Theme: Bending Rules

Most barriers and conventions are merely discerned or self-imposed. Bending Rules challenges us to look again at what’s truly possible. Bending Rules does not necessarily translate to subverting order. It can be a means to think out of the box and achieve something unfathomable. TEDxCRCE aims to serve as an aperture into radical ways of thinking from real people with incredible stories, that it is okay to do things different from the norm, not conform to commonalities and build the courage to believe in our own original ideas. To finally get out of our comfort zones and experiment with ideas that are not given in the books, is how we can try to truly inculcate a global understanding within us. Through a series of selected talks and awe-inspiring performances, we wish to show that you do not need to have a million dollar idea to change the world or emerge as successful. It can all start with a simple change in perspective. Small-scale transitions from diverse fields and backgrounds come to share the unconventional routes that they so daringly took to get where they are today. They include people who diverged, took detours and changed the course of their lives in their own unique ways.

Fr.Conceicao Rodrigues College of Engineering
Mount Mary,Bandra Bandstand,Bandra (West)
Mumbai, Maharashtra, 400050
India

Ajay Prabhakar

Author | Researcher | UN Consultant

Ajay Prabhakar is an Indian researcher and author who until 2014, was a United Nations Country Programme officer. He has worked with the Nigerian Presidency in the Arts and Culture parastatal under President Olusegun Obasanjo. Prabhakar still serves as a consultant to the United Nations and other International bodies on Sustainable Development Goals, Technology, Research and Education. Prabhakar is the author of six books, many of which are being used in schools, colleges and universities in the United States of America, Europe, Asia and Africa. He has done several projects under the aegis of United Nations in the domains of Education, Sustainable Development, Research, Archaeology, Governance etc. He was appointed Africa Renaissance Ambassador and also serves as an Ambassador for Global Peace by the Universal Peace Federation.

Aruna Varanasy

Kuchipudi Performer

Aruna Rekha defines Kuchipudi with grace. She says that a dance form like Kuchipudi has a lot of layers to it, which can only be presented on the screen and to the audience through grace. Kuchipudi as a solo dance form shows multiple characters through the dance drama. There are all opposing and similar elements and themes in one dance form, and a single dancer brings it to life. Therefore, the expressions, the grace and the story are very distinct features of Kuchipudi. Kuchipudi has also been an immensely spiritual journey for her. Family and friends do not compare to the same scale as Kuchipudi for Aruna Rekha Varanasy. She says, “it is not Rekha when I practise, it’s a totally spiritual person connecting to the world”. The emotions which come out during Kuchipudi have elevated her person.

Ashok Johari

Paediatric Orthopaedic Surgeon

After a brilliant post-graduate career in orthopedics, Dr. Ashok Johari started specializing in pediatric orthopedics in the early 1980s. He started a pediatric orthopedic unit at one of the city’s medical colleges in the mid-1980s and then went on to specialized pediatric orthopedics practice including pediatric disabilities and spinal deformities in addition to routine pediatric orthopedics. He spearheaded the pediatric movement in India leading to the formation of the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of India in 1994. Dr. Johari is also the current President of the Indian Academy of Cerebral Palsy (IACP) and past President of the Indian Orthopaedic Association (IOA). Dr. Johari has a number of distinctions, fellowships, awards, numerous papers, and publications to his credit. He has conducted many workshops on pediatric orthopedics, spinal deformities, cerebral palsy, spasticity management, the use of botulinum, and surgery in cerebral palsy.

Nakash Aziz

Singer | Composer

Nakash Aziz, is an Indian playback singer and music composer in Bollywood industry. He is well known for his hit songs like “Sari Ke Fall Sa” and “Gandi Baat”, both songs came from the movie ‘R… Rajkumar’ (2013) and another song ‘Dhating Nach’ from a film ‘Phata Poster Nikla Hero’ (2013). All these songs are picturised on Shahid Kapoor. Nakash has also assisted a very famous and The Living Legend Composer and singer Mr. A. R. Rehman on Hindi films such as ‘Delhi 6’,’I’, ‘Rockstar’, ‘Raanjhanaa’ and ‘Highway’. Before becoming a playback singer he worked as music composer for TV serials. He also composed for Marathi films like ‘Raada Rox’ and ‘No Entry Pudhe Dhoka Aahe’. Nakash comes from a musical family, and his taste was influenced by his father and uncle. They were famous for voice-alike of very famous singers ‘Kishor Kumar’ and ‘Mukesh’ in hometown Mangalore. During his initial days in Mumbai, Aziz got a small-time job in a reality show where A.R. Rehman was one of the judges.

