TEDxASM Kochi

Speakers

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

• Balram Menon

  A globetrotting entrepreneur from Kochi, Balram Menon has journeyed through nearly 40 countries, weaving travel and gastronomy into captivating narratives. His minute-long food-review videos gained remarkable traction during the pandemic, with his audience growing exponentially as he showcased everything from rustic street eats to upscale global flavors. Balram’s storytelling extends beyond taste—he explores culinary heritage, whether it is Kolkata’s iconic biryanis or the vibrant flavors of Bolivian streets. His calm narration, eye for authenticity, and ability to connect food with culture have earned him a loyal following. What sets Balram apart is not just his knowledge of cuisine, but the honesty and warmth he brings to his reviews. Through his journeys and stories, he invites audiences to taste, reflect, and experience the world through a more thoughtful and flavorful lens

• Dr. Ajoy Menon

  A pillar of institutional leadership, Dr. (Brig.) Ajoy Menon anchors Amrita Hospital’s administrative excellence with a strategic voice and military-honed rigor. As Senior Medical Administrator, he orchestrates operational coherence, harmonizing clinical delivery with seamless governance. His stewardship has underwritten pivotal milestones—from commemorating departmental silver jubilees to steering quality management across complex patient-care domains . Beyond daily administration, Dr. Menon’s scholarly contributions—such as leadership in a retrospective study on elective surgery cancellations—underscore his commitment to healthcare efficiency and patient-centered innovation .In balancing precision with empathy, he exemplifies how disciplined leadership can elevate institutional culture and performance. Alumni of Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC),Dr Ajoy has had an illustrious career in the Army and was also a United Nations Indian Army Medical officer.

• Dr.Mahesh Kappanayil

  Since joining Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences in 2004, Dr. Mahesh has distinguished himself as both a clinician and an innovator. A master in advanced cardiac imaging, he spearheaded India’s first dedicated pediatric congenital heart-MRI program in 2010, dramatically enhancing diagnostic clarity for complex conditions. With a visionary spirit, Dr. Mahesh founded South Asia’s first point-of-care Medical 3D Printing Lab at Amrita in 2015. There, medical scan images become tangible heart replicas—empowering surgeons to visualize, plan, and execute life-saving operations with unprecedented precision. Furthering this trajectory, he established one of India’s earliest Extended Reality (VR/AR) innovation labs in 2021. These digital “twin” models enable immersive surgical rehearsals, bridging virtual insight with clinical execution. A prolific academic, Dr. Mahesh has published breakthroughs in cardiogenetics—including identifying a lethal fibrillin-4 gene mutation affecting children in northern Kerala. His pioneering work earned recognition at the 2016 Festival of Innovations at Rashtrapati Bhavan and multiple awards in innovation and pediatric cardiology. Beyond the lab, his collaboration with patient‐turned‐advocate Hari exemplifies his commitment to humanizing technology: Hari’s 3D-printed heart allowed a high-risk surgery to succeed, and now he supports Dr. Mahesh in advancing 3D cardiac modelling

• Johann Kuruvilla

  Johann Kuruvilla is the Founder of the Kochi Heritage Project, a pioneering initiative dedicated to preserving and promoting the cultural and historical legacy of Kochi. Through this project, he has created accessible platforms for heritage walks, curated experiences, and digital storytelling that bring alive the city’s layered past. With a professional background in travel and tourism, Johann has successfully merged entrepreneurship with cultural preservation, highlighting how heritage can drive both education and sustainable tourism. His efforts have attracted attention from locals, global travelers, and institutions alike, positioning Kochi as a model for community-led heritage initiatives in India. Recognized for his creative approach to urban storytelling, Johann’s work goes beyond nostalgia—it actively engages younger generations with history, ensuring cultural continuity while fostering civic pride. His leadership demonstrates how heritage preservation can become a dynamic force in shaping inclusive urban identities.

• K.V.Kishore Kumar

  Dr. Kishore Kumar is the Director of The Banyan NGO, one of India’s leading organizations dedicated to mental health care, rehabilitation, and social inclusion. With decades of leadership experience, he has been at the forefront of developing innovative models for community-based mental health services, focusing on the most vulnerable populations. The Banyan’s pioneering initiatives under his guidance include integrated care for homeless individuals with mental illness, long-term rehabilitation programs, and scalable mental health interventions that have influenced policy both in India and abroad. A strong advocate of multidisciplinary collaboration, Dr. Kumar has worked with governments, health institutions, and grassroots networks to expand access to mental health services. His expertise lies in building systems that combine clinical excellence with social care, redefining how mental health is understood and addressed. His leadership continues to shape India’s discourse on mental health equity and inclusion.

• Minisha Arun Thottam

  Minisha Arun Thottam is the founder of Decor Diary, a rapidly growing online home décor brand that has carved a niche for its tasteful yet affordable collections. Beginning as a personal passion project, she transformed it into a recognized business with a strong digital presence. Trained in Human Resources, Minisha built a successful corporate career before making a defining choice during the pandemic. Managing the demands of her HR role alongside motherhood and a budding venture became overwhelming, and she took the bold step of leaving her job to dedicate herself fully to entrepreneurship. Starting from scratch, she handled every aspect of the business—vendor sourcing, product curation, and marketing—relying on perseverance and customer insight. Today, Decor Diary has grown to a community of over 277,000 followers, featured in campaigns such as Mathrubhumi SheCan, and recognized at the BNI Cochin Annual Meet as one of the top emerging business brands

• Siddharth Menon

  Siddharth Menon is an acclaimed playback singer and performer in the Indian music industry, best known as a founding member of the popular music band Thaikkudam Bridge. With his distinctive voice and dynamic stage presence, he has become a leading figure in contemporary Indian fusion music. His performances seamlessly bridge genres—blending Indian classical influences with rock, pop, and Western elements—earning him a wide fan base across India and abroad. Apart from independent music, Siddharth has lent his voice to numerous successful songs in Malayalam cinema, where his renditions have topped charts and won critical praise. Trained in classical music yet unafraid to experiment with new sounds, Siddharth represents a generation of musicians reshaping India’s independent music scene. His artistry continues to inspire collaborations across cultures, reinforcing music as a universal language.

• Sunil J Mathew

  Sunil J. Mathew is the Coach of the Indian Blind Football Team and a key force behind the growth of blind football in India. Under his leadership, the national team has participated in major international tournaments, bringing visibility and recognition to the sport. He has been instrumental in building grassroots programs, training facilities, and awareness campaigns to empower visually impaired athletes. Beyond coaching, Sunil serves as a tireless advocate for accessibility and inclusion in sports, working closely with global blind football federations and disability organizations. His efforts have not only elevated the standard of the game in India but also provided life-changing opportunities for visually impaired youth to pursue competitive sport. Through mentorship, structured training, and international exposure, Sunil has established blind football as both a platform for athletic excellence and a movement for social empowerment in the country.