TEDxIndus International School Pune

Speakers

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

• Capt. Rajiv Bali

  Indian Army Veteran Retired Officer Director of Administration at Indus International School Pune

  Capt. Rajiv Bali is a retired Indian Army officer, corporate professional, and educator whose leadership journey spans the battlefield, boardroom, and classroom. He served in counter-insurgency operations and was twice awarded the Chief of Army Staff Commendation Card for exemplary service. After retiring, he worked with multinational organisations in strategy and performance management before transitioning into education. Now, he focuses on building ethical leadership, resilience, and real-world decision-making in young learners. Recognised internationally as Outstanding Educator of the Year by the University of Chicago, Capt. Bali brings a grounded, reflective perspective on leadership shaped in moments of responsibility and challenge.

• Dr. Archana A. Shanker

  Doctor, army veteran, visionary author, and vocal champion of integrative health and mental resilience.

  Dr. Archana A. Shanker is an Indian Army veteran, doctor, bestselling author, and integrative health and wellness advocate who believes in transforming stress into strength and pain into purpose. An alumna of the Armed Forces Medical College, Pune, she served for 23 years in the Indian Army, including during the Kargil War, holding key clinical and leadership roles. With MBBS and MS degrees and global certifications in Modern Applied Psychology and Integrative Health & Wellness, she blends medical science with mindset principles to help youth build resilience, clarity, and self-belief. She was felicitated by the National Commission for Women as a “Woman Pioneer Breaking New Ground” for her service in Jammu & Kashmir and the Siachen sector. Dr. Shanker is the author of multiple bestselling books, including When the Mind Met the Soul, When the Mind Followed the Soul, and her latest bestseller The Arjuna Code: The Secret Scroll of Life.

• Dr. Sapptarishi Ghosh

  Chief Executive Officer (CEO), SCEI SYMBIOSIS CENTRE FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND INNOVATION.

  Dr. Sapptarishi Ghosh is the CEO of the Symbiosis Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Pune, with over 25 years of experience across India and the MENA region. An alumnus of IIM Ahmedabad and IIM Calcutta, he specializes in Entrepreneurship, ESG, Sustainability, and Impact Investments, and is a Certified ESG Practitioner. He has held senior leadership roles at the Aditya Birla Group, Carrefour, Walmart, and Jubilant Industries. Recognized by UNCTAD in 2019, he has received several honors, including “40 Under 40 Business Leaders to Watch,” Consultant of the Year (2025), and Best Mentor of the Year (2025). He has mentored over 250 start-ups and continues to strengthen India’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. add

• Ira Rawat

  Ira is a Grade 11 student at Indus International School, Pune. She is a trained gymnast who has developed strong discipline, balance, and dedication through her years of practice. Beyond gymnastics, Ira is deeply passionate about dance and artistic expression. She enjoys combining her gymnastic skills with dance movements to convey emotions and tell stories through motion. For Ira, movement is not only a sport but also a creative outlet that allows her to express feelings, energy, and individuality. Her performances reflect both technical strength and artistic grace, making her style unique and expressive. Through her commitment to gymnastics and dance, Ira continues to explore new ways of blending athletic ability with creativity.

• Modak Amrutta

  Amrutta Modak is classical indian vocalist. She is a facilitator of English language at the renowned IB school in Pune.

• Mr. Manan Sharma

  student- Indus International School Pune, Recipient of the Defence Minister Commendation Card

  Manan Sharma, the Recipient of the Defence Minister Commendation Card reminds us that leadership can begin early — with discipline, responsibility, and the courage to act when it matters. Through his experiences, he has learned that leadership is not about commanding attention, but about consistency — showing up, taking responsibility, and learning from challenges along the way.

• Mr. Vidhaan Goyal

  Student- Indus International School Pune

  In classrooms, we raise our hands when we don’t understand something. Someone explains. Someone guides us. But beyond the classroom, life offers no such structure. There are no instructions, no immediate answers — only moments that demand calm thinking, independence, and courage. Vidhaan Goyal’s journey reflects this powerful transition from guided learning to real-world experience. His story reminds us that while classrooms build knowledge, it is life’s unexpected challenges that shape resilience, confidence, and character.

• Ms. Jyotsna Kirpekar

  Supporting Actress First TV Newsreader for Mumbai Doordarshan

  Mrs. Jyotsna Kirpekar holds a special place in Indian news reading history as the first face to be seen on Mumbai Door Darshan At a time when few women were seen in the media, she broke barriers with her confident presence and clear delivery of dialogue . Even today after 50 years people recognise her name and face, as the first face Maharashtra saw .

• Ms. Rupal Sancheti

  Director – Digital Transformation & Communication , Sancheti Group of Hospitals MD, Healyos Chair, CII Health Panel

  Ms. Rupal Sancheti is a seasoned business leader with 24+ years of global experience across technology, media, and healthcare—spanning roles from corporate executive to entrepreneur. An MBA graduate from Temple University, USA, she began her career in Silicon Valley with YOPA before leading marketing, branding, and investor relations at Tech Mahindra during its successful IPO phase. She later scaled Sakal Media Group’s Youth Inspirators Network (YIN) to over 100,000 members across Maharashtra and went on to lead communications and digital strategy at the Sancheti Group of Hospitals. She now serves as Managing Director of Healyos, a home healthcare company specializing in physiotherapy. Ms. Rupal also co-founded the performing arts company AAbracadabra, is active in industry leadership roles including Chairperson of CII’s Health Panel, and is passionate about transformation and impact.

• Ms. Shikha Khanna

  Portrait photographer, family and child photographer, TEDx speaker, author, and self-portrait expert; founder of MUM (Mothers United Moment)

  Shikha Khanna is a portrait photographer, TEDx speaker, and self-portrait coach with over 25 years of experience. A pioneer in baby and natural-light photography in India, she has photographed more than 1,000 families. She is the founder of the MUM Empowerment Movement and author of 100 Self Portraits, 100 Dreams and The Selfie Trap. Through her workshops, mentoring, and talks, she empowers women and young adults to tell authentic visual stories and rediscover self-worth.

• Ms. Tanvi Bhatwadekar

  Mindset Coach & Rapid Transformational Therapy Practitioner

  Tanvi Bhatwadekar works at the intersection of mindset, emotions, and untapped human potential. As a mindset coach and hypnotherapist, she has spent years helping people rapidly overcome difficult emotions and habits through subconscious reprograming. What she’s discovered is something many of us overlook: that our biggest struggles rarely come from a lack of intelligence or ability, but from the inner emotional noise we were never taught how to understand or navigate. Drawing from real human experiences, psychology, and deep inner work, she invites us to rethink the way we relate to emotions like anxiety, fear, and self-doubt — especially in a world that constantly asks us to perform. Her work sits at a powerful crossroads — where awareness meets growth, and chaos begins to make sense.

• Rawat Ira

  Ira is a Grade 11 student at Indus International School, Pune. She is a trained gymnast who has developed strong discipline, balance, and dedication through her years of practice. Beyond gymnastics, Ira is deeply passionate about dance and artistic expression. She enjoys combining her gymnastic skills with dance movements to convey emotions and tell stories through motion. For Ira, movement is not only a sport but also a creative outlet that allows her to express feelings, energy, and individuality. Her performances reflect both technical strength and artistic grace, making her style unique and expressive. Through her commitment to gymnastics and dance, Ira continues to explore new ways of blending athletic ability with creativity.