The Hindu : National : Good response to first TED meet in India

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Wednesday, Nov 04, 2009
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National

Good response to first TED meet in India

Deepa Kurup

BANGALORE: Over the next four days from Wednesday, the sprawling Infosys campus in Mysore will play host to one of the most sought after shows on the Net. “TED [Technology, Entertainment and Design] talks,” in India for the first time, brings together top achievers from various fields on one stage.

They will make presentations strictly for 18 minutes. Why 18 minutes you may ask? There is no answer, but the USP (unique selling proposition) of the 25-year show has made it hugely popular.

Webcast after the event, it is among the most downloaded set of videos in the world.

The theme for TEDIndia on Wednesday is “The Future Beckons.” The ‘thought leaders’ who will talk include global health expert Hans Rosling, Union Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor, scientist R. A. Mashelkar, CEO of Zappos.com Tony Hseih, playwright Eve Ensler, singer Usha Uthup, dancer Mallika Sarabhai.

The ‘TED talks’ is conceptualised in the format of a conference, where sessions revolve around a basic set of questions — some on social themes, and others purely related to technology or economics.

From discussing the relevance of data, or local innovations that can make a global impact, to environmental sustainability, the speakers will present their ideas and engage discerning audiences in debate.

The TEDIndia organisers expected around 400 participants, but were overwhelmed by the deluge of applications from around the world.

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