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October 22, 2018
Series | To Bangalore, a City Where New Values Are Born (Part 1)
In the "Silicon Valley of India"
Marriott Hotels and TED Co-host an Event
Bangalore, a major metropolis in South India. It is the capital of the southern state of Karnataka and a city rich in greenery. It was once called the "Garden City," but perhaps its nickname "Silicon Valley of India" is more famous now. It is one of the leading IT cities not only in India but in South Asia. In this city, an event was co-hosted by Marriott Hotels and TED.
Text by MAKIGUCHI June
Free Thinking Born from Urban Transformation
The city, known as "Bengaluru" in the local language, means "town of roasted peanuts." Legend has it that when a king visiting the area was hungry, farmers roasted and presented him with peanuts, the region's specialty. The king was so pleased with the taste that he bestowed this name upon the town.
Perhaps it is due to this origin that even in this large city, one can still see leisurely-paced roasted peanut stalls.
While India is often imagined to have extremely high humidity and temperatures, this region enjoys a very favorable climate. Located on a plateau at an altitude of 920 meters, it is mild and pleasant to live in throughout the year. If you travel from Japan during the height of summer, you will first be struck by the coolness.
One of the reasons for its rapid development over the past 15 years, transforming it into one of the world's leading megacities, is the pleasant living environment provided by its climate. It is also rich in greenery, making it comfortable for sightseeing.
As many foreign IT companies have established a presence here, the people on the streets are diverse and international. The dining options are also abundant, ranging from restaurants serving traditional, spice-rich cuisine to those offering fusion and creative dishes. The current economic prosperity likely contributes to this as well. It is also safe enough for women to walk alone at night, which is unusual for India and provides peace of mind for travelers.
After India's independence in 1947, the city prospered with factories for heavy industry, aviation, space, and defense. Following economic liberalization, its IT industry flourished, fueled by a strong emphasis on science and engineering education that produced many information technology professionals, English proficiency, and lower labor costs. The rapid development of the city in a short period has led to explosive population growth alongside economic expansion. This has created a persistent problem: severe traffic congestion. Journeys that would take 30 minutes without traffic can often take three hours.
To circumvent this situation, a novel idea emerged: flexible working hours for each company. While a desperate measure born out of unique circumstances, the city's appeal also lies in its 24-hour vibrancy. The city never sleeps, and is filled with energy all day long. Night markets are held every evening, and bar lights twinkle through the night. In fact, Bangalore is known as a city of bars, with a high number of them, and craft beers, craft gins, and cocktails are particularly popular.
Nevertheless, smooth intra-city transportation is essential for further economic development. Therefore, with the support of Japan's ODA (Official Development Assistance), a mass rapid transit system, including subways and elevated railways, is under construction, with some lines already operational. It is expected to take about five more years to complete the system that will run through the city.
Bangalore continues to evolve even now. Even those who have visited India before are often surprised by this city. In essence, this is a place where new values for India are being born.
It was in Bangalore that new values were once again disseminated. A "TED Salon," born from a partnership between Marriott International, the world's largest hotel chain, and TED, was held.
In the "Silicon Valley of India"
Marriott Hotels and TED Co-host an Event (2)
Beyond "Stay," an "Experience"
Many of you may already know about TED from its coverage on TV in Japan, but let me explain what TED is. TED is a non-profit organization with the philosophy of "Ideas Worth Spreading." It primarily hosts short presentations of about 18 minutes by leading figures in various fields.
The TED Conference is held annually in Vancouver, Canada, and its proceedings, along with those of other TED-related events, areTED.comstreamed for free. Many of the presentations take place at this conference, and people are captivated by the powerful and witty storytelling of individuals rich in experience, ideas, and execution.
Past speakers have included a diverse range of individuals such as Bill Gates, Jane Goodall, Richard Branson, Monica Lewinsky, and Philippe Starck. Attendance at the conference requires an invitation, and even then, a participation fee of around one million yen is necessary unless there is a special reason.
However, it is important to remember that TED is an organization whose mission is to spread "ideas worth spreading" to a wider audience. To disseminate more ideas in an accessible, free format, in addition to free streaming onTED.com, they have developed various platforms such as TEDx (licensing individuals and groups to independently organize TED-style events worldwide; currently, thousands of individuals and groups hold TED licenses), the TED Fellows program (selecting innovators from around the world and highlighting their remarkable projects and activities), and TED-Ed (overseeing TED's education-specific programs). To support these efforts, thousands of volunteers worldwide contribute by creating subtitles and translations.
