On September 3, 2024, Mr. Anil Pradhan had the honor of speaking with the incoming B.Tech Class of 2024 at Woxsen University’s School of Technology. His engaging talk, “Thinking the Unthinkable,” was met with great enthusiasm and left a lasting impression on all attendees.
Here are some key insights and takeaways from his session:
Start with the First Step: Mr. Pradhan shared his journey of impacting millions of students, which began with a simple, yet bold decision to start with just three students under a tin shed in a village. This humble beginning laid the groundwork for what the Young Tinker Foundation has achieved today.
Win in Your Mind First: The power of belief was a central theme. Mr. Pradhan emphasized that success starts with a positive mindset. He illustrated this with the story of how a rural Indian team’s belief in their ability led them to compete and succeed in NASA’s rover challenge.
Break Out of Your Comfort Zone: Overcoming self-imposed limitations is crucial. Mr. Pradhan discussed how expanding beyond their comfort zone led the Young Tinker Foundation to establish centers in Bhubaneswar, Hyderabad, and Chennai, despite initial resource constraints.
Think Differently: To address gaps in traditional education, Mr. Pradhan introduced problem-solving and design thinking in an accessible manner. For example, he simplified complex concepts using the Young Tinker formula: DMW (Doable, Moneyable, Wantable), making it easier for students to evaluate and implement ideas.
Keep It Simple: Simplicity often drives effectiveness. Mr. Pradhan shared how using YouTube as a straightforward tool has enabled the Foundation to reach nearly 90 million viewers in just two months, showcasing the power of simple, scalable solutions.
Dream Big and Make It Real: Mr. Pradhan’s final message was about turning dreams into reality. He highlighted the Foundation’s goal to impact 1 million students in the next three years through the TOW (Tinker on Wheels) program, encouraging students to immerse themselves in their dreams and aspirations.
In closing, Mr. Pradhan urged the audience not just to think the unthinkable, but to actively make it happen. The event was a tremendous success, inspiring students to dream big, think boldly, and act decisively.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to Mr. Anil Pradhan for his inspirational talk and to the School of Technology at Woxsen University for hosting such a transformative event. For more updates and to learn more about our work, visit Young Tinker Foundation.
