Anant National University (AnantU), a leading design university in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, is excited to host TEDxAnantU, an independent event licensed under TED. Themed on ‘Restore, Reach Out and Rejunevate’, the ethos that AnantU abides by, the event aims to bring together experts, practitioners and driven individuals to share ideas that will help youth to adapt to the ever-changing world.

TEDxAnantU brought together experts, practitioners and inspirational thought leaders to share ideas, encouraging the youth to adapt to an ever-changing world. The event comprised talks by experts like Dr Benny Kuriakose (award-winning architectural consultant), Aparna Piramal Raje (renowned author & columnist), Hetal Shrivastav (Founder, RaasLeela Textile), Gurashish Sahni (Co-founder, ReCircle) and Khushi Jhankaria (design student and multi-instrumentalist). The day concluded with an enthralling kathak performance led by artist Vaishnavi Vakil.

Here are a few talking points from the event

“Technologies used in the built environment have impacted the climate negatively. The solution lies not in mindless copying of vernacular or western architecture styles, but building knowledge, harnessing and adapting it. The key to sustainability lies in the reinterpretation of vernacular architecture with sensible usage of modern techniques”, said Dr Benny Kuriakose during his TEDxAnantU talk on Sustainable Architecture.

“Surveys have shown that one third of the millennials would make sustainable choices and pick sustainable products despite it costing more. We must go beyond talking about sustainability. The time is here to take action”, said Gurashish Sahni during his talk on titled ‘Redesigning World for Sustainability’.

“Language of empathy, trust and vulnerability is the best cure for mental health. How one views mental health is reflected in the language s/he chooses. They can choose to speak the language of stigma and difference or the one that heals and liberates. The strength lies in the words one chooses, and the dialogue one has with self”, said Aparna Piramal Raje during her talk on Mental Health.

“Craft in need of help is the failure of design intervention. Our craftsmen know their work. What they need is the right direction. As designers we must help them get their dues, introduce their craft in the market, give them livelihood and empower them”, Said Hetal Shrivastav during her talk on sustainable fashion.

Reach-Out: A call for like-minded solutionaries and thinkers to come together, collaborate, create solutions and inspire others to create a better tomorrow.

Restore: Ever-looming challenges such as the climate crisis call for adopting sustainable choices while recognising the lost heritage, restoring and conserving them!

Rejuvenate: Let’s recognise and celebrate the innovations and breakthroughs made despite the challenges, including the pandemic and climate crisis. Let’s ignite the desire to march into a better tomorrow, driven by design and entrepreneurship!