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).

Kala Academy
Campal
Panaji Goa, Goa, 403001
India

Affan Kutty

Speedcuber

A grade 8th student from Mumbra, Mumbai, India, Affan Kutty is a speedcuber who has mastered the unique ability of making alphabets on Rubik cube. He is now taking it to an altogether different level - blindfolded. This has guaranteed him a place in the Records Books. However, this journey to be among the select few in the world has not been accidental and has the potential to inspire young and old, alike.

Anuja Kamat

Independent musician, illustrator, YouTuber

As a child, Anuja Kamat took some time to come to terms with the traditional process of learning classical music. She went on to earn a Master’s in music from Mumbai University. Her curiosity & desire to share what she learnt in a unique way, led her to start a YouTube channel 'Out of the Shruti Box', which has garnered over 1,40,000+ subscribers. Her videos offer simple examples, analogies and illustrations to understand Hindustani music and connect well with audiences, world-over.

Ashutosh A T Pednekar

Bureaucrat, Change-maker

A firm believer in introducing innovation in the bureaucracy to serve people, Ashutosh A T Pednekar, an IAS Officer has created impact through his novel initiatives that have helped solve many problems faced by the public. Currently serving as Secretary and Commissioner – Panchayati Raj, Relief and Civil Defence – Government of Rajasthan, India, his model projects are considered worthy of being replicated elsewhere in the country.

Deepak Pathania

Industrial Designer, Compulsive Inventor

Deepak Pathania is an inventor & industrial designer from the National Institute of Design. He has innovated and invented all through his multidisciplinary journey, winning awards/ accolades for projects such as animation, architecture, film publicity, republic day floats, TV sets etc. He created Fun Science content for Turner International for their Science show called F.A.Q on POGO and led the teams that created content for 80 episodes across different science shows on TV. He launched d'Art of Science channel on YouTube, which was listed among the top 100 Science Channels on YouTube by feedspot.com, and was among the few channels worldwide to receive a grant from their #YoutubeLearning grant to develop a course of 20 videos which was launched along with the Global Launch of YouTube’s new Learning Playlist features. In 2018 he started FabLabShow, India's first exhibit based science stage show. He aims to get kids excited about science by engagement and by seeing it in action.

Diksha Chhabra

Mrs Body Fit at Mrs India Earth, Fitness Consultant

From weighing 98 kgs to be crowned Mrs. Body Fit and 2nd Runners Up at Mrs India Earth 2017, Diksha Chhabra is now a successful model, fitness coach, motivational speaker and a devoted mother. She is Founder of Diksha Chhabra Fitness Consultation and an Instagram Influencer of repute, she promotes an open progressive approach to body image issues and weight related health problems among women.

Dr Chetan Singh Solanki

Educator, Innovator, Entrepreneur

Dr. Chetan Singh Solanki, is a Professor at the Department of Energy Science and Engineering, IIT Bombay. He is also an educator, innovator, researcher, entrepreneur, author and philosopher, known for his remarkable work in the solar sector. He is currently leading two projects on the dissemination of affordable solar technology. The National Center for Photovoltaic Research and Education (NCPRE) and the Solar Urja through Localization for Sustainability (SoULS) Initiative at IIT Bombay, which aims to provide solar study lamp to every child in rural India as part of its ‘Right to Light’ mission. SoULS Initiative was awarded Prime Minister’s award from Honorable Prime Minister in April 2017 under ‘Innovative Project’ category and also won Grand Prize (South Asia Regional Round) in ‘Empowering a Billion Lives’ competition organized by IEEE. The Student Solar Ambassador workshop organized on 2nd Oct. 2018 has entered in Guinness World Record.

Dr Roop Mallik

Biophysicist

This 2018 Infosys Prize winner’s research on the transport of nano particles inside living cells could impact everything from diabetes to Alzheimer's. He holds a PhD from TIFR, Mumbai, and was awarded the prestigious Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award In 2014 for his contribution towards understanding the functioning of molecular motors.

