TEDxMAHE

Speakers

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

• Aaquib Wani

  Founder, Aaquib Wani Design | Visual Artist & Designer

  Aaquib Wani’s path to design began in Delhi’s busy lanes, inspired by the intricate Kashmiri handicrafts traded by his family. Though school posed challenges, Aaquib’s curiosity led him to learn from real-life observation, turning setbacks into drive for creative growth. His journey started with music, designing posters and merchandise for his metal band, and took off at Rock Street Journal, where he became art director. Later, he found Aaquib Wani Design (AWD), a studio where culture and technology converge. Recognized by Forbes 30 Under 30 and Grazia’s Cool List, Aaquib’s work gained global recognition with projects like the Adidas-designed Indian cricket team jersey and IPL and Olympic kits. His festival sets for Lollapalooza India and Sunburn further showcase his inventive spirit. Aaquib’s story is a testament to self-taught determination, cultural roots, and creative vision proving that talent can flourish outside traditional classrooms.

• Chetan Jaydeep Ravada

  Co-founder & CTO, ChangePay

  Chetan Jaydeep’s entrepreneurial journey began at NITK Surathkal, where late-night brainstorming and coding fueled his passion to turn ideas into impact. With an academic start, Chetan discovered in college how innovation could start small and scale big. After experience in the IT industry, Chetan co-founded ChangePay with his seniors, aiming to simplify campus transactions in the wake of demonetisation. Wearing multiple hats, he built backend systems and managed products, helping ChangePay evolve into a campus “super-app” connecting deliveries, events, and networks for millions of students. Now as CTO, Chetan is proof that big ideas can grow from campus corridors to billion-dollar realities.

• Naina Sareen

  Actor | Entrepreneur | Founder of NAYN Clothing

  Naina Sareen’s journey began in Bokaro Steel City, where childhood curiosity for acting grew amid the backdrop of her father’s work at the steel plant. At St. Xavier’s she found her passion for the stage, eventually choosing screen acting, a decision that transformed her life. Her debut in Hotel Mumbai while still at film school opened doors to acclaimed international projects like Eeb Allay Ooo!, which went on to win major critics’ awards and stream worldwide. Naina navigated Mumbai’s creative scene through voiceover and translation gigs, undeterred by industry challenges about her “edgy” look. Recent roles in Netflix’s Made in Heaven 2, reveal her versatility. With her clothing brand NAYN, Naina channels bold creativity into fashion, blending contemporary and traditional Indian styles. From Bokaro’s steel town to global film festivals, Naina Sareen’s story shines with grit and artistry, as she continues to leave her mark across screens and beyond.

• Shah Umair

  Heritage Advocate | Founder, Noon Social

  Known to many as Sikkawala, Shah Umair is the coin collector whose passion for India’s history began as a small hobby and grew into a movement. Originally from Eastern India, Umair trained as a fashion consultant, eventually calling Delhi home and founding Noon Social - his creative agency focused on art, craft, and storytelling. For Umair, coins are more than metal; they’re time capsules that inspired him to lead heritage walks, sharing Delhi’s lesser-known monuments and stories. Through social media, he blends striking imagery with compelling narratives, inviting thousands to see history as vibrant and alive. Recognized by media outlets like the BBC and The Indian Express, Umair has become a notable voice for heritage preservation amid urban transformation. Whether through his collection or his guided walks, Umair’s work bridges memory and modernity, ensuring that Delhi’s historic soul remains part of the present.

• Simran Chopra

  Founder, Nourish with Sim | Health Coach & Entrepreneur

  Simran Chopra learned early the value of teamwork and resilience on the basketball courts of La Martinière Calcutta, later representing her school at the district and state levels. After earning her BCA from Bangalore University, she built leadership skills as a class representative and club treasurer, then advanced to a scholarship MBA at Lancaster University. Her career spanned consulting, retail, and supply chain yet it was a personal health crisis after motherhood that transformed her path. Hospitalized just months postpartum, Simran reclaimed her health, losing 23 kg in five months. Sharing her experience online, she saw a need for trustworthy health advice and founded Nourish with Sim in 2018. Her evidence-based, mindful approach has helped over 25,000 clients in 160+ countries find balance and lasting well-being. Simran’s journey from athlete to global health coach is powered by resilience, empathy, and a belief that true health is grounded in balance and self-respect.

• Vivek Atray

  Former IAS Officer | Motivational Speaker | Author | Mentor

  Vivek Atray is known for his dynamic career as an IAS officer, motivational speaker, author, and mentor, whose TEDx and JOSH Talks have reached millions. His early life spanned Delhi, London, and Chandigarh, enriched by family service in the IPS and education, and his own love for cricket and literature. Educated at NIT Kurukshetra and abroad, Vivek combined technical expertise with a reflective outlook, shaped by influences like Autobiography of a Yogi. In his civil service journey, he led transformative projects such as Chandigarh IT Park and e-Sampark, always driving innovation and citizen impact. Since leaving the IAS in 2017, Vivek has devoted himself to writing, speaking, and founding vibrant forums like SUVICHAR Think Tank and the Chandigarh Literary Society. On stage and in his books, he inspires with optimism, thoughtful advice, and a commitment to balanced living, continually motivating others to thrive through purpose and resilience.