TEDx Talks | Design Thinking for Grassroots Innovations | Dr. Saji Varghese | TEDxDikshantSchool @TEDx | Uploaded 3 days ago | Updated 1 day ago
My experiences with poverty while teaching in rural Maharashtra and urban slums in Nagpur inspired me to pursue innovations that create wealth-generating opportunities for rural women. A simple walk on campus led to the invention of an eco-friendly straw made from dry coconut leaves. Along with two student co-founders, we established production centers in villages, empowering women to champion sustainability by selling these straws globally.
This journey has expanded with new innovations using pineapple and pandanus leaves, gaining recognition and support. The core lesson: even something as simple as a dry leaf has the potential to drive meaningful change when nurtured, just like the inner power within each of us.
Associate Professor in the Department of English and Cultural Studies, CHRIST University. Teaching English at University for 27 years. Interested in Grassroots Innovation for Social Impact. Inventor of Biodegradable Drinking Straws from Fallen Dried Coconut. Recepient of Global Honey Bee Network Creativity and Inclusivity Award through UNDP. part of Honble President of Indias Business Delegation to Philippines in 2020. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
My experiences with poverty while teaching in rural Maharashtra and urban slums in Nagpur inspired me to pursue innovations that create wealth-generating opportunities for rural women. A simple walk on campus led to the invention of an eco-friendly straw made from dry coconut leaves. Along with two student co-founders, we established production centers in villages, empowering women to champion sustainability by selling these straws globally.
This journey has expanded with new innovations using pineapple and pandanus leaves, gaining recognition and support. The core lesson: even something as simple as a dry leaf has the potential to drive meaningful change when nurtured, just like the inner power within each of us.
Associate Professor in the Department of English and Cultural Studies, CHRIST University. Teaching English at University for 27 years. Interested in Grassroots Innovation for Social Impact. Inventor of Biodegradable Drinking Straws from Fallen Dried Coconut. Recepient of Global Honey Bee Network Creativity and Inclusivity Award through UNDP. part of Honble President of Indias Business Delegation to Philippines in 2020. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
