TEDx: The Dream for So Many People Around the World
Happy Sunday, everyone! It has been a beautiful, frantic, and colourful whirlwind this week. Finally, I can sit down with a heat pad keeping my back warm, the log fire sizzling away, and Netflix running in the background as I type away and reflect on my once-in-a-lifetime experience yesterday.
I am deeply honoured to have been invited to the TEDx stage to deliver a speech.
I was nominated in 2023, but due to work commitments in India, I wasn’t able to attend. So, fortunately, I was nominated again in 2024 for the February 2025 TEDx event at the University of Salford.
Although I’ve done public speaking, presenting for television, hosting live events, and teaching numerous classes within multiple disciplines, for eighteen years —including breaking the Bollywood Guinness World Record, when I was teaching 1,406 non-dancers simultaneously for Ri Ri’s Dance Academy, in 2011 — nothing compares to the nerves of performing at TEDx! I believe this is because of the positive pressure surrounding this incredible brand that brings so many magical ideas, with incredible speakers, to our fingertips daily.
The title of my TEDx talk was “My Secret Shakti”; an autobiographical speech based on belonging, identity, and my groundwork in Indian classical dance. There was a heightened amount of procrastination around initially writing the speech, but a few drafts later I finally found my voice and the message I wanted to share with the world through the TEDx platform: finding the power of small magic.
I want to share some lessons I learnt during the development of my idea for TEDx, the public speaking element and the wholesome experience itself:
1️⃣ Procrastination is real, but that’s normal and natural. I knew the pressure I was putting on myself for this particular public speaking event, so I decided to break it down, step by step, to help myself absorb what I wanted and needed to say in a precise, yet impactful, manner.
2️⃣ Pressure – I made a mindful decision (after a few sleepless hours!) to take the pressure off myself. I remembered that life is too short and this is a beautiful opportunity to connect, grow and share my personal experience. And if it goes wrong … It’s okay because these things happen, and that’s life! I decided to enjoy the moment and the process of writing, rehearsing and preparing for the event. During the Q&A section of my TEDx talk, I emphasised that I never really take the time to reflect on what I have achieved, or celebrate those wins! I’m also trying not to reach the end goal soooo fast but to enjoy every single step of the way! As soon as this was in my mind, I started to procrastinate less, and the pressure on myself was removed because I had permitted myself to let go and enjoy! I can confirm that I enjoyed every single second once my mindset has changed.
3️⃣ Almost everybody is slightly nervous (even if they don’t show it!). You’ve just got to get into it! Whether it’s the concept or development of an idea, or the rehearsal of a dance performance or a public speaking speech, as soon as you start, you will automatically be in the flow, and it will become so much easier for you!
4️⃣ Comparisons. I used to be soooo good at comparing myself to others! I know, I know, it is unhealthy but also part of human nature. A HUGE realisation during TEDx was that no one can ever be me! No one can ever have my personality, my identity, my journey, my challenges, and my authenticity. This learning has brought me so much peace; I feel a sense of closure in my heart and I can feel, and see, my personal development.
I suppose I am blogging these lessons for myself, as well, because this is something I would love to come back to so I can assist my future self.
Throughout all of this, the main lesson which has been reinforced for me, again, is that I will always speak from the heart and showcase pure authenticity. As long as you go in there wholeheartedly with a positive vibe and happy heart everything will turn out well!
Whether I am teaching a lecture at a University, giving a presentation for an academic conference or a keynote speech one staple Ria stamp is the interaction, more often than not with the beautiful and elegant form of Indian dance. As well as this being part of my Honorary Doctorate speech, naturally, Indian dance was also interwoven into my TEDx talk, as well.
Watching audience members and students participate never gets old and always brings a smile to my face!
Surprising the audience with a Bollywood dance performance and bringing authentic Indian colourful culture to the TEDx stage is a moment which I will never forget!
I spontaneously decided to get some audience members, and speakers, up on the dancefloor with me, towards the end of my performance.
I couldn’t leave this blog without documenting some of my favourite moments from the gorgeous day itself:
❤️ A lovely audience member came up to me and began crying because she could relate and identify so much with my talk. She told me (and my parents!) that not everybody has that spark in their eyes when they’re passionate about something, but she could see this within me and thanked me for helping her through the words and themes of my speech.
❤️ My heart was pounding, my legs a little jelly-fied as I was about to give my talk and then … the clicker went missing! Considering this was also live-streamed, along with the live audience, host Andy Miah did an incredible job of keeping the audience entertained, so thank you, Andy! Once the clicker was finally found a few minutes later, I walked to the red circle and began my talk. But, the microphone didn’t work! And then the slides didn’t change! Normally, this would have been a challenging few moments for me, but I found this to be a favourite series of moments because I learned so much from these small challenges, and I’m so grateful that they didn’t deter or distract me from my talk (Phew!)
❤️ When I was in the Uber on the way home, the driver asked if he could stop to get some petrol. Of course, I said yes. He asked if I wanted anything from the shop. I replied with a “no, thank you.” When he came back into the car, he bought a Snickers for me, which was so lovely and reiterated that there are kind people in the world!
❤️ Seeing my picture and the (new) Dr (h.c.) name on various platforms and television screens around the building was definitely a series of “pinch me” moments. I had the best time running around trying to capture a photo each time I popped up on a different screen (with the speakers’ photos and names only lasting between 3-5 seconds, this was an exciting thrill!)
❤️ My best moment was being on the TEDx stage. In a mindful moment, as I looked around the space, with audience members engaging with my talk, my heart glowed with gratitude as I thanked the Universe for this moment—a few minutes on stage that felt (and still feel!) out of this world! Looking back, it doesn’t feel as though it was me doing that talk, and I would love, love, love to do it all over again!
With so much information on this event I, of course, I had to create another Linktree – https://linktr.ee/drriameeratedx (I think I am on Linktree number 10 now! Having more than one career path and business equates to lots of Linktree’s for ease of information but I still think I may need a few more!)
In December 2024, I was awarded an honorary Doctor of Arts from the University of Salford for my outstanding contribution to the arts and cultural industries. For this beautiful congregation and celebration, I adorned the backs of my hands with intricate mehndi (henna) designs, and I decided to do the same for TEDx. It has become a little tradition of mine to get mehndi done anytime there’s a once-in-a-lifetime career event. This practice makes me feel more connected to myself and reminds me of those cherished times when I was little, getting mehndi done with my lovely Mum!
It was incredible to share the stage with so many fantastic and inspirational speakers. I’m highly grateful for this opportunity!
Thank you, TEDx Salford University, my TEDx family, and my Salford University family for the beautiful nominations and for helping my dreams come true, yet again!
Lots of love,
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