Aarushi Vignesh
Student @Sharanya Narayani International School, Grade 8
While this clueless 8th grader’s life seems like an unwinding path, Aarushi is passionate about sharing experiences that have previously added more meaning to her life. Since she hasn't had the best childhood, she aims to be a valuable guide by decoding the mysteries of adolescence while juggling her internal battles with growing up. She is also an adept musician as she plays the guitar, the drums and the piano.
Akash Agarwal
Co-founder of Friendly Neighbourhood Pizza Man
Akash Agarwal is the co-founder of a Pizza retail chain brand - Friendly Neighbourhood Pizza-Man, which is currently operating out of 6 locations in Bangalore. Having been diagnosed with early obesity - he had a difficult time during his teenage and early adulthood. However, he took charge of his mental state and started working in the gym. Akash realised that more than the physical aspect, mentally challenging himself helped him overcome the obstacles to achieve his goal. He also believes in practising gratitude and urges everyone to be grateful for who and what they have around them.
Ananya Sunder
Student @Sharanya Narayani International School, Grade 10
As an avid believer in the reduction of stigma pertaining to mental health, Ananya has always enjoyed exploring the intricacies of a topic once so taboo, now being adopted as a quirky personality trait. Growing up with a steady fascination for the multimedia portrayal of mental health, she, as a high school sophomore, hopes to do justice to the awareness of the ongoing efforts of its evolution from stigmatized to sensationalized.
Iha Ramesh
Student @Sharanya Narayani International School, Grade 11
As an IBDP Art student, "The creative act, the defeat of habit of originality, overcomes everything" is something Iha truly believes in. With a growing interest in this field, she aims to create contemporary pieces while adding new perspectives to everyday life. Her talk is a glimpse into the unconscious mind- surrealism. The omnipotence of dreams, in the undirected play of thought - an idea that encourages questioning, thinking and exploring the human mind.
Ishaan Kesarla
Student @ Wesley College Melbourne, Year 11
Taking part in one of the most difficult school-based courses and studying along with some of the most knowledgeable teachers and students, Ishaan has always been an advocate for the uniqueness of each individual’s mind. He has a strong enthusiasm in discovering and establishing how people learn differently and why their own methods of learning can help them to be more efficient. He constantly seeks to encourage those around him to realise their uniqueness and capitalise upon it as he believes that it must never go to waste.
M. Krishna Chaitanya Reddy
Student @Sharanya Narayani International School, Grade 10
Krishna's passion has always lied in ratiocinating possibilities in life. He constantly finds himself engrossed in philosophical and psychological thinking, especially to discover what he, as a 10th grader, could be capable of achieving when it comes to human interactions using rudimentary psychology. Nevertheless, his passion remains in discovering, building and sharing knowledge, and he is taking his first step in doing so - a TEDx talk about Lucid Dreams where he shares secure ways of reaching euphoric lands and boundless creativity.
Motivational speaker on mental health as a survivor + author
Having been diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder and Borderline Personality Disorder, Sangeetha Param's passion is to spread awareness on mental health by sharing her story of using her weakness as her strength. She strives to share the lessons she learned throughout her journey of 8 years of diagnosis and continuous psychiatric and psychological interventions. She has also successfully authored two books - 'Key to Acceptance' and Echoes in my Attic'.
Shambhavi Honnayya
Founder of Manava Sarathi Trust & Orphanage
As the founder of Manava Sarathi Trust & Orphanage, Shambhavi constantly contributes to the community by providing shelter to orphans with open arms. This hidden superhero of our society is the epitome of humbleness and care. She constantly seeks to do more by also helping and providing government schools with study materials. She has seen life in a perspective like no other and wishes for everyone to also try and help the less fortunate whether through direct or indirect means.
Shreenila Bose
Student @Sharanya Narayani International School, Grade 11
Shreenila intently observes the world around her. To recognize and understand what she sees, while perceiving it is one of her primary motivations, to begin with. However, as intrigued as she is by all that is around her, to truly understand all that she sees, she feels she must first understand herself; what the mind encompasses and is capable of. She realizes that the human mind can influence an individual's trajectory and the world more than they could imagine. This realization serves as a fuel for her to discuss and share her findings regarding the human mind, which although confined and limited in form, is in no way restrained.
Umar Yooshau
Youth footballer + psychology student
As an independent thinker who has always attempted to articulate the intricacies of the world and its people, Umar has always loved exploring and incorporating the mental aspect of life into his everyday endeavors. As a multi-level footballer who has had his fair share of injuries and setbacks in his professional and personal life, he has always been a vivid appreciator of the abilities of the human mind, using it as a means for overcoming obstacles and making comebacks in any realm of human exertion. Now, as a psychology student, he holds the belief that the brain possesses a plethora of techniques and subtle influences that can aid in achieving the peak of one's capabilities, serving as a catalyst for self-improvement.