TEDxKanke

Speakers

Speakers may not be confirmed. Check the event website for the latest lineup.

• Das Gadadhar Das

  Founder, Bhaktivedanta Vidyabhavan Gurukul

  Das Gadadhar Das is a visionary educator and spiritual leader who bridges the worlds of technology and tradition. A Computer Science graduate who left a flourishing IT career to pursue a higher purpose, he is the Founder of Bhaktivedanta Vidyabhavan Gurukul. He is dedicated to reviving value-based Gurukul education, blending ancient Vedic wisdom with modern needs. In an age dominated by Artificial Intelligence, Das Gadadhar Das champions the importance of human consciousness, ethics, and holistic development, reminding us that while machines process data, only humans possess wisdom.

• Dr. Amar Kumar Pandey

  IPS & Rtd DGP Karnataka

  A legendary figure in Indian law enforcement, Dr. Amar Kumar Pandey is the former Director General of Police, Karnataka. Known as the "Don’s Nemesis" for masterminding the capture and extradition of fugitive gangster Ravi Pujari, Dr. Pandey combines operational grit with profound intellectual depth, holding a Ph.D. from NLSIU. A UN Peacekeeping veteran, he is now a thought leader on "Smart Policing" and the integration of technology in internal security. Dr. Pandey offers a compelling perspective on how AI and data analytics are reshaping the landscape of crime detection, cyber security, and urban safety.

• Dr. Anup Nandy

  Associate Prof., NIT Rourkela

  Dr. Anup Nandy is an Associate Professor and the Head of the Centre for Automation Technology at NIT Rourkela, standing at the forefront of "Human-Centric AI." A recipient of the prestigious JSPS Fellowship (Japan), the NVIDIA GPU Grant, and the recent SPARC Award (2025) from the Ministry of Education, Dr. Nandy is decoding the human experience through technology. His research spans Human Gait Analysis, EEG-based cognitive computing, and Human-Robot Interaction. having represented India as a Young Scientist at the BRICS Conclave, he collaborates with global universities in Tokyo and Seoul to build AI that doesn't just process data, but understands human movement and emotion.

• Dr. Devaji Patil

  Advisor, IITB-HST

  Dr. Devaji Patil is a medical visionary and public health expert redefining the landscape of nutrition and metabolic health in India. Associated with the WHEELS Global Foundation and IIT Bombay’s Health Spoken Tutorial, he is spearheading a pathbreaking, technology-driven model aimed at eliminating malnutrition nationwide. With extensive experience leading projects supported by the Gates Foundation and DFID–UK, Dr. Patil uniquely bridges modern, evidence-based science with traditional Indian wisdom. His transformative approach to Metabolic Health—a methodology through which he successfully reversed his own diabetes—demonstrates how the convergence of digital tools, biological insights, and preventive care can address India’s most enduring health challenges.

• Dr. Sunil Kumar Barnwal

  IAS & CEO NHA

  Dr. Sunil Kumar Barnwal is a defining figure in Indian Governance and currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the National Health Authority (NHA). An IAS topper (Rank 1, 1997 batch) and Director’s Gold Medalist, he holds academic credentials from IIT (ISM), Harvard University, and the National University of Singapore (NUS). As the leader of the world’s largest health assurance initiatives—Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY and the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM)—Dr. Barnwal is widely regarded as an architect of India’s digital health transformation. His work exemplifies a fundamental shift in public administration, moving governance from a reactive model to proactive integrity management. By strategically leveraging artificial intelligence, he is strengthening transparency, preventing systemic fraud, and enabling the delivery of equitable healthcare to nearly 500 million citizens.

• Hariharan Raghunathan

  Head Product, Microsoft AI

  Hariharan Raghunathan is a key architect of the generative AI revolution as the Principal Group Product Manager at Microsoft AI. With a deep history in search technology and product strategy, he is at the forefront of integrating Large Language Models (LLMs) into everyday computing. Hariharan’s work involves navigating the complex frontiers of AI capabilities, from "Copilot" ecosystems to advanced search algorithms. He brings a Silicon Valley perspective to the stage, offering insider insights into how Generative AI is reshaping productivity, creativity, and the future of human-computer interaction.

• IIM Ranchi

  EKATVA- Becoming One from IIM Ranchi

  As intelligence moves from tools to companions, the students of IIM Ranchi present EKATVA – Becoming One, a powerful stage performance built around the idea of a Neural Twin: an AI that learns not just from data, but from human thought, memory, and emotion. Through storytelling, movement, and dialogue, Ekatva explores love, freedom, identity, and justice, questioning what happens when machines begin to mirror our inner world. When guidance replaces instinct and algorithms echo our choices, the performance asks a haunting question: Are we using intelligence or slowly surrendering it? Ekatva is not about fearing AI, but about remembering the human voice that must always lead it.

