Theme: Some to Awesome!

The 5th edition of TEDxMEC was driven by the theme ‘Some to Awesome!’. TEDxMEC 2013 brought together the awesome!

Govt. Model Engineering College
Govt. Model Engineering College
Thrikkakara P.O
Cochin (Ernakulam), 682021
India

T.P Sreenivasan

Diplomat, Ambassador, Author, Producer, T.P. Sreenivasan has many roles. An iconic figure in field of multilateral diplomacy, T.P. Sreenivasan is currently holds the position of Vice-Chairman and Executive Head of the Kerala State Higher Education Council, which advises the Kerala Government on matters relating to Higher Education. A former Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations, Vienna and Governor for India of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna and Ambassador to Austria and Slovenia (2000-2004), he retired from the highest level of Indian Foreign Service in June 2004 with 37 years of diplomatic experience in crucial appointments around the globe, behind him.

Captain Radhika Menon

The very first woman captain of the Indian merchant navy, Captain Radhika Menon understood from the very beginning that she was not cut out for the regular 9-to-5 job. She wanted to do something different. Soon after her final exams of pre degree she joined the Shipping Corporation of India as a trainee radio officer. The job entailed looking after the ship's communication systems. She was then the first woman radio officer in the country. She gradually ascended the hierarchy by clearing exams for the posts of second mate and chief mate, and did the sea time required to appear for the master's certificate which she cleared in 2010. Last year, she took charge of MT Suvarna Swarajya, on which she had sailed twice earlier. She proved herself and became first Indian woman to command a merchant ship as a captain. Some have even mistaken her for a man with a womanly voice over the VHF, a radio frequency ships use to communicate with each other. Her words “I knew I would become captain one day,” is a strong motivation for the generations to come.

Sanjay Manaktala

Sanjay Manaktala isn't your average NRI. Born in the US, he recently came back to India as his job got outsourced and continued his comedic endeavors in the process. Silly, intelligent, self deprecating and refreshingly relaxed is how his act has often been described. A techie at heart who grew up worrying about his first girlfriend, first job and first everything that came after, he likes to poke fun at life's big problems in a small way. Mostly clean and mostly English (since he doesn't know much Hindi), he has become one of the brightest comics in the country. He is a regular at the Canvas Laugh Factory and the Comedy Store properties across Mumbai and Delhi, and does shows across all the major metros for various clients. He has also been featured on CNN.com, Forbes India, TOI and various other publications. When he's not performing, he occasionally writes for DNA, actively pushes his youtube.com/SanjayComedy channel, works in a comedy troupe (facebook.com/PolishedBottoms) and or course, daydreams in his cubicle.

Diwia Thomas

The founder of Papertrail, a social entrepreneurship venture that began in 2008, Diwia Thomas involves women from all strata of society in making newspaper bags. She manages an extensive supply chain of newspaper donators, bag makers and customers. Some of their bags even sail the seas. Papertrail operates in 5 locations across Kerala and touches the lives of countless women, from the educated and healthy to the abandoned, physically challenged and even adivasis who live on the fringe of Kerala’s forests. Empowering the women financially is her goal. Her vibrant personality and gentle words have motivated many women to move up in life. She is a writer by profession and is currently engaged in Content Strategy for the web.

Arshad Muhammed

A 11th grader who discovers enlightenment and enjoyment in the knowledge that the world has lot to offer, Arshad Muhammed is a student of Rajagiri Public School, Kalamassery. He is an avid reader, and indulges in quizzing, oratory, debate and chess in his leisure time. He believes that any problem has a hidden solution, and a combination of logic and team-work, coupled with optimism and determination can easily help in discovering that solution. Arshad was selected as the Aviva Young Scholar National Geographic National Champion in 2010, and has also been a regular winner of the CBSE Extempore Speech competitions, and Malayala Manorama State Public Speaking Contests. An NTSE Scholar, he believes that India’s success depends on whether her youth are willing to pitch their efforts collectively. He was also the national runner-up in the Hindu Young World Quiz 2011 and the Aqua Regia National Science Quiz 2011.