Theme: Thriving through Challenges

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).

The Assam Valley School
Balipara
Sonitpur, Assam, 784101
India

Aman Baldia

CEO, Gyansthan Educational Services

Aman Baldia is a 28 years old educationist who has started Gyansthan Education Services and Enunciate School of Communication with the aim of helping students meet their true potential. Being an engineer by education, being the General Secretary of the Students Council of Mumbai University College, and being a Gold Medalist of his college, Aman chose to work in one of the largest educational youth-based organizations in India, I.I.M.U.N. He worked there for 7 years, as the Deputy President of the organization and was responsible for its operations in 160 cities in India. Aman has trained more than 100,000 students in communication skills and International Affairs, has been a guest lecturer IIM, has spoken on behalf of India at the United Nations Headquarters New York, and has won multiple awards in leadership. His oratory skills have been appreciated by the likes of Former President Mr. Pranab Mukherjee, Former Under-Secretary-General of UN Dr. Shashi Tharoor & many more.

Anushka Jitani

Student

Anushka Jitani, a student of the Assam Valley School, hails from Siliguri, West Bengal. She loves the mountains and her family, and tries to find solace in small things. She is a 'doer' and is a part of the MUN and Debating society in school ,loves to paint, read and listen to music during her free time. She has always loved reading and writing poetry ,in the hope that unexpressed emotions could somehow be expressed using vocabulary and words lost in history and time. She is really concerned about how in today's world, everyone has become so busy that their minds do not wander anymore, and that's sad. She strongly believes that there's a difference between doing nothing to relax/recharge and 'wasting time', and wishes to share this belief with the world. She would like to drop a message: May you really brush off the cobwebs from inside yourself, and let the sunlight stream in. Not all those who wander are lost

Debolina C Bakshi

Educator

Debolina C Bakshi is an English Teacher at The Assam Valley School, part-time TV anchor for Doordarshan Northeast, poetess and singer. A University topper, she was originally a journalist. Later, she switched to teaching which she found more fulfilling and rewarding. She is also a certified IELTS Trainer who recently completed a Summer Course in Advanced Creative Writing securing a distinction at Oxford University. She loves reading books and writing short stories. She published a book of poetry titled 'Whispers of the Gypsy Soul' in 2021 which gained some popularity among poetry lovers. She conducts workshops on Public Speaking and Creative Writing in her hometown. She aims to help her students achieve fluency in the four English language skills - Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing.

Deep Nagpal

Entrepreneur & Founding Partner at Seven Figure Wealth LLP

A philanthropist and a resonant leader with diverse experience across industries managing Human capital & Financial Capital with Operational Excellence, over 22 years of Progressive experience building capability across functions for different organizations have enabled himself to be a leader who can make wise and prudent business decisions. He has been managing principal portfolios in Industries like Aviation, Hospitality, Travel Retail, E- commerce - Supply Chain & Investment Management - Financial Products - (Fin-tech) Asset Management He is the founding partner with 2 companies in Wealth Management and Financial Distribution space.

Dr. Sarita Sharma

Author, Mental Health Counsellor

Dr Sarita Sharma, PhD, is an academician, author, poet, translator, life coach and mental health counsellor. She is passionately involved with women’s issues and works for the cause of gender equality. She is Board Member at the Trans Disciplinary Agora for Future Discussions, Georgia. She is also the Editor in Chief at TAFFD’s Magazine, USA. She has nine books to her credit in diverse range of genres, including translated and edited ones. She moves around conducting workshops on Creative Writing. She also lectures extensively on Body Image, Life Skills, and Corporate Training (including mental health and soft skills).

Dr. Vasavvi Acharjya

Founder Chairperson: Early Child Development Forum (ECDF) | D N Acharya Foundation for Children and Women Welfare (DNAF) | Child Education and Research Development Centre (CEDRC)

Dr. Vasavvi Acharjya from Guwahati is an early childhood educationists, entrepreneur and social activist. She has been working in the domain of ECD for the past 22 years and runs a brand of preschools by the name Tender Petals which was launched in 2013. She also runs an NGO called - DNAF founder in 2014 and its initiative Early Childhood Development Forum, has a global presence and works towards the best practices of ECCE. She has been working towards women empowerment and have been hand holding and mentoring women led ventures and start ups through organisations like Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE) , FICCI Flo, CII IWN and so forth. She has been a speaker at the G 20|W 20 Summit in IIT Guwahati and is an Ex Faculty of Tata Institute of Social Sciences(TISS) Guwahati.

Hiya Keshan

Student

Hiya Keshan, author of the poetry collection “Feel or Fall”. She is currently pursuing her further studies in the Assam Valley School. Her book is her reflection on teenage through poetry of a sixteen year old, with a focus on themes of love, identity, and self-discovery. She believes that beauty can be found in the most unexpected places. She loves to challenge herself in transforming characters and bringing stories live on stage. She is part of the debating and dramatics society in school. She loves directing, writing scripts and public speaking. She also enjoys reading and spending time with friends and family. She believes in the power of emotions.

Priyankoo Kashyap Das

Educator

Priyankoo Kashyap Das is a fine storyteller. She is a teacher who is on a journey of self discovery. Every aspect of life that is unexplained and unexplored intrigues her. She loves reading books that are insightful and challenge the mental faculties. A big fan of Metallica and Bon Jovi, she also follows Vanessa Mae. Children and animals always find a friend in her. She has a penchant for putting everyone on the edge while sailing calmly through rough waters. To quote her daughter "She believes that through grit and determination, no obstacle is unconquerable. An image of strength and unyielding courage, her tenacious nature has been a source of inspiration allowing me to pursue my dreams relentlessly."

Usha Venkatraman

Professional Storyteller, Educator, Author, Vocalist and Puppeteer

Fearless princesses, courageous women with a street smart granny, wonderfully quirky kings and queens - this is the world of Usha Venkatraman, an award winning storyteller, author, classical vocalist, puppeteer and radio show host, who weaves magic with her words. Founder of Mumbai Storytellers Society, and festival director of Gaatha - Mumbai International Storytelling Festival, Usha’s stories are an intersection of Art, Storytelling and music. A versatile teller with a wide repertoire of folk, traditional, literary and beguiling mythical tales, Usha adapts her craft to suit young and older audiences, sometimes using other arts, like puppetry, dance and music. Her songs and tales enchant little ones, while her family sagas of myths, legends and folktales captivate older children, teens and adults. Usha has been storytelling at national and international festivals, events and conferences in India, Singapore,Thailand, Sydney, Malaysia, Iran ,Toronto,UK and the United States.