Anshuman Cherukuri
A good speaker is someone who can capture an audience's attention and heart. It’s more than just talking; it's about connecting with others. A great speaker knows how to make their ideas clear and interesting. They use words that paint pictures in your mind and make you feel excited or thoughtful.
Anshuman is a passionate advocate for expressing thoughts and opinions through verbal communication. He believes that debates and discussions offer a dynamic platform to explore diverse perspectives on current issues. Beyond public speaking, Anshuman is an enthusiastic badminton player and enjoys reading non-fiction books. His interest in racing, particularly Formula 1, adds another dimension to his personality. Although balancing work and play is difficult especially in a year as important as this, Anshuman focuses on consistent efforts rather than dedicating hours to each subject. He believes any efforts, whether fruitful or fruitless contributes to the greater good. He hopes to be an Economist with a central background in Finance in the distant future and is also interested in Data Analytics. While his interests may be specific, Anshuman is committed to listening and collaborating with others.
Ashok Kumar
Ashok V.M. Kumar (Retd.) is a former Naval officer who had a distinguished career with the Indian armed forces. He is an alumnus of the prestigious 94th National Defence Academy and the 56th Integrated Cadet Course of the Indian Naval Academy. Cdr. Ashok has been combating human trafficking syndicates for years, directly rescuing thousands of women and children from human slavery. He has been recognized for his exemplary service and achievements with several prestigious awards:
- Chief of the Naval Staff Meritorious Commendation
- Director General Indian Coast Guard Meritorious Medal
- Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Commendation for saving lives on a burning vessel
Cdr. Ashok’s profound experiences as a retired naval officer and his expertise in leadership make him an ideal speaker for a TEDxYouth event. His military background, coupled with his ongoing work in anti-human trafficking, equips him to deliver an inspiring and thought-provoking talk that resonates with the audience. Cdr. Ashok’s experiences navigating the dualities of military life—balancing strategy with compassion, authority with empathy—align well with the theme of “Yin and Yang - Balancing Light and Dark.” His talk could offer valuable insights on maintaining equilibrium in high-pressure situations, applicable to various aspects of life.
Devika Bahudhanam
Devika Bahudhanam, a filmmaker and an executive producer known for her exceptional work on shoestring budgeted films like Iqbal and Dor to Magnum opuses like Bahubali 1 and 2
She flawlessly handled Hindi dubbing of Bahubali, which earned her compliments from many including the renowned producer and director, Karan Johar who was the Hindi distributor for the movies.He remarked that the films sound like they were shot in Hindi language.That apart, she worked in various capacities with the acclaimed filmmaker, Nagesh Kukunoor on all his films later she even directed an Amazon Prime show under his show running. Her skills have been lauded by prominent film makers and producers such as S.S. Rajamouli, Shobu Yarlagadda and Prasad Devineni.
Devika's journey is marked by her perseverance despite being a cancer patient and the mother of a son with a rare chromosomal condition. Her ability to remain stoic and supportive of both her career and family showcases her extraordinary balance. Devika's compassion for her profession and her family, along with her resilience, make her an inspiring candidate for a TEDx talk. She embodies a profound sense of Balance and gratitude, offering valuable life lessons and inspiration to the youth.
Rajiv Chauhan
Brigadier Rajiv Chauhan is a seasoned military leader who brings with him a wealth of professional experience and sincere commitment to transformation and growth. He joined National Defence Academy, Pune in July 1988. During his illustrious career in the military, spanning over three decades, he has led from the front, along the vast frontiers of the country in the face of most daunting tasks and challenging circumstances.
Brigadier Chauhan has recently been conferred with Doctorate (Hon) in Management and is distinguished by his impressive professional qualifications, which include a Master of Philosophy in Defence and Strategic Studies, Masters in Management Science and MSc in Tech (Armament). An alumnus of prestigious National Defence College, New Delhi, Officer is currently heading Country's premium Training Institute.
