3 letter word made me write a letter to the Prime Minister | Shikha Khanna | TEDxMaharashtra College

Key Concepts:

• Yes: The central theme, representing acceptance, opportunity, and forward movement.
• Stubborn Yes: A determined "yes" driven by deep conviction, even against opposition.
• Habitual Yes: A consistent "yes" that fuels persistence and prevents giving up on dreams.
• Reluctant Yes: A "yes" given despite fear and self-doubt, pushing past limitations.
• Yes to a No: The underlying "yes" required to assert boundaries and decline what is not right.
• ROI of a Mother: The immeasurable value and return on investment in a mother's contributions and sacrifices.
• Honoring Motherhood: Recognizing and celebrating the often-silent struggles and sacrifices of mothers.
• Pivoting: Adapting and changing direction, as demonstrated by shifting to online photography teaching during lockdown.

Early Life and Challenges:

• The speaker recounts her childhood in a large joint family in Delhi, marked by her mother's absence due to mental health issues.
• She describes struggling academically, consistently scoring low marks (20-35%) and facing the societal perception of "failure."
• She recalls being denied science and commerce streams in grade 11 due to her poor performance and being directed towards arts/humanities.

Turning Point and Career:

• The speaker's life changed when she entered the arts stream, excelling in grade 12 (83%) and gaining admission to Beniteshwara College with honors.
• She developed a passion for photography, winning awards at the college and university levels, including the Saraswati award.
• She pursued a course with Australian photographers and chose an unconventional career path as a baby photographer, despite initial skepticism from her family.
• She established a successful career as a baby photographer in Delhi for 10 years, becoming known and recognized in publications like Femina.

Marriage, Motherhood, and Loss of Identity:

• After getting married and becoming a mother, the speaker experienced a significant shift in her life, feeling unable to leave her child's side due to unresolved childhood trauma.
• She describes losing her identity and vanishing from the public eye, struggling with the fear of her child being taken away, mirroring her own experience with her mother.
• She felt a deep connection to her mother's experience of leaving and the associated pain.

Reinvention and Honoring Mothers:

• During the lockdown, the speaker decided to pivot and teach photography online, initially struggling with self-doubt and recognition.
• She launched a project called "100 Days 100 Inspiring Stories," aiming to publish a book honoring motherhood and the silent losses and struggles of mothers.
• She interviewed mothers from diverse backgrounds worldwide, realizing the universality of their experiences.

The "Yes" and the Prime Minister's Letter:

• The speaker highlights the importance of saying "yes" to opportunities and challenges, which is the hidden word throughout her story.
• One of the mothers from the project, Lucy from Mexico, offered to come to India for the book launch, leading to 40 mothers from around the world committing to attend.
• Faced with the challenge of hosting the mothers, the speaker sought sponsorships but encountered the question of "ROI" (Return on Investment) for honoring mothers.
• She wrote a letter to the Prime Minister of India, hoping for support and recognition of the value of motherhood.
• After six months, she received a letter from the Prime Minister, acknowledging the importance of honoring mothers, which helped her secure sponsorships.

The Event and Legacy:

• The event was a success, with 40 mothers attending, sharing their stories, and creating a powerful experience.
• The speaker is now planning Volume 2 of the project, aiming to continue honoring the silent suffering of mothers.
• She expresses a sense of closure and healing, finally being able to tell her mother that she was perfect, just before her passing.

Types of "Yes":

• Stubborn Yes: Driven by the heart, unwavering despite external opposition.
• Habitual Yes: A constant affirmation that fuels persistence and prevents giving up.
• Reluctant Yes: Overcoming fear and doubt to embrace opportunities.
• Yes to a No: The conscious decision to set boundaries and decline what is not right.

Conclusion:

The speaker's journey illustrates the power of saying "yes" to opportunities, overcoming challenges, and honoring the often-unrecognized contributions of mothers. Her story emphasizes the importance of embracing unconventional paths, finding strength in vulnerability, and using personal experiences to create positive change in the world. The different types of "yes" provide a framework for navigating life's decisions and pursuing dreams with determination and purpose.