Tsering Omu Bhattarai

KATHMANDU - On May 22, 2026, the Mandala Ballroom of the Royal Singi hotel hosted TEDxSoftwarica, an event organized entirely by the students of Softwarica College of IT and E-Commerce. Deshantar Media served as the official media partner for an exciting day of storytelling, vision, and intense reflection.

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The theme of the event, “Youth Beyond Boundaries,” served as a powerful call to action for a new generation eager to dismantle social, psychological, and systemic limitations. Six speakers brought this theme to life, each addressing a unique frontier of human potential. The lineup included Aishworya Shrestha (Co-Founder, Heart of Nepal & UN Young Leader for SDGs) speaking on Why the People Closest to Pain Should Design the Solutions.

Samriddhi Rai (Lyricist/Singer) on Self-Expression and Identity and Kiran Timsina (CTO & Co-Founder, Urban Girl) on Breaking Free from Imposter Syndrome. Joining them was Chewan Rai (Managing Partner, Che&Co) with "Breaking the Invisible Systems That Hold Us Back." Suzzeet Shrestha (Marketing and Communication Manager, F1Soft International) spoke on The Addiction to Distraction, and Amit Agrawal (Co-Founder & Director, IME Limited) talked about Digital Transformation.

For Softwarica College, hosting a TEDx event was a step toward global integration. Campus Chief Pramod Poudel shared his pride in the students' execution and explained the strategic vision behind securing the international franchise.

"Public speaking is a skill that will catapult you to higher positions. It complements your academic and research skills and is extremely important if you want to elevate your career to the next level." - Campus Chief Pramod Poudel

The diverse line-up of speakers challenged societal norms, pushing the audience to reconsider their perspectives on community, identity, and productivity:

Aishworya Shrestha, a social worker and Columbia University PhD candidate, addressed growing economic disparities. "The world is becoming more elitist, and the wealth gap is widening," she stated, advocating for policy spaces that represent those at the bottom.

Singer and songwriter Samriddhi Rai spoke passionately on identity and self-expression, urging the youth to start journaling to discover their true selves. "Never be afraid of expressing yourself. Go beyond your boundaries, be bold, take risks, and live a beautiful life," she urged.

Suzzeet Shrestha noted that "you can use your procrastination as your creative process," explaining that creativity often involves synthesising existing ideas into something fresh.

The event's success was equally a testament to the student organizers behind it. The speakers praised the organizing committee for their execution, noting that the event met international standards in professionalism and hospitality. The TEDxSoftwarica 2026 organizing team, led by organizer Sharad Bhandari and co-organizer Pranish Shrestha, demonstrated that student-led initiatives in Kathmandu can compete on a global stage, setting a new benchmark for youth-led events in the city.

TEDxSoftwarica proved to be a resounding demonstration of youth capability and intellectual exchange. By blending the wisdom of established professionals with the drive of student organizers, the event left an enduring mark on Kathmandu's academic landscape, inspiring everyone to break down their internal walls and build a more inclusive, authentic future.