Theme: TRAILBLAZER

We often find ourselves walking predefined trails with the promise of what is socially defined as success. Trails surrounded by walls of preconceived notions and expectations that limit our perspective and muffle other inspiration. Seldom do we find the courage to demolish these walls and blaze our own trail. To walk down roads few dare to follow, often dark and unexplored only to be the ones who create the light at the end of the tunnel.
TEDxNITKSurathkalSalon presents Trailblazer, where we shine the limelight on individuals like us, who heard a different calling and had the courage to listen. Join us as we light up and navigate these unconventional trails and be part of a whole new generation of Trailblazers, the most daring one yet.

YouTube Livestream
TEDxNITKSurathkal Youtube Channel
Surathkal, Karnataka, 575025
India

Adhitya Iyer

Author / Speaker/ Columnist

“Ïf engineering were a religion, it would be the 5th most populous religion in India.” A statement that comes as no surprise. By virtue of his academic ability, he enrolled as an engineering student. But it didn’t take him long to realize there were other callings worth fulfilling, and so he did. After founding his own campus T-shirt brand Annanymous, coining the term "Ghanta Engineer" and even selling chai in India’s silicon valley he realized that his story was one shared by millions. In true folktale fashion, he quit his job and set out to unravel the stories of India’s engineers. Two years of exploration and a beard later he published “The Great Indian Obsession” a bestseller and his claim to fame today. “I set on a backpacking trip across the country to unravel the massive phenomenon at the end of which I lost a camera full of images, but I found a story to tell the world.” Adhitya Iyer is truly a curious and progressive mind, set out on fixing the education system.

Bipin Dhane

Social Worker

A graduate of IIT Kharagpur, Bipin Dhane quit his corporate job to pursue his true calling of educating children. He came to the remote river island of Majuli to teach underprivileged children and later set up a school in the village of Kulamua at the request of the villagers. Armed with the help of the villagers who donated their lands, wood, and manpower, the Hummingbird School was built. Today, Dhane serves as principal at the school for underprivileged kids from the indigenous Mising tribe. Sensing the need to extend their work with the community, along with his colleagues, he founded the Ayang trust. It works towards not only improving the education of the children there but also uplifting the local community by promoting a producer’s collective and working with women weavers to let them earn a livelihood.

Sonia Thiyam

Doctor / Fashion Blogger / digital content creator

A doctor turned fashion blogger and digital content creator, Sonia Thiyam is currently taking the world by storm with her excellent fashion sense and courage to meet society head first. She did her MBBS and then took a bold move to get into blogging. In a world filled with people, stuck in a perpetual rat race dictated by what society expects, she took the road less taken by pursuing her passion. She built her image, taking one hurdle at a time, and is now an established name in the fashion industry. Sonia Thiyam currently creates beautiful, artistic looks and has worked with huge brands such as Balmain and has curated multiple looks for them. The impact her work creates portrays her talent and her ability to create influential art out of the most subtle elements. Battling stereotypes and changing people’s perceptions regarding her heritage, she stands as a massive inspiration for stereotyped victims to realize their worth.

Vishak Nair

Actor

For those who aren’t just defined by their designations are the ones who set trails for others to follow. Had life not blossomed on the silver screen, Vishak Nair would have perhaps been busy with machines at a swanky corporate office. Vishak Nair is an Indian film and theatre actor, who is known for his work in the Malayalam industry. He made his acting debut in the coming-of-age romantic drama, Aanandam (2016) directed by Ganesh Raj which made him a household name. Vishak has starred in numerous movies following his debut endeavour. He is the also the Chief Operating Officer and Director of MadGenius productions Vishak pursued Mechanical Engineering from National Institute of Technology, Karnataka (NITK) and graduated in 2014. Vishak worked for 2 years at Daimler India Commercial Vehicles in Chennai when he finally found his call into acting. Enough brilliance proving that he is the jack of all trades and master of many too.