In her poignant TEDxTalk, “Dear Universe,” Britti Mahajan shares her emotional journey of adaptation and loss. After returning to India from a decade in Canada, Britti, at just 10 years old, faced the daunting task of fitting into a new environment where she felt unwelcome. The harsh realities of school life quickly turned her first day into a traumatic experience, but fate intervened when a compassionate peer, her future best friend, pulled her from despair.
This bond would become vital as Britti struggled with the Hindi language, with her friend’s unique approach inadvertently becoming a catalyst for her growth. However, tragedy struck when this beloved friend passed away unexpectedly, leaving Britti grappling with profound grief and the question of meaning in the face of loss. In her heartfelt narrative, Britti challenges the notion that “everything happens for a reason,” arguing that some events defy explanation.
Ultimately, she reminds us that life offers moments—not reasons—and that it’s up to us to find meaning in them. Britti’s message resonates deeply, celebrating the messy, raw nature of humanity while urging us to embrace our power to create significance from the chaos of life.
Watch the video by TEDxTalks
Author Video Description
In a world that often tells us who to be, where to go, and how to live, this talk is a heartfelt outcry to the universe: allow us to simply be.
Through stories of reflection, resilience, and belonging, the talk explores the timeless human quest to find our own place in the world. Britti Mahajan is a student of Year 9 at The Ardee School, New Delhi. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
About TEDxTalks
TEDx is an international community that organizes TED-style events anywhere and everywhere — celebrating locally-driven ideas and elevating them to a global stage. TEDx events are produced independently of TED conferences, each event curates speakers on their own, but based on TED’s format and rules.
Video “Dear Universe | Britti Mahajan | TEDxTheArdeeSchoolNFC” was uploaded on 10/13/2025 to Youtube Channel TEDx Talks