Making the Uncomfortable Comfortable

TEDxAshokaUniversity 2025 explored the theme ‘Making the uncomfortable, comfortable’ with five incredible speakers who redefined boundaries through their journeys. Naw Blut Eh Khue (ASP ‘25) shares snippets from each inspiring session.

Gaurav Chintamani

Gaurav, a music producer, audio engineer, musician and educator, discussed his journey and experiences with music. He has been immersed in the world of music since 2002. He has composed and produced music and founded Quarter Note Studios. Gaurav highlighted that music involves endless, seamless repetition –an impossible task to achieve perfection consistently amidst change. Yet, music centers him, bringing clarity and connection by evoking moments and harmonising the chaos of sound within.

Anusmita Bhattacharyya

Learning violin since the age of 7, Anusmita began performing with a Western chamber orchestra at the age of 9 and holds certifications from the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM). As a non-fiction writer, she led the journalism department of Redefy Kolkata, empowering teens through storytelling. Her journey with bipolar disorder has inspired her to advocate for mental health awareness. She discussed that through violin, she found solace in music, amidst her mental health situation. She also discussed her family being there no matter what, whenever she had faced mental health episodic situations. She concluded her talk with a heartfelt violin performance, highlighting her connections with violin and her mental health.

Anubhav Jain

Anubhav Jain, an investment banker turned cricket commentator, talked about how reinvention is possible, having pivoted from a high-powered finance career to sports storytelling against all odds. After his H-1B visa application was denied, he pivoted from a high-powered finance career to sports storytelling. With no formal media training, he quickly became a leading voice in cricket, working with leading networks such as Star Sports, Sony Sports, and Cricbuzz and covering major events including the IPL and ICC World Cups. His story highlights the power of following one’s passion and embracing unexpected opportunities.

Ishan Shanavas

A passionate advocate for wildlife, Ishan recently published his book, The Light of Wilder Things, and he has authored two field guides and contributed to renowned platforms like Sanctuary Asia, Nature in Focus, RoundGlass Sustain, and Wildlife SOS. He writes regularly on his website and his weekly newsletter—The Owlet. In the talk, Ishan discussed people’s connection to the wildlife in their backyards, people’s relations to the wildlife in their backyards and people’s unrealisation of the wildlife in their backyards.

Pubarun Basu

The first Indian photographer to win the Sony Youth Photography of the Year Award, and a Forbes’ 30 Under 30 honoree, has conceptualised projects such as the Dhara and mobilised over 500+ underprivileged youth to stand for environmental conservation. His work has received recognition from UNESCO, BBC, CNN and more. In the talk, he discussed the connection between father and son, the environment and humanity. As his father is also a photographer who loves nature, he holds a deeper connection with his father through a lens. Moreover, through his lens, Pubarun features stories that inspire awareness and appreciation for the world around us. His achievements in photography highlight the transformative power of lenses.