Theme: Beyond Borders

The main theme of HIXS - TEDx December 2023, Beyond Borders, represents a visionary call to explore and transcend the limitations that divide us, whether they be physical, cultural, or ideological. In a world that has faced unprecedented challenges and disruptions, this theme takes on particular significance in 2023. As the global community continues to grapple with the aftermath of the pandemic, social and political tensions, and environmental concerns, Beyond Borders urges us to seek innovative solutions, foster cross-cultural collaborations, and embrace diversity to build a more inclusive and interconnected world. The significance of this theme lies in its potential to inspire attendees to think beyond traditional boundaries, encouraging them to imagine new possibilities, bridge divides, and work together towards cultivating an authentic identity that is both individual and global in pursuit of a shared, sustainable, and thriving global community.

Heritage International Xperiential School
DLF Phase 5
Gurgaon, Haryana, 122002
India

Angad Miglani

Student at HIXS

Angad Miglani is a student in grade 11 at HIXS. He is highly passionate about STEM, especially the technology aspect, specifically Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. He aims to practically apply the powers of AI to solve problems prevalent in the real world rather than learn it's theory. Aside from his academic interests, he also explores his creative side in playing the drums and appreciates music as an art form. He recently cleared Trinity Grade 7 drums with distinction and hopes to do the same with Grade 8.

Chandan Kumar

Cancer survivor leader and an ALL cancer ambassador.

Chandan Kumar: Chandan Kumar, a blood cancer survivor and patient advocate, is the founder and co-leader of KidsCan Konnect, India's largest childhood Survivor Group. He led the world's largest signature campaign for childhood cancer, collecting 300,000 signatures annually. Kumar initiated the Passport2Life project and has presented at various conferences. He is also the founder and director of the Kayantar Foundation, which aims to improve education outcomes in rural areas. Kumar holds a postgraduate degree in Hindi Literature from Delhi University and furthered his studies in Development Leadership at the Indian Institute of Development Management. He is currently working with Resonance Health as a Senior Project Manager for India and Co-Chair of the Continuity of Care – Survivorship Task Force of Childhood Cancer Initiative.

Dr. Kiran Modi

Udayan Care NGO Founder

Dr Kiran Modi, a doctorate in American Literature from IIT Delhi, India, initiated several programs in Udayan Care in 1994 to work towards family strengthening and care reform in India. Udayan Care operates in 36 cities across 15 states, with chapters in the USA and Germany. It provides group homes for children and youth without parental care, education for girls from economically deprived backgrounds, and skilling and employment for youth from deprived backgrounds. She created the 'Fit Families Together' program that aims to reintegrate children in their families and communities and prevent separation from their families. Modi founded the international bi-annual journal on Alternative Care called Institutionalised Children Explorations and Beyond (ICB), which has become Asia's biggest platform for advocating care reforms. She led the first study on care leavers in India in 2018, which led to several programs, including the Aftercare Outreach Program and Living in Fellowship Together.

Govind Krsna Das

Spiritual motivational speaker, ISKON

Govind Krsna Das has been favorably engaged in the Krishna consciousness movement of Srila Prabhupada for the past 10 years. He has been focusing on providing spiritual knowledge to the youth of this country. He has been working towards spreading awareness on Hindu religion and spirituality focusing on the youth of the country. He has been delivering the motivational lectures to the youth of India by visiting many schools, colleges and universities. GKD promotes spiritual education along with spiritual entertainment. He conducts leadership seminars and istaghosti programs for devotees regularly. He is an excellent singer who mostly sings devotional songs and is regularly invited at various spiritual events and programs across India. He has two of his YouTube channels “Govind Krsna Das and “GKD is live” where he publishes spiritual songs and stories on a regular basis. He has more than 1.5 million followers across various social media platforms.

Huzefa Kapadia

Master of ceremonies, public speaker, writer

Huzefa Kapadia is a Master of Ceremonies, Voice Over Artist, and Marketing Professional. He has been instrumental in enabling the experience at the Mahatma Gandhi Digital Museums (mahatmagandhidigitalmuseums.com), in making his teachings relevant to the 21st Century. For over a decade, he has been the official host for the Harvard Model United Nations India Conference and facilitated numerous events and team building sessions for Fortune 500 Companies PepsiCo, HSBC, Wells Fargo, General Electric, Baker Hughes) amongst others. He's launched the book Chandrababu Naidu: India's Glocal Leader, as well as the youngest child author of India alongside Mr. Rajdeep Sardesai. He currently leads the Marketing efforts for Electrolux (www.electrolux.in) in Telangana.

Jyoti Lavakare

"Climate activist, author "

Jyoti Pande Lavakare is an independent financial journalist, author, and clean air advocate. She began her career as a radio journalist in 1985 and later worked as a reporter for The Economic Times and Dow Jones Newswires. After moving to California in 2006, she wrote twice- monthly columns on start-ups and entrepreneurship for The Business Standard and the New York Times' India Ink. She currently writes on air pollution for Geneva-based Health Policy Watch, The Wire, Scroll and others. Jyoti also writes fiction and creative non-fiction, with her first book, "Breathing Here is Injurious To Your Health," published by Hachette in 2020. She co-founded Care for Air in 2015, promoting awareness of air pollution's health risks and advocating for clean air for all. Jyoti is a trained Hindustani classical musician and a two-term President of the Sanskriti School PTA.

Sanjoy Hazarika

Human Rights Activist

Sanjoy Hazarika combines roles as researcher, columnist, mentor and practitioner. Author, journalist, filmmaker, policy analyst and human rights advocate, Hazarika is a former reporter for the New York Times. He founded the Centre for North East Studies and Policy Research in India- this flagship program is the innovative boat clinics on the Brahmaputra valley, which reach nearly three lakh people annually. He is an authority on the region and its neighborhood, having served as the international director of the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI) from 2016-2022. Hazarika has scripted and produced over a dozen documentaries, including those on the Brahmaputra River and governance and conflict issues. He is also a columnist, author of five books including Strangers of the Mist and its successor, Strangers No More. He co-edited several books as well, including Hope Behind Bars and on Japan's engagement with the North East of India

Tvesha Ghosh

Student at HIXS

Tvesha is inquisitive about science and technology and is interested in the application of technology for human betterment. A fracture in her leg in 7th grade had a profound impact on her. First-hand experience for what a differently abled person goes through inspired her to take part in various educational experiences linked to health and happiness. These educational endeavors have developed her curiosity in STEM topics and helped develop her critical and logical thinking abilities, problem solving and collaboration skills. Alongside developing research and technology, these undertakings have also made her a tenacious and empathetic individual. She is also passionate about her hobbies and interests outside of school and academics, which include swimming, photography, and travel. She would love to travel, scuba dive and take photographs all over the world. Her take on happiness builds on her reading, personal experiences and reflections and should love to discuss more with you.

Vani Agarwal

Student at HIXS

Vani Agarwal is an 11th grade student at HIXS, who hopes to pursue political science, international affairs, and journalism. She has been empathetic and sensitive from a young age and also wants to align her passion in the social sciences to make a difference in the world around her, and to design impact projects, possibly in the fields of human rights, youth activism, and education. Vani also likes reading the NYTimes, and doing the crossword and Wordle, hanging out with her dog, or listening to one of her favorite podcasts (see: Matter of Opinion). You might also see her writing pieces, for her blog or the school newsletter, or involved in a production with her theater team.