Theme: Let's be a trailblazer

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).

DAV Public School, Unit-8
Nayapalli, Bhubaneswar-12
Bhubaneswar, Orissa, 751015
India

Antariksh Das

Child Scientist and YouTuber

Antariksh Das is a young inspiring soul who’s no less than a prodigy. Currently in Grade Eight at TATA DAV School Joda, Odisha, this child has a magnificent passion in science, evident from his national position in ISRO Science Competition 2020, and similar events where he showcases his inventive device to help ET (Essential Tremor) disabled person. His Achievement with Distinction in SpellBee International Level competition is also something that’s absolutely spectacular. He is acclaimed as an eminent Brand Ambassador for the promotion of environment conservation by TERI organization. He also has a YouTube channel where he posts various educational and scientific content to making things easier and interesting to learn.

Ayan Pal

Distinguished Public Speaker and Author

Ayan Pal is a man who walks with several talents in his wallet. An IT Consultant, an author, a speaker, an educator with a passion for volunteering he has several awards to his credit. He has mentored students, delivered keynotes, conducted workshops, and judged events across some of India’s top institutes like the IITs and IIMs. As an author, he has contributed to numerous bestselling anthologies and co-authored ‘Crossed and Knotted’ which made it into the LIMCA Book of Records. He has been awarded by British Council for his contribution in the field of arts and had his work showcased to the Prince of Wales – Prince Charles as a part of celebrations to highlight 70 years of cultural exchange between India and the UK. He was listed by Hindustan Times as one of India’s Top 5 Writers. He is a member at Toastmasters International and has been a former District Champion and three-times DTM too.

Biswajit Sahoo

Child Debater and Public Speaker

Currently in Grade 12, Biswajit is an ambivert who finds deep interests in political, gender and social sciences. A fervent foodie who loves to cook, he is deeply into debates, MUNs and various public speaking activities and can talk with you about anything for hours. Being a part of various NGOs and collectives he has been reaching out to help people and make changes at his level since he was a small kid with the belief that whatever little privilege we have, we have to make sure that we serve the world at our level best. A resistant mind to any type of stereotypes he has always tried to raise his voice for the correct, whether as a part of the school cabinet or a student volunteer.

Elina Samantaray

Renowned Ollywood Actress and Model

Elina Samantaray is an Indian actress known for her work in Ollywood movies. She made her career debut with the film Ishq Tu Hi Tu. She was the winner of the first season of the reality television show Kie Heba Mo Heroine, which was broadcast on Tarang TV and was a big hit across the state. Since then, she has starred in many films involving various interesting characters and stories. She has been recognized by several accolades and awards for her work in the field of Entertainment and beyond.

Jyoti Ranjan Nayak

Renowned Ollywood Actor & Social Worker

People like him are much more than just being actors or heroes on the celluloid. Jyoti Ranjan Nayak is an Indian actor who works primarily in the Odia film industry. He shot to fame after winning the hit dance show Mitha Mitha Jodi, along with his dance partner Ankita on Colors Odia. He made his debut as a lead actor in Shailendra Mishra's movie Dele Dhara Katha Sare (2016), opposite Malobika Banerjee. And since then, there has been no looking back for this young and sensational actor. Recently, he received appreciation and accolades for his service to society through his NGO- JRN's Open Happiness and for being a proud Rotractor. We are pleased to have a trailblazing person as our guest who not just acts but also achieves through his actions.

Nikita and Nishita Baliarsingh

Women Entrepreneurs, Forbes 30 under 30

For this duo, startups don't just mean creating money and fame. For them, startups are for society. Through their innovation and revolutionary technology, Nikita and Nishita are not from a science background yet they have made their presence felt in the battery and automobile industry and beyond. They found themselves to be one of the few women working in this sector but that never stopped them from being trailblazers in themselves. Not just they have overcome the male dominance, but have also managed to do extremely well by not being from a typical science background. This Forbes 30 under 30 duo are working to create a battery technology that is Lithium-free and uses agricultural residues for powering the growing energy demands.

Pamela Satpathy

Engineer turned IAS Officer

Hailing from Sunabeda of Odisha, Pamela Satpathy is a 2015-batch IAS officer, a dreamer, a believer and above all an achiever. This Computer Science Engineer turned Public Servant with Masters in Sociology, Human Rights & Public Administration, has had a series of stints in several sectors before starting her journey as a public servant. For this daughter of Odisha c/o Telangana, her tale is quite merrily a tale of 2 states. She is presently posted as Collector and District Magistrate in Yadadri Bhuvanagiri District, Telangana. Previously, she has had the rich experience of working in the aspirational district of Bhadradri Kothagudem as sub-collector & later as PO Integrated Tribal Development Agency Bhadrachala. She is an icon and a true inspiration for the millions of Indian students who look up to doing good for society.

