Theme: Answers Within - For all problems & opportunities that one comes across the solutions lie within.

Our event was called TEDxPanaji where x = independently organized TED event. At our TEDxPanaji event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combined together to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group.The TED Conference provided general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events, including ours, was self-organized.

The theme of the event was #AnswersWithin, which means to the simple to the most complicated problems or opportunities that we face, the answers lie within us. The theme celebrated the unlimited potential of the human spirit.

Goa University
Taleigao Plateau
Panaji Goa, Goa, 403206
India

Dr Abhijit Nadkarni

Addictions Psychiatrist

He has authored numerous publications and tremendously contributed in the field of research, with major interests encompassing global mental health; particularly alcohol use disorders. A research fellow, a consultant psychiatrist, having acquired research grants as an investigator, recently, he also leads the Leadership in Mental Health course facilitated by a prestigious global organization.

Dr Amit Dias

Dept of Preventive Medicine, Goa Medical College

Recently awarded a fellowship in Public Health Leadership at the Emory University, USA, he is the chairperson of an NGO dedicated to the cause of bridging the treatment gap for mental health across age spectrum. An epidemiologist specialized in geriatric medicine and infectious disease, he has been leading Alzheimer’s Awareness movement in Goa for the last 17 years.

Dr Rajendra Kerkar

Environmentalist

The State Convenor, Goa River Conservation Network, Coordinator, Goa Foundation, Rajendra Kerkar has specialized in History and Sociology. A column writer for dailies, he has authored seven books (six in Marathi, one in English), has worked as a dedicated teacher for seventeen years and has been a member of a number of committees, including the National Board of Wildlife of India.

Hyacinth Pinto

Architect

Goan architecture has always sought to find the right balance between beauty and sustainability. A young Goan architect who stands firmly in support of traditional mud houses and sustainable architecture explains why and how the new design style is the right choice to make.

Isabel De Santa Rita Vas

Theatre Artist

A founder member of an amateur theatre company established in 1987 in Goa, she is a dynamic personality when it comes to the field of performing arts and is a firm believer in the healing quality of theatre as an art form, and its rare collaborative nature.

Jason Fernandes

Founder - Smartklock

Jason Fernandes is the founder of award-winning startup Record TV. The entrepreneur has founded many other startups and projects including his latest venture Smartklock inc. Jason won the Startup@Singapore award, the first national technopreneurship competition at Singapore. He also has to his credit the "Best Business Plan" award from Sybase Singapore in the Global Entrepreneurs Challenge at Stanford University, California. Jason’s work looks at the interaction between human mind and technology.

Mohammad Shaikh

Managing Trustee - University of Life

Barely 25, Mohammad believes that his poverty is his strength and not his weakness. In 2003 he was the youngest fellow selected at Dr. Abhay Bang Nirmaan camp for youth. In the year 2007 after passing his class10th he joined “University of Life” in Dhamapur near Sawantwadi. He was invited by Prof A.G.Rao for a workshop at Industrial Design Center at I.I.T, Mumbai. Many newspapers published article on him. All these success made Mohammad look towards Mumbai city. He left his village in Konkan and migrated to Mumbai to work for a computer institute. In a little while he started his own institute. After working for 3-4 years he realized that city life was not his take. Mohammad decided to return back to his roots in Konkan. He is now a Managing Trustee of University of Life. He will soon become the President. He is also leading Swayam a for-profit Joint-liability-Group of young intern students at University of life.

Richard Dias

GM at Garbage Treatment Plant

An engineer turned event-manager took up work as a citizen volunteer for the Corporation of City of Panaji, and was stunned by the gross mismanagement of the city’s waste. His efforts to address the problem led to the creation of Waste Wise Programme and much more.

Samruddhi Kerkar

Student of School without walls

Samrudhdi Kerkar aged 16 years is a student of school without walls. She learned writing Marathi, Hindi, Konkani and English by 10. She published her first Poetry compilation 'Nirzar' in Marathi. Her article on interaction with wildlife and environment in daily ‘Lokmat’ was compiled and published under the scheme of Directorate of Art and Culture under the title ‘Aprup Vasundhareche’. Her weekly column in ‘Goadoot’ is being compiled into a book ‘Chitranchi Goshta’. She also writes a column in Dainik Herald on experiences with wildlife and environment. Kulkarni Prathisthan, Honda awarded her for contributions in the field of children's writing. She has won prizes in state level drawing competitions. She is skilled in wall painting of birds and wild animals. She has established a tradition of annual Christmas celebration at her home in Ghoteli and has provided a forum for child artists.

Victor Hugo Gomes

Curator of Museums

Conceptualizer and Curator of Indo-Portuguese and Goan antiquities, he has actively been involved in conceptualizing major art and cultural events in India for over 25years.