What do you want to become when you grow up? It’s a question every child is asked. But when Ishita Katyal, a bright and bold 10-year-old from Pune, India, was asked that question, she posed a better one in return:
“Why not ask children what they want to do right now?”
At an age when most kids are still navigating multiplication tables and playground friendships, Ishita was organizing TEDx events, writing books, and giving keynote speeches to some of the smartest people on the planet. In 2016, she took the world stage at TEDYouth in New York, not as someone with a future dream—but as someone with a powerful present.
From Pune Classrooms to Global Conversations
Born in 2005 in Pune, Maharashtra, Ishita Katyal was raised in a home where ideas were nurtured and voices were valued. With a mother, Nancy Katyal, who worked as an image consultant, and a father, Pramod Katyal, in the corporate sector, Ishita grew up surrounded by encouragement to express herself and chase her passions.
At Vibgyor High School in Balewadi, she didn’t just learn—she led. Fuelled by a natural curiosity and bold spirit, Ishita didn’t wait for doors to open—she built her own.
At just 8 years old, she became Asia’s youngest TEDxYouth organizer, curating an entire TEDx event with vision and confidence. Her clarity of purpose soon caught the attention of TED’s global community, leading her to the stage of the TEDYouth Conference 2016 in New York City—proving that leadership has no age limit.
The Girl Who Silenced a Room Full of Geniuses
Dressed in a graceful burgundy velvet gown and signature pink spectacles, Ishita Katyal stepped onto the TEDYouth stage—her presence calm, yet commanding.
In front of an audience filled with pioneers from Google, Tesla, Apple, and Uber, and visionaries like Bill Gates and Al Gore, it wasn’t her attire that turned heads—it was her voice. Soft yet powerful, she delivered a message that echoed far beyond the auditorium: “We can do a lot in this moment, in the present.” With fearless clarity, she challenged a world that often sidelines its youngest minds, boldly stating, “Adults pass on fear to children who are born without fear.” Ishita didn’t just give a speech—she lit a spark, inspiring a global rethink on how we value children’s voices and vision.
Words That Echoed Across the Globe
Ishita didn’t hold back from tackling some of the world’s toughest challenges. With a maturity far beyond her years, she addressed education inequality, hunger, war, and the quiet tragedy of lost childhoods in today’s high-pressure world. Her words, now etched in memory, struck a universal chord:
“Think 10 times before raising school fees, 100 times before going to war, 1,000 times before wasting food and water, and 10,000 times before letting a child’s childhood slip away.”
The audience erupted in applause—an emotional, thunderous response to a truth spoken so bravely. Even music maestro A.R. Rahman, who was set to perform later, waited in the wings just to meet her.
As Ishita stepped off that global stage—jetlagged, a little tired, but glowing—scientists, entrepreneurs, musicians, and scholars swarmed around her, not just to applaud her poise, but to acknowledge the power of her voice. She may have been the youngest in the room, but she left as one of its loudest and wisest echoes.
A Future Author and Change-Maker from the Start
Before her TED fame, Ishita had already published her first book, “Simran’s Diary,” a story that reflects her sensitivity, storytelling gift, and emotional intelligence. Her passion for writing, combined with her belief in children’s potential, turned her into more than just a student—she became a storyteller, leader, and advocate.
With the support of her family and school, she built her own path—proving that kids don’t have to wait for adulthood to chase their dreams.
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Just as Ishita spoke boldly at 10, SKS encourages seniors to stay curious, active, and engaged—proving that it’s never too late to learn, lead, or inspire. It’s not just a subscription—it’s your companion for a fuller, vibrant, and meaningful life.
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What Ishita’s Story Teaches Us About Childhood and Power
In a world that often sees children as “tomorrow’s leaders,” Ishita’s story reminds us that they are also today’s thinkers, speakers, and doers. Her story breaks the myth that wisdom only comes with age and shows that confidence, compassion, and clarity can bloom early—if nurtured.
She reminds us that childhood is not a rehearsal for real life—it is real life. And the way we treat it shapes our society.
Final Thought: Don’t Wait to Be Heard. Speak Now.
We believe voices like Ishita’s deserve to be amplified. Her journey—from a Pune classroom to an international stage—is not just about talent, but about the courage to speak up, the support to shine, and the wisdom to know that age should never define worth.
So next time you ask a child what they want to become someday, pause—and instead ask,
“What inspires you today?”
You may just discover the next Ishita Katyal.