Marriott International (headquartered in Maryland, USA), a leader in the hospitality industry, resonated with this spirit. Marriott Hotels, as the group's flagship brand, has been leading creative ideas and meaningful discussions worldwide and began its partnership with TED in 2016. Marriott Hotels is a brand targeting a new generation of travelers who journey the world seeking creative ideas that have a life-changing impact. With a shared passion and international recognition comparable to TED, this groundbreaking event was conceived to elevate guests' travel experiences to new heights through their collaboration.
What's more, unlike regular TED conferences, this event uniquely features a Q&A session with the speakers after their talks. This interactive engagement with "ideas worth spreading" creates a special space where speakers and participants can co-create more meaningful ideas.
Mike Fulkerson, Vice President of Brand & Marketing for Marriott International in Asia Pacific, commented on the partnership:
"Marriott Hotels, with its 60-year history, strives to deliver innovation and inspiration that stimulates guests' creativity, and our collaboration with TED literally embodies Marriott Hotels' policy. The 'TED Salons' held at Marriott connect with travelers worldwide through powerful messages that inspire. We are already looking forward to continuing this partnership next year and bringing this exciting experience to even more guests in the Asia Pacific region."
Over the past two years, "TED Salons" have been held in cities such as Seattle, London, Abu Dhabi, Bangkok, and Santiago. And on September 6th of this year, a joint event, the second in the Asia Pacific region, was successfully held. The venue was the "Bangalore Marriott Hotel Whitefield" in India. This location was chosen for its reputation as a hub for technology and innovation in India.
Leveraging this regional characteristic, the theme presented this time was "Innovation for Women's Empowerment." The speakers were three TED Fellows.
Dr. Zubaida Bai from India, who addresses global women's health issues, with a particular focus on improving maternal health. Asha de Vos, a marine biologist and founder of the "Sri Lanka Blue Whale Project."
Tran Thi My Hanh, co-founder of Fargreen, an organization dedicated to building sustainable agricultural communities in Vietnam and globally, and an agricultural entrepreneur herself. These passionate leaders representing the Asia Pacific region shared inspiring speeches on the theme of "Innovation for Women's Empowerment," incorporating their personal experiences.
I will provide a detailed account of the event, filled with enthusiasm, in the next installment.
It is said that "TED Salons" are scheduled to be held at Marriott Hotels in various locations, including Boston, Cairo, and Athens. For those interested in TED who wish to attend a conference but are unsure how to access it, attending a "TED Salon" first is actually recommended. To participate, you first need to become a member of "Marriott Rewards" and accumulate a certain number of points, which may not be too difficult for frequent business travelers.
Additionally, at many Marriott Hotels worldwide (in select hotels only), guests can enjoy streaming of Marriott's original TED content, "TED Talks," in their rooms, which is a welcome feature.
Furthermore, an inspiring content series, #MarriottHotelsxTEDFellows, is also being distributed on Instagram Stories. To view the regularly updated series, simply follow@marriotthotelson Instagram. TED fans should definitely check it out.
For more details, please refer tohttp://marriott-hotels.marriott.com/marriott-hotels-ted.
The second part, "The Spirit of Innovation Born from a City that Stimulates Creativity," will be updated soon.
About Marriott Hotels
Marriott Hotels operates more than 500 hotels and resorts in over 65 countries and territories worldwide. We are evolving the guest experience in every aspect to provide sparkling travel experiences for the next generation of travelers. To strengthen our connection with travelers worldwide who tend to blend work and leisure, we are enhancing our mobile presence. Marriott leads the industry with innovative ideas, introducing "Greatroom lobbies" and "mobile guest services" that blend style, design, and technology. Members of the industry's award-winning loyalty program, Marriott Rewards (including The Ritz-Carlton Rewards), can link their Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) accounts atmembers.marriott.com, enabling elite status matching and unlimited point transfers. For more information, please visitwww.MarriottHotels.com. We also share information on Facebook and Twitter (@marriott), and Instagram (@marriotthotels).