Theme: Megapixels of Metamorphosis

In the spirit of ‘ideas worth spreading’, #TEDxAhmedabadUniversity brings a TED-like experience to Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India on 22 April 2018, Sunday.

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Auditorium, Ahmedabad University
GICT Building, Central Campus
Navrangpura
Ahmedabad, Gujarat, 380009
India

Ashish Kulkarni

CEO of Reliance Animation & Chairman of FICCI for Animation and Gaming Forum

The man who carved and embarked a niche in the world of animation by taking Reliance Animation to global arena and made it stand with giants like Disney and Warner Bros. With drive to conquer more, he had set up the finest animation studio for original IP creation. The man is creating sustainable spaces and career opportunities for visual arts, gaming, visual effects and graphic design. Adding feathers to his hat, he was recognized as the 'The Creative Entrepreneur of the Year' in 2015 and he is the Chairman of FICCI Animation and Gaming Forum. Step aboard, he is the brain and hand behind creation of shows and characters that have filled our childhood; to name a few 'Little Krishna', 'Shaktiman' and 'Big Bees'.

Manvendra Singh Gohil

Prince of Rajpipla (Gujarat)

When you’re a prince, there are certain rules of conduct that come with the title. So, coming out as the first gay member of any royal family in 2006, much less an Indian royalty, he is truly an inspiration in breaking stereotypes. Not only this, he is the Founder and Chairman of Lakshya Trust, a strong community for LGBT. There is more to this strong personality, he is one of those few Indians who have been on the famous Oprah Winfrey Show. Currently developing up a Resource Centre for LGBTQA community.

Meghana Erande Joshi

Indian Actress & Voice Artist

It’s easy to hear Shinchan or Ninja Hattori or Noddy and safely assume that the voice must belong to a kid. False. Maybe someone young, then? False. Okay, it has to atleast be a guy. False. That’s how mastered Meghana Erande is at her job, letting her voice range to such extremes that it’s impossible to make out that it’s coming from the same person. As if that’s not enough, she has also been in the Entertainment Industry for the past 28 years, has acted in soaps and movies and been a household name for the dubbing profession. What’s more needed, Meghana Erande, an Indian Actress too.

Partho Dasgupta

CEO, Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) of India

Partho Dasgupta is the IIM-C Alumunus and the figure responsible for the country’s only TV viewership measurement company, whose aim is to design, commission, supervise and own an accurate, reliable and timely television audience measurement system. He has also been accredited for leading BARC to a robust, transparent and accountable governance framework for providing currency required to plan media spends and content effectively.

Sanjay - Tula

Contemporary Humanitarians

Who says gratitude and humanity is fargone and a rare affair! The speakers next on our list, Sanjaybhai and Tulaben have proved that material is petty, by contributing towards the betterment of the society. They let go of monetary enchantments and stayed back to help the orphans and needy by bringing their NGO- Vishwagram to life! Years henceforth brought only glory to their intiative in the name of awards such as the Santbal and the Ashok Gondhia.

Shantanu Moitra

Music Director

“I live a vagabond life, and, sometimes, I do music like guerrilla warfare in between.”, says the melody maven Shantanu Moitra. Our ears are always keen to listen to his instrumental but this time lets be keen to know what value does the person hold as an individual. He proved that being an explorer and a music composer are not mutually exclusive identities when he spent 100 rigorous days in the Himalayas and showed his vigour and conviction. Presenting the musical hitmachine.

Subhash Ghai

Film Director

Karz (1980), Hero (1983), Ram Lakhan (1989), Saudagar (1991), Khalnayak (1993), Taal (1999) are some grand films made by a grandiose director. This man claims to see the world around him and write stories that he feels will inspire. That’s what makes him such a success story, and such a reputable man in the industry, so much so that he even received the IIFA Award for Outstanding Contribution to Indian Cinema in 2015.

Vinay - Charul

Music for a Cause

Some call it a progressive music band and for others, it is a progressive cultural space trying to revive the waning sensitivity and dignity. Together, Vinay and Charul pen simple lyrics, stirring compositions and minimal instrumentation to lend an earthy feel to their music for cause. Leaving possibly highly lucrative jobs, being students from IIM-A and CEPT respectively, they found their calling in life in reviving folk music and giving it greater meaning to create an impact on the society. They are professionals by qualifications; researchers by choice and musicians by passion.

Zakia Soman

Women's Rights Activist & Co-Founder of Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan

Zakia Soman is the co-founder of Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan – the organization that mobilized the Triple Talaq and Haji Ali movements. She also leads the Peace and Human Security Theme at ActionAid and is a member of South Asian Alliance for Poverty Eradication. She has won the National Commission for Women’s Outstanding Women Achiever's Award and has featured in BBC's '100 Fearless Women' amongst several recognitions.