TEDxRVCE

Speakers

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

• Anuj Tiwari

  The Co-Founder and CEO of Innovit Technologies, a technology upskilling platform dedicated to closing the employability gap in the modern workforce. Innovit offers structured, industry-focused AI training to build industry-ready talent at scale. The platform is currently upskilling over 3,500 learners across India, including engineering students, unemployed graduates, professionals returning after career breaks, and working professionals seeking career transitions. Innovit Technologies is NASSCOM-certified and backed by the Startup India Seed Fund Scheme. The organization's contribution to workforce development has been recognized with the Crafting Bharat Awards 2025 and the Karnataka Awards 2026. Anuj Tiwari has been recognized as one of the 40 Under 40 India 2025: Emerging Leaders Shaping the Future. He is also the author of the book, “4 Years of Engineering: A Tale of Struggle and Success

• Ashok Kumar Jain

  A visionary Indian classical dance practitioner, choreographer, and educator with over four decades of mastery in Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi. As the Founder of the Natyanjali School of Dance, his acclaimed choreography has graced prominent stages worldwide earning him prestigious accolades such as the Karnataka Kalashree Award and the title Kaliyuga Natyacharya. A former member of the Karnataka Sangeetha Nrithya Academy and an empanelled artiste with the ICCR, he is celebrated for over 20 full-length thematic productions that beautifully blend flawless classical technique with powerful storytelling. Beyond his artistic excellence, Guru Ashok Kumar is a celebrated pioneer in inclusive education and cultural diplomacy. He created the patented "Touch and Feel" technique, a groundbreaking pedagogical method that has opened the world of Bharatanatyam to visually impaired and differently-abled dancers. This historic innovation has led to over 1,000 national performances by his students, earned a permanent place in the Limca Book of Records, and garnered international appreciation from global dignitaries, including former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair.

• Ashwani Sharma

  An educator, researcher, mentor, and lifelong advocate for human potential. Currently serving as an Assistant Professor of Biotechnology at RVCE, he brings over two decades of experience spanning research, teaching, student mentorship, and holistic learning. With expertise in metabolic engineering, genetic engineering, and food technology, Dr. Sharma has guided generations of students through academic and professional challenges. But, what truly defines his work is not the pursuit of grades, ranks, or titles, but his belief that every individual possesses unexplored potential waiting to be understood. His journey itself challenges conventional idea of success. Having experienced firsthand what it feels like to be judged by a number, he transformed setbacks into stepping stones, eventually earning academic distinction and dedicating his life to helping others do the same. Alongside his contributions to biotechnology education, he has mentored aspiring medical professionals and championed approaches that recognize the uniqueness of every learner.

• Bhargavi Rao

  An independent researcher, educator, and environmental advocate with nearly three decades of experience advancing environmental and social justice through research, advocacy, policy engagement, and community action. Her work bridges grassroots realities with decision-making spaces, focusing on climate resilience, governance, sustainable development, and the rights of vulnerable communities. A Senior Fellow and Trustee at Environment Support Group, Bhargavi has collaborated with leading institutions and global research initiatives, helping connect science, policy, and lived experiences. At the heart of her work is a commitment to building equitable and sustainable futures by empowering people, fostering collaboration, and translating knowledge into meaningful action.

• Harini Iyer

  Renowned for her captivating fusion of classical Indian music with contemporary genres such as Soul, Pop and Jazz. Iyer is the founder and the creative director of the Tamil Jazz Collective. Iyer was a part of a Grammy-nominated album titled “Shuruaat” along with the Berklee Indian Ensemble. With over a decade of rigorous training in Carnatic Vocals under the tutelage of Smt. Akhila Siva with additional instruction in Jazz Vocals from the esteemed Lisa Thorson for two years. Iyer has honed her craft and continues to explore nuances in Global music. Iyer has performed with Ukrainian pianist and composer Vadim Neselovskyi, Armenian jazz pianist and composer Tigran Hamasyan, 10-time Latin Grammy-Winner Javier Limon, Flamenco percussionist Israel 'Pirana’ Suarez, American saxophonist and composer Paul Winter, and Indian artists like Shreya Ghoshal and as an opening act for Arijit Singh. Iyer recently returned from her successful debut and international Southeast Asia tour as part of Tamil Jazz Collective and is currently workshopping a new conceptual EP, which she plans on releasing next year.

