Where Young Ideas Found Their Voice: TED-Ed Student Talks December 2025 at Symbiosis Ishanya Bhavan

In a time dominated by speed, noise, and constant reaction, December 2025 offered something rare in Pune—a pause. At Symbiosis Ishanya Bhavan, the TED-Ed Student Talks – December 2025 Edition unfolded as a quiet yet powerful reminder that meaningful expression begins with listening.

Curated and guided by VSPEAK Institute, the event brought together students aged 8 to 18 who proved that when young minds are given structure, trust, and mentorship, they speak not with rehearsed lines—but with conviction.

This was not merely a stage event. It was a thinking space.

Beyond Public Speaking: A Journey of Thought

Unlike conventional speaking competitions, the TED-Ed Student Talks focus on thinking before speaking. Students begin with questions—about identity, society, emotions, systems, and the world they inhabit.

Through a structured 13-module experiential journey, students research, write, revise, and refine their ideas with sustained mentor and peer feedback. The focus remains steady: clarity over performance, honesty over polish, and meaning over applause.

At Symbiosis Ishanya Bhavan, each talk reflected this philosophy. The audience did not simply watch; they leaned in to listen.

A Two-Part Format Designed for Depth

The December 2025 edition was thoughtfully divided into two halves, allowing ideas to breathe rather than rush. This intentional pacing shifted the energy from performance pressure to presence and engagement.

Across both halves, listening became an act of respect—reinforcing the TED-Ed belief that expression holds value only when it is truly heard.

First Half: Education Rooted in Balance and Values

The first half of the event was led by Chief Guest Mrs Nanditha Chauhan, model, speaker, and nutritionist, crowned Mrs Maharashtra 2024 and First Runner-Up, Mrs India 2025. Her journey of discipline, wellbeing, and conscious living resonated strongly with the young speakers, reinforcing that success is sustainable only when anchored in health and self-awareness.

She was joined by Guests of Honour Ms Venicia Reneesh, Dr Pratik Mungekar, Dr Selvakumari Sankaranarayanan, and Ms Desiree Dhami, whose collective presence brought depth through perspectives on education, leadership, creativity, and global outlook.

Second Half: Courage in Motion

The inspiring presence of Chief Guest Ms Prisha Tapre marked the second half.

At just 16 years old, Ms Tapre completed a solo swim across the English Channel in 11 hours and 48 minutes—an achievement shaped by years of discipline, mental resilience, and preparation. More importantly, she used her achievement to support child nutrition initiatives, demonstrating how personal milestones can evolve into social responsibility.

Her journey resonated deeply with students, offering a living example of patience, perseverance, and purpose.

The Student Voices That Shaped the Stage

At the heart of the TED-Ed Student Talks – December 2025 Edition were 27 student speakers, each bringing a distinct perspective shaped by reflection, research, and lived experience:

The student speakers and their talk topics were:

Aanya Uppal – Turning Change Into Strength

Aarav Subhedar – Mastering Money: The Wealth Code

Arnav Pushkar Papalkar – Gen Alpha: Generation for Growth

Anvita Bansal – Beating Procrastination

Ayan Bairagi – When Expectations Turn Into Pressure

Gargi Golande – The Paper We Can’t Uncrumple

Garv Bhandari – The Words That Build or Break You

Harshvardhan Pawar – Lessons from Shivaji Maharaj for Leaders

Kesho Ahluwalia – Sip Safe, Skip the Struggle, Save the Water!

Kiara Mathur – Water: Why We Can’t Afford to Waste a Drop

Krisha Gandhi – The World Through My Colours

Krutir Kulkarni – Change Isn’t Scary, It’s a New Adventure!

Manasvi Dudwadkar – Outsmart Your Brain into Being Happy

Meydhansh Bahl – Creating Connections in New Environments

Ragupathy Thejeshvar – How One Flick Can Save Earth

Rheya Agarwal – The Power of Choice

Rishit Mantri – Minimal Tag, Maximum Me

Rohan Edlabadkar – Public Speaking Through Public Speaking

Shaurya Khot – Reviving Sports Before We Lose More

Shiv Aggarwal – Why Your Hydration Matters

Shreeya Rajwade – The Earth Was Once Green

Smayan Amin – Hobbies vs Screens: The Real Battle

Tiara Tandon – Life Matters More Than Your Screen

Trisha Relhan – The Power of a Puzzle Piece

Ved Bansal – Stuck in the Middle (Again)

Vedant Nayudu – The Power of a Step

Zaric Makhani – AI and Robots: Helpers, Not Replacements

Collectively, these talks addressed themes such as mental health, emotional resilience, financial literacy, environmental responsibility, leadership values, technological ethics, identity, creativity, self-worth, and social pressure. The depth and clarity with which these themes were handled underscored the program’s emphasis on thinking before speaking.

Together, these talks explored mental health, empathy, leadership, financial literacy, technology, identity, discipline, and hope—reflecting a generation deeply aware of its world and its responsibilities.

The Ecosystem Behind the Expression

The programme was anchored by strong mentorship and institutional support:

Mr Virendra Nirmalkar, TED-Ed Mentor and Founder of VSPEAK Institute, guided students with a focus on clarity of thought, authenticity, and responsible expression.

Ms Puja Talesara Bhandari, Founder of Leadership Demystified, contributed as a leadership mentor, grounding the programme in conscious leadership and the philosophy of Swabhava—honouring each learner’s innate nature.

Ms Ira Ghosh, Director of Research and Learning and Primary School Principal at Victorious Kids Educares, reinforced the importance of non-judgmental listening and emotionally safe spaces for learning.

Support from Victorious Kidss Educares, RHYTHM Music Academy, Design Mediaa, and Stay Featured further strengthened the holistic TED-Ed experience.

Listening to the Future

The TED-Ed Student Talks – December 2025 Edition did not attempt to predict the future. It simply allowed it to speak.

At Symbiosis Ishanya Bhavan, young voices were not rushed, ranked, or reshaped. They were trusted—and that trust transformed the stage into a space of honesty and depth.

Listening to young voices is no longer optional.It is essential.