Networking with Speakers: "TED Salon" Held

Bangalore, a city that gives birth to new values. On September 6th this year, a "TED Salon," a partnership between Marriott Hotels and TED, was held. This was the second such event in the Asia-Pacific region. (For details on the partnership between Marriott Hotels and TED,Part 1refer to)

Over 200 attendees gathered at the "Bangalore Marriott Hotel Whitefield," the venue, including local entrepreneurs and business professionals, loyalty members of Marriott's loyalty program "Marriott Rewards," domestic and international media, influencers, and business school students.



Each "TED Salon" features a theme tailored to the host city's trends, culture, and traditions. This time, the theme was "Innovation in Women." Three female TED Fellows, who are driving social change in India, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam, attended and delivered lectures incorporating their personal experiences.

Zubaida Bai from India, CEO of "Ayzh," which addresses global women's health issues, particularly focusing on improving maternal health. Upon learning about the realities of childbirth in impoverished areas that endanger mothers, she devised a simple yet innovative "Clean Birth Kit" (a kit for safe and clean childbirth) to save and educate women dying in unhygienic conditions, contributing to the promotion of safe childbirth for impoverished women in developing countries.



Asha de Vos, a marine biologist and founder of the "Sri Lanka Blue Whale Project," passionately spoke about the importance of whale conservation and environmental protection, essential for maintaining the health of our planet's oceans, from her perspective as both a conservationist and educator. Drawing from her experiences of repeatedly being told, "Isn't that a man's job?" regarding her work, she urged, "It's important to break through stereotypes and be yourself. With passion, you can succeed regardless of gender."




Another highlight of "TED Salon," not typically found at regular TED conferences, is the Q&A session between fellows and the audience. This time as well, meaningful ideas emerged from the audience regarding the speakers' activities, such as "Is this possible?" and "I'm doing this, can we collaborate on something?" It was a wonderful opportunity for participants to inspire each other. Following the lectures, an after-party was also held, fostering lively interaction among attendees that continued late into the night.

The City Where the "Indian Dream" Comes True

Bangalore, a city that has rapidly developed over the past decade. Attracted by its vibrancy and potential, many international companies are drawn here, as are ideas, self-reliance, and talented entrepreneurs.

Not a few people come to this land seeking the "Indian Dream." This is also related to the city's prosperity in the new genre of IT business.

Indian society has long been influenced by the caste system, a hierarchy within Hinduism. From birth, one's class was determined, and strict discrimination was practiced in all aspects of life, including occupation and marriage. Although discrimination based on caste is now prohibited by law, it remains extremely difficult to pursue a career outside of one's assigned caste. This means that only a limited number of people can secure their desired occupations, regardless of their talent.

In traditional industries such as manufacturing, agriculture, and services, it is difficult to break away from tradition. Therefore, those who wish to escape the shackles of caste often choose to convert to another religion and pursue new occupations that are not bound by tradition.



In India, where caste still strongly influences society, the IT industry is one genre that is not bound by tradition. Even individuals from lower castes can be hired based on their talent, and some rise to management positions or become CEOs. Starting one's own business offers similar advantages.

The fact that everyone has equal opportunities, regardless of caste, gender, education, or age, holds immense freedom and new possibilities for India. It goes without saying that a city where this is naturally present gives hope to its people.

A symbol of Bangalore and a standard-bearer for India's new progress is Suhas Gopinath. Born in Bangalore on November 4, 1986, he taught himself to create websites by reading books at the age of 14. In the same year, he founded the IT ventureGlobals Inc.,and three years later, at the age of 17, he became its CEO. At that time, he became known as the world's youngest CEO.

"At first, my parents were skeptical about what I was doing. When I said I was starting a company, they didn't take me seriously, thinking it was just a game. But then, a TV crew from America came, and they finally acknowledged what I was doing (laughs)."

While he continues to attract attention as a young leader both in India and internationally, including at the European Parliament and the World Economic Forum, he is currently actively involved in various projects.

Currently, in Bangalore, which has a strong coffee culture rather than the tea culture common in India, he also operates the cafe"THIRD WAVE COFFEE ROASTER",and is dedicated to promoting high-quality coffee beans produced in India both domestically and internationally.



"I've heard that Japan has many cafes and a vibrant coffee culture. I am already planning a business to allow people in Japan to taste Indian beans."

Furthermore, he also serves as the CEO of "HAPPY EMI," a company operating a next-generation finance platform. They provide an online service that offers instant financing at the point of purchase, operating on a people-less, paperless system.

Behind India's progress are entrepreneurs like him who are not bound by conventional thinking. Young people like Suhas, who effortlessly cross all borders, are likely to emerge one after another from India. This is because India has a significantly large youth population. According to 2017 statistics, with a population of approximately 1.34 billion, half are under 25 years old. (Source:PopulationPyramid.net).



The population is projected to continue growing, and it is estimated that within about 10 years, India will surpass China to become the world's most populous country, moving from its current second position. If the age distribution remains similar, over half of the population will be potential labor force, which will undoubtedly be a significant strength for the country.

With rising education levels, young people freed from the constraints of caste continue to thrive in India. Bangalore, the source of energy for this increasingly influential nation, is a place where one can experience India's power.

Marriott Hotels & TED
Marriott Hotels and TED have been partners since 2016, hosting collaborative events called "TED Salons" at various Marriott Hotels. Future events are planned in locations such as Boston, Cairo, and Athens. At many Marriott Hotels worldwide (in select hotels only), guests can stream Marriott's original TED content, "TED Talks," in their rooms. Marriott Hotels also offers the latest Instagram Stories series, #MarriottHotelsxTEDFellows. To enjoy the constantly updated content, simply follow@marriotthotelson Instagram. For more details, please referhttp://marriott-hotels.marriott.com/marriott-hotels-tedto.