• Harsha R M

  A seasoned aerospace professional with over two decades of experience shaping the future of aviation and defence technologies. As a Lead Systems Engineer at Boeing, he has contributed to multiple high-impact programs spanning both civilian and defence aerospace applications, driving innovation at the intersection of engineering excellence and real-world impact. Beyond industry, Harsha is a passionate educator and thought leader committed to democratizing aerospace knowledge. He is the author of Aeroverse, a work that simplifies the complexities of the aerospace industry for aspiring learners and enthusiasts. His mission extends far beyond technical domains, where he is the founder of the Harshamayaa Foundation, an initiative dedicated to bringing aerospace STEM education to rural India, igniting curiosity and opportunity where it is needed most.

• Jayshree Kirtane

  Master Coach

  She brings over 30 years of experience spanning academia, coaching, and leadership development. Beginning her career as a professor of quantitative subjects in management schools, a serendipitous coaching encounter two decades ago led her to transition from Mathematical Economics to Applied Psychology. A Master Certified Coach with the ICF, JK has supported the professional journeys of over 900 industry leaders through one-on-one coaching and facilitated more than 500 leadership and team workshops for 10,000+ participants globally, covering themes from vision and values to strategic thinking, communication, and negotiation. She integrates Neuro-Linguistic Programming, psychometric assessments, and insights from Buddhism to deepen learning and lasting impact, and is the author of Fifty Moments of Stillness, exploring the intersection of life, leadership, and spirituality.

• K.N. Subramanya

  An academic leader, researcher, administrator, and passionate advocate for innovation-driven education. Currently serving as the Principal of RV College of Engineering, Bengaluru, he brings over three decades of experience spanning teaching, research, consultancy, institutional leadership, and academic administration. With expertise in Operations Management, Supply Chain and Logistics Management, Decision Sciences, Simulation Modelling, and Applied Ergonomics, he has played a significant role in shaping engineering education and research ecosystems in Karnataka and beyond. Over the course of his distinguished career, Dr. Subramanya has guided more than 100 undergraduate and postgraduate projects, published over 160 research papers, contributed chapters to multiple books, and led several funded research and consultancy projects worth over ₹30 crores. His contributions extend beyond academia through patented innovations, establishment of Centres of Excellence, and collaborations with industries, research organizations, and international universities. Actively associated with organizations such as NBA, NAAC, NIRF, ISQ, and ORSI, he continues to contribute towards quality education, institutional development, and policy-making while inspiring students and educators through his vision for academic excellence and collaborative growth.

• Milind Kelkar

  An AI scientist, product builder, and systems thinker who has spent more than 25 years helping organisations make better decisions in complex environments. His career has spanned analytics, machine learning, marketing science, research, and AI-powered platforms across organisations including Genpact, WNS, HSBC, and Kantar. Today, he leads Unpickle, where he focuses on designing systems that help people navigate ambiguity, connect fragmented information, and turn insight into action. Over the years, his work has ranged from marketing analytics and qualitative research to document intelligence, regulatory compliance, and decision-support systems. A recurring theme across these experiences is a simple observation: most challenges are not caused by a lack of data, but by the difficulty of making sense of it amid competing priorities, uncertainty, and information overload. Outside work, Milind is an avid trekker, participates in bird and forest censuses, enjoys exploring second-hand bookstores, and spends time experimenting in the kitchen with his children as willing tasters and occasional critics. He is endlessly curious about how people learn, decide, and adapt: whether in forests, organisations, or the age of artificial intelligence.

• Prakash Sontakke

  A co-composer, vocalist, and guitarist on the Grammy-winning album Winds of Samsara, is the only artist to have won both the Independent World Music Awards (USA) and the Nashville Award for composers. An A-grade artiste of Akashvani and Doordarshan, he has over 2,000 concerts of experience. Prakash has toured extensively with his troupes, namely the Dr. Prakash Sontakke Group (Progressive Hindustani Crossover) and the international trio Lehera (World Fusion). He has composed and directed music for several plays and productions, and his work has been widely appreciated. His music for Charandas Chor and Girish Karnad’s Yayati was critically acclaimed. Additionally, he created the instrument Swar Veena, on which he can play both Indian Raga music and Western-sounding styles.