As a leader, Brigadier Chauhan believes in leading by example. His charismatic style and deep commitment to his troops have made him a respected figure within the military circle and beyond. He is not a leader who issues orders; he is someone who inspires his team to exceed their limits and pursue excellence.
Revanth Ukkalam
Revanth Ukkalam is currently a graduate student in the South and Southeast Asian Studies Department at the University of California-Berkeley. He holds a BA in History from Ashoka University and an MA in Sanskrit from Deccan College. Revanth’s academic interests lie in the social and cultural history of South Asia, with a focus on travel through the ages, the movement of texts and cultures, and historiography. He intends to study the allusions to historical events of Ancient India in the 11th-century Sanskrit text from Kashmir, Kathasaritsagara, and the Bruhatkatha tradition, dated to the early centuries CE. Revanth envisions himself as a historian, writer, and knowledge communicator, with a deep passion for reading. He runs a podcast titled Pravaha and shares Indian Classical Art-templated memes on his Instagram handle, @thesleepingbuddha. Additionally, he enjoys traveling, music, particularly as a talented whistler, and doodling. His academic excellence has been recognized through several prestigious awards, including the TELSA Grant for research in Telugu studies (Berkeley, 2024), the Bruce Pray Fellowship from the Institute of South Asian Studies (Berkeley, 2023), the Narottam Sekhsaria Fellowship (Deccan College, 2022-23), and the Kosambi Book Memorial Prize for Best Ancient History Student at Ashoka University (2019).
Rupesh Chennuri
CH Rupesh is an esteemed officer of the Indian Police Service (IPS) known for his dedication, integrity, and significant contributions to law enforcement. His career is marked by his relentless pursuit of justice and innovative approaches to policing. CH Rupesh has received several accolades for his exemplary service. These include:
- The President's Police Medal for Meritorious Service
- The Police Medal for Gallantry
- Numerous state and regional awards for his innovative initiatives and leadership in policing
Due to his effective and efficient law enforcement operations
CH Rupesh's ability to connect with young audiences and inspire them with stories of resilience, innovation, and leadership aligns perfectly with the goals of a TEDx Youth event. His work highlights the delicate balance between enforcing the law (often perceived as the 'dark' aspect of his role) and community service and trust-building (the 'light' aspect). His efforts, hence create a harmonious balance between strict law enforcement and compassionate community engagement.
Sai Vardhan Shivanagaram
Sai Vardhan, a 12th grader in the Science stream, is someone who has an avid approach to life. Through immense interests in various fields, he loves to be curious and tries to learn as much as he can about various topics. His ability to communicate effectively, coupled with his logical creativity has made him the Chief Minister of over 100 schools across Hyderabad, where he utilises government resources to drive change in today’s world. Vardhan is very ambitious, aiming to become a multi-millionaire one day, and he is persistent in developing fundamental skills such as public speech, negotiations, analytical skills, and so on. Vardhan’s foundational belief of ‘failure is the mother of success’ makes him someone who strives to achieve things that may seem out of reach at first. Such qualities of his make him the ideal student speaker for the event.
Sunil Menon
Founder and Head Coach of Menon Fitness Systems, Sunil Menon started Menon Fitness Systems on January 3, 2016. Quitting his 18-year job at Microsoft with a mission to influence the right habits for an active lifestyle by providing training and nutrition plans, safe and natural nutrition products, and healthy hacks for smart training to lead an injury-free life. He is a two-time Ironman finisher and the winner of the 2012 Bangalore Ultra 75K. He has also authored two books, “Fuel Your Body Naturally: Be a Long-lasting Endurance Machine” and “Breathe Better, Live Better: The Power of Conscious Breathing.”
Sunil Menon is a great TEDx speaker for our theme “Yin and Yang: Balancing Light and Dark” because his journey epitomizes the balance between professional success and personal well-being. His story of leaving a stable career to pursue his passion for fitness and wellness showcases the harmony between ambition and health. This balance is a powerful example for our audience, illustrating how embracing both light and dark aspects of life can lead to a fulfilling and impactful existence. His presence will undoubtedly excite the audience and inspire them to seek their own equilibrium.