Theme: Into the Matryoshka

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized (subject to certain rules and regulations).

BR AMBEDKAR HALL
NITW
Warangal, Andhra Pradesh, 506004
India

Akriti Khatri

Private Investigator

Akriti Khatri is a detective who began the Venus Detective Agency, her very own private investigative agency. Born and raised in Delhi, Akriti completed a Bachelor’s degree in Science and an MBA from Delhi University. Preferring to call herself an 'information gatherer' rather than an investigator, she has had a phenomenal success rate of 85%! Branched out agency across several states in India are symbols of her success. More importantly, however, they are also staunch replies to everyone who told her that she was incapable of succeeding in such a dangerous and male-dominated profession. But she took no heed and continued doing what she loves. She has handled scores of high-level investigation cases. With branches in eight cities, and over 80 employees working under her full time, she's reached the pinnacle of success. And nowadays, she also trains young college students in the art of being good detectives.

Chitra Vishwanath

Architect

Chitra Vishwanath, an architect based in Bangalore is the principal architect at Biome Environmental Solutions. She studied for a diploma in civil engineering from Nigeria and a Bachelor of Architecture degree from the CEPT University in Ahmedabad. She has been running her own architectural firm since 1991, working with other architects on many projects in India and Africa. Biome is making major strides in ecological architecture especially in urban settings. In a world where conventional architecture and construction practices do much harm to the environment, firms like Biome strive to bring in a holistic ecosystem-based approach. Biome has been involved in more than 700 projects of various scales and contexts encompassing ecological construction, water harvesting and sanitation structures with specific relevance to the ecology of the sites.

Pavan Rao

Actor & Dancer

Actor, Dancer, Model; these are mere titles to describe the next speaker on our lineup: Pavan Rao. His podium clinch at Peter England’s Mr. India 2017 is simply one among the endless accolades he has received through the years. The Fictitious Group, a dance troupe of which he was a part, was awarded the title of “India’s Got Talent Season 3”, after memorable wins in dance shows “Boogie Woogie” and “Entertainment Ke liye Kuch Bhi Karega”. His talent has also received international recognition along with his dance crew, "The Kings", who were announced World Champions at the NBC World of Dance. Furthermore, he has also starred in ABCD2. The super hit dance movie is based on the hardships faced by his dance crew in securing funding and eventually, winning the World Hip Hop Championship. Pavan Rao has danced alongside renowned industry names such as Alu Arjun, Prabhudeva, Shruti Hassan, Salman Khan and many more.

Saptarshi Prakash

Digital Experience Designer

A graduate of IIT Madras, Saptarshi Prakash has worked with some incredibly well-known startups of India like Housing.com and Zeta India and has rehauled both websites from the ground up. He is currently the Product Design Manager at Swiggy, India’s largest food ordering and delivery platform. He has also given over fifty UX talks and has held workshops at various universities and companies and has written multiple articles on designing.

Seema Tomar

Trap Shooter

Hailing from Johri, a village in Uttar Pradesh, Seema was expected to marry and become a housewife. However, as fate would have it, her aptitude for shooting, passed down to her by her mother, Prakashi Tomar, began to bloom. She started accompanying her mother and aunt to the shooting range and there was no looking back. Seema initially shot with an air rifle, consequently switching to a shotgun and currently specializes in trap shooting. Aged 37, she is the only Indian woman to win the Silver Medal for the shotgun event, at the 'International Shooting Sports Federation'. She has gone forth to secure 6 gold medals and 2 silver medals in various editions of the National Shooting Championship's Trap events. She has also acquired 2 bronze medals in the Asian Clay Shooting Championship's as well as participated in the Commonwealth Games. Alongside her mother, she still continues to run a shooting range in her village where many girls come to learn.

Srinivasan Sundarrajan

Scientist & Professor

Dr.Srinivasan Sundarrajan is a reputed Aerospace and Missile Scientist who has worked through all the phases of missile design, production and development of prestigious missile systems like the Brahmos, Agni, Prithvi, Akash, Nag and Thrishul of the Defence Research and Development Organisation. An AICTE Distinguished Professor, Dr.Sundarrajan has made a significant contribution to curriculum development, integrating emerging areas of technology. He serves as a member of the boards of ISRO, DAE, and CSIR. He has as edited two engineering handbooks and published more than eighty technical papers. He joined as Director of NIT Trichy and has played a vital role in transforming the institute. Currently, Dr. Sundarrajan works as a Higher Education & Defence Aerospace consultant and provides strategic consultancy to industries in the areas of defense, aerospace and hi-tech products.

Sudip Ghose

MD, VIP Industries Ltd

Touted as a dynamo by colleagues and employees alike, Sudip Ghose is a man of relentless energy and always has a positive approach towards his work. With over two decades worth of experience, fourteen of which have been spent in positions of leadership, he is known for his "never say die" attitude. He is currently the Managing Director of VIP Industries Limited and has worked with Samsonite South Asia, Onida, Whirlpool India, Reliance and Bausch & Lomb.