• Praveen Kamath Kumbla

  A globally recognized leadership thinker, TEDx speaker, educator, mentor, and HR transformation leader whose life journey reflects the power of resilience, reinvention, and lifelong learning. With nearly three decades of leadership experience across India, the United States, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region, he has helped shape talent, leadership, and learning ecosystems for some of the world's leading organizations. A respected international speaker, he has addressed audiences across continents on leadership, future skills, organizational transformation, human potential, and the evolving relationship between technology and humanity. A TEDx speaker, TEDx curator, and curator of numerous fireside conversations with business leaders and changemakers. Born into a middle-class Indian family, Praveen embraced the philosophy of "earning while learning," supporting his education through perseverance and hard work. A gifted performing artist, he became an All India Radio (AIR) Tabla Artist at the age of 13 and went on to perform in more than 100 live stage programs alongside renowned musicians and television artists before the age of 20. A Gold Medalist and First Rank holder in Training & Development from ISTD, and recipient of the prestigious Young Manager Award at Wipro, he has consistently pursued excellence throughout his career. Demonstrating that learning has no age limit, he completed his Fellow Program in Management (FPM) after the age of 50. Today, he mentors entrepreneurs, startup founders, business leaders, and students and is deeply passionate about exploring the intersection of Artificial Intelligence, Analytics, Leadership, and Human Potential while learning from the curiosity and innovation of younger generations.

• Sharanya Rao

  Sharanya Rao is a third-year Data Science student at RV College of Engineering, and also an aspiring classical dancer. She has been training in Bharatanatyam for the past 15 years and has successfully completed her debut solo recital, or Arangetram, along with securing distinctions in both her Junior and Senior grade certifications. In 2023, she had the honor of performing at the prestigious Mysore Dasara Festival at the iconic Mysore Palace. Beyond academics and dance, Sharanya holds a deep interest in creative expression through poetry and English theatre. She has acted in award-winning plays across intercollegiate fests as part of CARV English, elaborating her passion for performing arts and storytelling.

• Sudarshan Bhat

  Popularly known as “Bhat n Bhat,” is a content creator, entrepreneur, advocate, and passionate promoter of rural culture and traditional living. Alongside his twin brother and family, he co-founded Bhat n Bhat, a digital platform known for authentic traditional cuisine, village lifestyle, and agriculture-based content. Raised in Seethangoli, a small village in Kasaragod, Sudharshan grew up in a financially struggling family where hard work and perseverance shaped everyday life. To support their education and household expenses, he and his brother balanced college with years of demanding catering and cooking work while pursuing their BA LLB degrees. During the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020, a simple homemade cooking video marked the beginning of the Bhat n Bhat journey. What started with mobile-shot videos and limited resources quickly grew into one of the most loved rural content platforms, crossing over one million YouTube subscribers and earning the Golden Play Button. Alongside practicing law, Sudharshan helped expand the brand into a successful homemade products business with physical outlets and the e-commerce platform bhatnbhat.in. Through his work, he continues to preserve traditional culture and inspire young people to transform challenges into opportunities through dedication and teamwork.

• Sushant Rajput

  A corporate leader, TEDx speaker, author, and mentor whose journey reflects the courage to reinvent oneself beyond conventional career paths. Currently serving as Vice President at eClerx, he transitioned from Investment Banking Operations into Business Development and strategic leadership roles. Widely recognized for his work in professional skills development, mentorship, career coaching, and guiding students on evolving industry expectations, he actively bridges the gap between classrooms and corporate realities through books, talks, workshops, and academic engagements. His contributions have earned national and international recognition, including honors associated with the University of Oxford, the Outlook Southern Achievers Award 2026, ET NOW recognition for thought leadership and youth development, along with multiple literary awards. Featured in platforms such as Forbes India, Business Today, and Fortune India, he continues to inspire young professionals to think independently, lead authentically, and create meaningful impact.

• Urvashi Patole

  A motorcyclist, marketing and community strategist with deep roots in India’s riding ecosystem. She is the co-founder of The Bikerni, India’s first all-women motorcycling community, and has spent over a decade helping women across the country find their place on the road. With experience across OEMs, grassroots communities and on-ground ride programs, her work sits at the intersection of people, machines and experiences. She is currently a partner at WingManX, a leading motorcycle community ecosystem, and part of the core team behind India Bike Week, Asia’s largest motorcycling festival. Her journey reflects a constant move towards uncharted spaces, both on the road and in the communities she has built, driven by curiosity, independence and the courage to do things differently.

• Vinay Patil

  The Founder & CEO of SKILLFIX and Founder & MD of ROOTS Education, organizations dedicated to empowering learners through innovative training and holistic coaching. With 19 years of experience, he has transformed over 7 lakh lives, earning accolades such as the Young Entrepreneur Award and Teacher Excellence Award. Vinay is also a National Level Hockey Player and holds degrees in Electronics & Communication Engineering, Political Science, and Leadership & Change Management. His work focuses on bridging educational gaps, delivering guest lectures at prestigious institutions, and collaborating with government bodies to empower students and faculties. Vinay believes in the power of education to spread light, embodying his motto: "Life is like a candle, spread light to others before it melts."