Dr Sampadananda Mishra

Author, Culturist, Sanskrit scholar

From launching the 24-hour Sanskrit Radio Divyavani, to founding the Samskrita Bala-Sahitya Parishad to propagate children’s literature in Sanskrit, Dr Sampadananda Mishra lives and breathes Sanskrit. As Director of Sri Aurobindo Foundation for Indian Culture, his project Sanskrit and Speech Pathology aims to create a remedial training programme based on Sanskrit sounds to help people with speech-related disorders.

Frederika Menezes

Author, Poet, Artist

Frederika Menezes is an author, poet and artist best known for her book, Unforgotten (which was a love story for young adults). A poem of hers, The Different Normals, features in the Class XI English textbook of the Goa Board of Secondary & Higher Secondary Education (GBSHSE). Frederika's was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy. But that has not stopped her from living her life to the fullest and being an inspiration to others. She found her passion in writing poems. Frederika started by typing on a typewriter, and later, on her smartphone. Frederika's works include The Portrait (a collection of poems), The Pepperns and Wars of the Mind (a fantasy novel) & Stories in Rhyme (which was a book of verse for children). She is also a budding artist. She does her paintings digitally (on a tablet, smartphone or PC), using only one finger. Some of her paintings include The Grieving Madonna, Tourada, Mother Sea and First Kiss.

Greg Acuna

Game developer, Writer, Peace activist

Armed with a degree in Political Science from the University of Southern California and a Masters in playwriting from San Francisco State University, Greg Acuna has worked in theatre, film and TV and consulted for Paramount Pictures, Arthur Anderson and others. He has written, directed and produced for theatre, film and TV, as well as penned down two novels, numerous poems, songs and articles. With his project ‘Planet Earthlings’ he intends to bring about a paradigm change in the world.

Jonathan Rodrigues

Journalist, Lawyer, Mediation advocate

He found his true passion in the midst of confusing case laws, which led to his co-founding the Peacekeeping and Conflict Resolution Team (PACT). An ideator by heart, he believes that not all disputes need to be resolved in a courthouse. Jonathan is also the founder of Advocate Maximus and Lex Infinitum, Goa and Intercessions, Pune, India and is a cross-border dispute facilitator.

Jubin Varghese

Innovator, Co-Founder, Gegadyne energy

Dropping out of college at the age of 21, Jubin set out to build his own electric car and soon co-founded Gegadyne Energy, in 2015, to focus on developing better battery technology. His company has filed multiple international patents that could revolutionise the Automotive and Stationary Energy industry and pave the way for an energy efficient future.

Mohammed Suhail Chinya Salimpasha

Scientist, Mathematician, Innovator

Just eighteen, Mohammed Suhail Chinya Salimpasha is an Indian Inventor, Entrepreneur and Visionary from Mangalore,India. He has a minor planet named after him. He won an Award at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair 2018 and is the recipient of Wolfram Mathematica award. He is best known for his award winning research on pre-symptomatic non invasive diagnosis of protein-energy malnutrition for which he was recently awarded Pradhan Mantri Bala Shakthi Puraskar by Hon. President of India. He's a finalist for ISEF 2019 with his project in cybersecurity.

Wendell Rodricks

Designer, Writer, Activist

Ace fashion designer, writer, activist, Padmashree awardee and recipient of the French Knighthood in the Order of Arts and Letters, he is considered one of the sculptors of the first India Fashion Week in 2000. An author of three books and contributing writer to over a dozen books, Wendell Rodricks has also written for magazines like Femina, Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Elle and Marie Claire. His work celebrates the state of Goa with all its culture.

Yuva de Shiroda

Dhol Taaso folk music fusion band

Yuva de Shiroda is a folk music group from Shiroda, Goa, india. They’ve mixed modern and traditional beats to create their own brand of fusion music. In 2018, they won the Championship Trophy at Ossai, the biggest dhol tasha event in Goa, garnering a standing ovation from judges and audiences alike. Their specialty lies in using traditional instruments like the dhol, tasha and kasale along with innovative props like metal plates to add a unique texture to their music.