TEDx GEMS International School

Experience, Express, Exchange – Let’s Deconstruct Stereotypes

“Men don’t cry”, so how do they express themselves? “Expressing emotions makes you appear weak”, but won’t they pile up deep inside? “Stereotypes of Sexuality”, aren’t we individuals who are entitled to personal choices and opinions? “Gender roles” it is you and I that have defined them, “I am targeted for my dark complexion” but is that a flaw?

These were some of the stereotypes our youth speakers expressed their opinions on and attempted to deconstruct in the first TEDx event “TEDxYouth@GEMSInternationalSchool” held online. Themed “Deconstructing Stereotypes”, the platform provided an opportunity to the youth that believes passionately in the power of ideas to change attitudes, lives and ultimately the world.

Nine high school students at prominent Gurgaon schools were the youth speakers at this online event that witnessed an enthralled audience of parents, students, and dignitaries. At GEMS International School, Gurugram, communication, critical thinking and creative expression have always been key focus areas and that learning is an amalgamation of engaging experiences. We believe that a student’s life needs to be filled to the brim with experiences that enhance learning, encourage expression, exchange of ideas, and ignite thinking. Young people today reflect responsible global citizenship and an appreciable clarity of vision, and this was clear as the young speakers expressed themselves.

The Chief Guests were Individuals who had deconstructed stereotypes in their work areas and life. Ms. Payal Kapoor, a Hotel Management graduate lost her sight and hearing ability to a cerebral attack in 1992. Six years of denial, partial recovery of her hearing and subsequent active rehabilitation put her back on her feet. Employed by the organization that rehabilitated her, Caring Aid for the Visually Impaired, the next six years were spent in giving back to the community of blind and visually impaired as a resource person, mentor, and teacher. As Ms. Kapoor says “I’d always imagined that the way to stun a room full of people into total silence would be to do something spectacular, or shocking – making a grand entrance, perhaps. But to receive this reaction merely for having a disability? No, I’d never imagined that would happen, until it did.” A virtual thunderous applause followed Ms. Kapoor’s speech that not only gave the audience goose bumps but set us reflecting on the way the world treats the disabled.

Our other Guest Speaker was Mr. John McDonough, Chief Product Officer at Amerigo, a firm that helps international students discover their passions, build lifelong friendships, and most importantly, thrive in the classroom. He spoke about the variety and flavour in careers for the youth and helped us deconstruct the fixed idea of following an age-old chronology of pursuing any career.

The Guest of honour was Capt. Indraani Singh, Commander of AIRBUS family of aircrafts - AIRBUS 320. 319 & 321. Founder of Literacy India and IndhaCraft which has supported 750,000 women, children, and Youth since 1996. Her Digital Education accelerator is an innovation, one stop solution for poor children who are school dropouts and have weak foundation while in govt schools. Capt. Indrani’s work towards a cause is truly commendable.

The stereotypes addressed by the student speakers were indicative of their curiosity, research, reflection, and deliberation across perspectives. Most of their ideas were eye-openers that tell us to lend them our patient ears and proactive minds. We must feel with them, rejoice with them, resonate with them, encourage questions, and most importantly learn from them sometimes.

“TEDxYouth believes passionately in the power of ideas to change attitudes, lives and ultimately the world and we celebrated this journey of deconstruction with young minds of tomorrow. ”