Pooja Taparia

Social Activist

Pooja Taparia is Founder and Chief Executive of Arpan, a globally recognized, award winning NGO working towards the elimination of Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) in India. Based in Mumbai, with a team of over 100 dedicated professionals, Arpan is India’s largest NGO providing CSA Prevention and Intervention services for both children and adults. As a critical stakeholder for state and non-state actors, Arpan is a leading voice in the space of CSA Prevention and Intervention in India, and uses advocacy and research to push for policy and systemic change at the local, state and national levels. As a leader, Pooja embodies the spirit of the modern-day social entrepreneur and has grown Arpan from a 2 person startup into a global thought leader in the CSA space, with innovative impact models that work with a range of stakeholders, from children and parents to state bodies and teachers.

Prateek Sethi

Producer | Director | Designer

Best known for his stint on the popular TV show FAQ on the Pogo channel, Prateek Sethi has carved a niche for himself in the sphere of Creative Communication Design. He was diagnosed with lymphoma cancer when he was a teenager, which was a really difficult phase of his life. He started his design firm Trip Creative Services in the year 2009 and hasn’t looked back since. Today, he is a producer, designer and entrepreneur whose company Trip Creative Services is redefining the sphere of creative communication. Trip Creative Services is a multi-award-winning visual communication design house that has worked on some of the biggest names across industries while maintaining a nimble and agile approach to the entire creative process. Over the years, they have successfully completed more than 680 projects, won 16 awards, and had over 30 nominations. Besides their stellar intergalactic personalities and fabled sense of humor, Trip Creative Services offers a Trans platform approach.

Raj Kapoor

Blockchain Influencer

Raj Kapoor is passionate about making India the blockchain capital of the world and a serial entrepreneur. His areas of expertise include blockchain technology and strategic consultation. Raj Kapoor is an Advisory Board Member at several blockchain companies and the Founder and Chairman of the India Blockchain Alliance, the largest Indian emerging technology tech think tank. He is an accomplished Tech innovation professional, Drupal Web Application Developer, Blockchain & Cryptocurrency Educator, Certified Bitcoin Professional (CBP), Blockchain Solution Architect, Community organizer and friend of disruptive ideas, protem Chairman for Organization of Blockchain Technology Users (OBTU). He is also the Asia Lead, Technology & Innovation at Blockspace Technologies Ltd. and Advisor of Techbuild Innovation Partners. Raj has helped organize India’s biggest Blockchain and Cryptocurrency events across major cities.

Tannaz Irani

Actress

Tannaz began her film career in 2000, with her debut as Neeta in Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai, directed by Rakesh Roshan. That film was also the debut film of the lead actors Hrithik Roshan and Ameesha Patel. She played Patel's cousin and Roshan's girlfriend. Her significant credits include Abbas Mustan's thriller 36 China Town, Sooraj Barjatya's Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon, and Jugal Hansraj's Roadside Romeo. She has also acted in several television serials including Ye Meri Life Hai, Kis Desh Mein Hai Meraa Dil, and played the role of Lisa D'Souza on the sitcom Badi Door Se Aaye Hain. Tannaz was noted for her role of a young Anglo Indian girl trying to learn Hindi in Zabaan Sambhal Ke, also starring Pankaj Kapoor; and in 2019, played Nishi Sippy on the TV show Kahaan Hum Kahaan Tum. Besides acting, Tannaz was also the Runner-up of Mrs. India 2002. She and her husband, Bakhtiyaar Irani, came in third in the celebrity dance show Nach Baliye in 2006.