Prakruti Mishra

National Award winning Film Actress

Known for her works in Hindi shows and Odia films, Prakruti Mishra is someone who leaves no stone unturned to make people proud. She has received the National Film Award for Hello Arsi. She made her acting debut as a child artist at the age of five with the film Sabata Maa and Suna Pankhuri. She rose to popularity after she appeared in ETV Odia's Tulasi playing Smruti. In 2006, she won the Odisha State Film Award for Best Child Actor for Sashughara Chalijibi. After her debut in Ollywood as a lead actress alongside Babushan, she has then starred in more than 10 Odia feature films. Recently, she emerged as the finalist of MTV Ace of Space S2. Through her TEDx talk, Prakruti aims to motivate the youth to dream big and never settle for less, if one wishes to become the next trailblazer.

Pramod Bhagat

Badminton Player, Paralympics Gold Medalist

By winning the gold at the Paralympics, Pramod Bhagat has indeed created a trail for millions to follow. For him the term 'para' doesn't stand for disability, rather it stands for parallel perfection. This phenomenal Bihar-born para-badminton player hailing from Odisha never let anything come as an obstacle in his path, not even in his trailblazing journey to Tokyo. With badminton making its debut at the Paralympics in 2021, he became the first Indian to win an Olympics gold medal in the sport. The 33-year-old Bhagat, who had contracted polio when he was four years old, picked up the sport after watching his neighbours play. Adding to his cap, he has been recently conferred with the Padma Shri Award and Khel Ratna Award also.

Puntu Nana

Renowned Odia Comedian and Serial Actor

The followers of Odia comedy or TV space must be knowing him by name. Whenever he is on camera, or whenever he is on stage, he leaves no stone unturned to make you go nuts with his comedy. Be it for his fun-filled shows, a colloquial way of addressing topics or his love for Odia language, Puntu Nana has always been a pack of entertainment for all of us. He has been the host of Odia television's longest running food programme - 'Puntu Nana nka Peta Jatra'. The show has been running on Zee Sarthak TV for the last 5 years with Puntu Nana adding spices to the programme’s content with his humour and eccentricity. This time, he is all set to amaze us with an unique act that will involve mime, music and rest is some mystery to unfold.

Saswat Joshi

Classical Dance Exponent

Saswat started his professional Odissi training under Guru Padma Shri Kumkum Mohanty in 2000. Under the tutelage of Guru Padma Shri Ileana Citaristi, his dancing flourished into its perfection. Since then his achievements and accolades have known no bounds. He has travelled to and performed at several countries across the world as the torchbearer of the classical art form. Places like the Musée Guimet, the Eiffel Tower and the Colosseum stand testimony to his exquisite performances. He is a proud Odia who walked at the Red Carpet at Cannes Film Festival, France. He beautifully choreographed the song 'Rangabati' in the Bollywood film Koun Kitney Pani Mein, and became the Rangabati king of Bollywood.

Sohail Khan

Child Debater and Poet

Sohail Khan is an enthusiastic debater, a poet and an aspiring novelist with several accolades to his credit. His traits like consistency, resilience and perseverance have made him an accomplished youngster as well as a leader. His quest over his stage fright and self-confidence is absolutely remarkable. Only very school-going youngsters of his age are able to make a difference, and Sohail Khan is certainly one amongst them.

Sushant Pattnaik

Innovator-turned-Entrepreneur

The most ordinary and common people usually perform something very extraordinary and uncommon. Sushant Pattnaik is one such young lad who hails from Bhubaneswar, Odisha. He is a serial inventor, serial entrepreneur, motivational speaker and has been awarded the President’s Award six times. While still in his teens, Sushant became one of the youngest speakers to have spoken at TED– India. Today, he is no more the wonder-kid of the block, but rather a social tech entrepreneur that the world is both inspired by and in awe of. Sushant is also helping the unsupported inventors by taking their creations to the next level.

Swami Mukundananda

Spiritual Leader & Vedic Scholar

This Vedic scholar & spiritual guru hardly needs any introduction to the world. A unique saint with a distinguished educational background, he is one of the masters of mind-management as well as a prolific spiritual and motivational speaker. He received his degrees in Engineering and Management from two world-renowned Institutes, IIT and IIM. However, responding to the call of God, he left aside all big worldly achievements and accolades to enter the renounced order of sanyas, dedicating his life to the service of humankind. His nonprofit organization JKYog (Jagadguru Kripaluji Yog) is based in Cuttack, Odisha with a reach all over the world. We are indeed blessed to have this wonderful personality in our esteemed speakers' panel.