You are ten years old and one the youngest organizer of a TEDx Youth event in the Asia-Pacific region. How was that made possible?
I had attended a TEDx event in Pune with my mom and that’s where my liking to conduct such an event developed. I felt that it was a very good platform for children like me who can come and share their innovative ideas, hence I asked my mom if I could do such an event too. I applied for my own TEDxYouth@Balewadi license and after two rounds of interviews with Amanda ma’am from the TED team over Skype, license application was successfully approved. I felt so nice when I conducted my first TEDxYouth@Balewadi event in my school on 7th February’2015. The event was well appreciated by all.
Does it distract you from your studies? How do you manage school and such activities?
I love to study. Earlier, it was really difficult to juggle with various rides like studying, writing, homework and TEDx. However, after some time I got a really good tip.
The tip was: waking up early in the morning. So, I started waking up early and completing what was incomplete. How did I come to know something was incomplete? I would make a list in which I would write a task I have to do tomorrow which I have either forgotten to do or which I want to do tomorrow. I would write both of these things any time I remember and in the night before sleeping.
If you were to describe yourself, how what would that be?
My name is Ishita Katyal. I am 10 years old. My mother’s name is Nancy Katyal and my father’s name is Vikas Katyal. I simply love talking, writing, dancing, singing (although I don’t sing too well) and spending time with my friends and family. You can call me a people’s person. I simply love interacting with new people as I get to learn new things from them.
Only 10 years old, Ishita Katyal is the youngest organizer of a TEDxYouth event in the Asia-Pacific region. She believes success comes from wanting happiness in the present moment, and shares that message during weekly workshops she leads with children at a local Balewadi school
What have been milestones in your life? What could be your next milestone?
I feel that every small step is leading me towards growth and I want to do so many things. My coming milestone would be: speaking at TEDxGateway on 5th December 2015, in Mumbai because it is the most followed, prestigious and the top most TEDx event organised in India.
Who has influenced you most in your life? Why?
Definitely my father and my mother however at the same time, my grandparents Mrs. Parveen Chaudhary, Mr. Narinder Chaudhary, Massi – Mrs. Ila Dua and Mamu : Mr. Nikhil Chaudhary because all of them have a very positive outlook towards everything. They always have so much of fun with me. Even if they have some feedback related to me, they always make sure that it is conveyed in a really positive and fun-loving way. They understand me so well and we are like a gang of awesome friends. I love them a lot.