• Rakhi Prasad

  Co-Founder, ClarityX

  Rakhi Prasad is a finance and technology leader turned AI entrepreneur who stands at the intersection of data, intuition, and human judgment. As the Co-founder of ClarityX and a Non-executive Director at MapmyIndia Mappls, she leverages over two decades of global experience at Goldman Sachs (NY) and Matrix Partners to democratize enterprise analytics. An alumnus of Columbia University and the University of Michigan, Rakhi uniquely combines analytical depth with a background in theatre. She advocates for ethical innovation, exploring how clarity and storytelling shape the future with a defining philosophy: "Technology amplifies humans, it does not replace them."

• Raul John Aju

  Founder, AI Realm Technologies

  Raul John Aju is a 16-year-old Founder and CTO of AI Realm Technologies and a child prodigy who is inspiring audiences to move from being “AI curious” to “AI serious.” A recipient of the prestigious Ujwala Balyam Award 2025 and a two-time champion of India’s largest AI Buildathon, Raul is a remarkable young innovator who built his first humanoid robot, MeBot, at just 12 years of age. Through impactful platforms such as NyayaSathi (Legal AI) and JustEase, he is redefining the application of practical artificial intelligence to solve real-world problems. His extraordinary journey—marked by reversing traditional hierarchies, including famously employing his own father—underscores his belief in empowering the next generation to become builders, not merely consumers, of technology.

• Rian Kumar

  Founder, Pedal for Planet

  Rian Kumar, affectionately known as "Rian the Lion," is India’s youngest cycling prodigy and a multi-time World Record holder. Starting at age 6, Rian shattered expectations by cycling over 100 km non-stop, displaying stamina and discipline far beyond his years. Honored by Governors and recognized internationally, he has covered over 15,000 km and founded 'Pedal for Planet' at age 9. Rian represents the indomitable spirit of Generation Alpha—limitless, focused, and ready to conquer the future. He stands as a shining example of what the youth can achieve with passion and perseverance.

• Saikat Panda

  Founder, Socialys Evidentia Global Consulting

  Saikat Panda is the Founder of Socialys Evidentia Global Consulting and a pioneering strategist in the non-profit sector. As the head of the I3 Global Nonprofit Leadership Academy, he enables organizations across the Global South—from India to Uganda—to harness technology for effective fundraising and deeper donor engagement. An alumnus of IIT Gandhinagar and host of the Nonprofit Blueprint Podcast, Saikat bridges social purpose with digital efficiency. He talks how data analytics and resilient technological infrastructure can redefine social impact, ensuring that philanthropy in the “Era of AI” is measurable, accountable, and scalable.

• Shaurya Sham Gaikwad

  Founder & CEO at GoLeap 360

  Shaurya Gaikwad is a dynamic young entrepreneur and the Founder of GoLeap 360. Recognized as the "Youngest Entrepreneur of the Year 2024," Shaurya is a Microsoft Learn Student Ambassador and a recipient of the Google Career Certificate Scholarship. He holds a world record for typing speed and has authored articles on fintech and startup scaling. Shaurya embodies the spirit of the new digital economy, proving that age is no barrier to innovation. He inspires peers to leverage technology and AI to build ventures that solve real-world problems.

• Shivram Lakshminarayanan

  Head of Analytics, Swiggy

  Shivram Lakshminarayanan is the Head of Analytics at Swiggy and a visionary leader transforming the science of data into the art of storytelling. With over 15 years of experience at industry giants like PhonePe, Brillio, and Mu Sigma, he champions "Product-Centric Analytics"—moving beyond code to create tangible business value. A believer in lifelong learning, he picked up the guitar at age 35 and actively explores "left-of-field" concepts like Gamification and CSR to spark inspiring ideas. He will explore how rigorous analytics can be applied to unconventional domains to drive human-centric impact.

• Syam Kumar S.S.

  Adventurist

  Syam Kumar S. S. is a living testament to the indomitable human spirit. An amputee who has undergone 16 major surgeries, including a kidney transplant, Syam defied all odds to become the world’s youngest solo skydiver with a prosthetic leg. A record-holding cyclist and certified paragliding pilot, he pushes the boundaries of what is physically possible. Syam represents the intersection of human resilience and assistive technology, showcasing how determination, aided by modern engineering, can conquer the skies. His story is a powerful reminder that in an era of advanced technology, the human will remain supreme.

• Vikas Hirani

  Entrepreneur & Environmentalist

  Vikas Hirani is a dedicated environmentalist and entrepreneur driven by a profound passion for our planet. He posits that Earth is the fundamental source of all human existence, yet it faces critical devastation from the often-overlooked impact of daily human actions. His mission is to awaken a collective consciousness, urging society to adopt sustainable lifestyles and recognize how small individual choices contribute to environmental degradation. His aim is to unite individuals in safeguarding our shared home, reminding us that “What is AI without the Earth?”