rebecca Cherian, Chief Culture Officer & Senior Vice President Human Resources, Wipro; Dr. Rohini Srivathsa, National Technology Officer, Microsoft India; Ray Simon, Head of HR for Global Engineering Centres, Capgemini Engineering, etc.

 

With over 600 delegates and 37 speakers, the event experienced incredible success as the attendees and speakers walked away with a whiteboard full of thought-provoking ideas and new perspectives on mainstreaming inclusion. The event's culmination was graced by the presence of renowned screenwriter Gazal Dhaliwal, who passionately explored the importance of fostering diversity and inclusion. Furthermore, there was a captivating musical experience by the legendary band Thermal and a Quarter (TAAQ), renowned for their influential presence in the Indian music scene for over 25 years.