TEDxBDSIS

Speakers

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

• Anaheeta (Annie) Bafna

  Founder of The Nutcracker

  Ms. Annie Bafna is a Chartered Accountant turned restaurateur and the Founder of The Nutcracker, a Mumbai restaurant brand established in 2014. Driven by her passion for wholesome food and warm hospitality, Annie set up The Nutcracker as Mumbai’s first eggetarian all-day breakfast space, introducing a creative spin on vegetarian food menus. Over the years, The Nutcracker has become synonymous with honest food, thoughtful design, and a strong sense of community. Annie’s journey - from numbers to nourishment - reflects her belief that food has the power to connect, to comfort, and to inspire.

• Anika Bhimrajka

  Student

  Anika Bhimrajka is a 15-year-old Grade 9 student at B.D.Somani International School who is driven by an endless curiosity about people, emotions and what makes us who we are. Anika strives to understand not only how human cognition works, but rather why people do what they do, a question that stems right from her beliefs of humanity, equality and empathy. When she is not understanding the complexities of the human mind, Anika either finds herself in her studio, letting music take control of her mind and body, or voraciously reading a murder mystery. As an aspiring psychologist, Anika wishes to see a future that is driven by unity, not judgement, and wants to use her love for dance and psychology to bring about that change.

• Ayaan Mehta

  Student

  Ayaan Mehta is 15-year old Grade 9 student at BDSIS who is an avid traveler, a passionate and reflective learner, and someone deeply curious about the world around him. He often draws on what he learns to better understand the world and his own place and journey through it. With a keen interest in history and classical languages, Ayaan has studied both Latin and Greek to explore the roots of human thought, identity, and connection. Ayaan is also a musician who plays both the piano and the tabla, finding comfort and expression in rhythm and melody. From wildlife safaris to witnessing the Northern Lights, and through summer internships at e-mobility organizations and music research centers, he continues to explore the intersections of technology, creativity, and culture. Thoughtful and inquisitive, Ayaan reflects honestly on the highs and lows of being a teenager today, using every experience as an opportunity to learn more about the world - and about himself.

• Jimmy Mistry

  Chairman & Managing Director, Della Group

  Mr. Jimmy Mistry is a visionary futurist, designer, and multidisciplinary entrepreneur celebrated for pioneering experiential hospitality in India. Over a distinguished 30-year career, he has served as the Chairman & Managing Director of the Della Group, redefining global architecture and luxury design through theme-based townships, resorts, adventure parks, and luxury lifestyle spaces across homes, offices, and hotels. His latest venture, Della Luxury Products - India’s first direct-to-consumer luxury interior brand. He also founded the Della Leaders Club (DLC), a global community of entrepreneurs committed to empowering next-generation leaders. Today, his ventures span six thriving businesses employing over 2,500 people. As a social entrepreneur and animal welfare advocate, Mr. Mistry has championed education for underprivileged children his journey embodies his belief: “Success can only be measured by the number of human lives one has touched positively.”

• Mythili Zatakia

  Founder-Director @ Junoon Foundation

  Ms. Mythili Zatakia is a professional Classical Dancer and Founder-Director of The Junoon Foundation, an arts institution rooted in the Gurukul tradition. Trained in Bharatanatyam under Dr. Rathna Kumar and in Classical Ballet at Danceworks London, she continues advanced training with mentors from leading global ballet and dance companies. She established The Junoon Gurukul in Bavdhan, Maharashtra, offering an integrated arts curriculum combining dance, literature, music, and movement theory. Through international collaborations in Turkey and Azerbaijan and outreach in Kashmir, Gujarat, and Tamil Nadu, she promotes inclusive, high-quality arts education. Believing classical art is a right, not a luxury, she advances access and excellence through Junoon’s educational and performance initiatives, including The Junoon Academy (Rural Gujarat, 2025) and Junoon Production’s debut “KAYA” (NCPA, Mumbai, 2025).

• Nalin Moniz

  3 time IRONMAN champion

  Mr. Nalin Moniz is a graduate of the Management & Technology program at the University of Pennsylvania. Doing two undergraduate degrees at once wasn't hard enough - so in his late 30s he discovered a love for three sports: swimming, cycling and running that together form the sport of triathlon. In the last 47 years, there have only been 993 Indians to ever complete an IRONMAN - the pinnacle of endurance sports and only 20 of that elite group have ever represented India at a World Championship. Nalin has done it thrice, is a member of IRONMAN India's Hall of Fame and truly believes in IRONMAN's motto that "Anything is Possible".

• Tanisha Kejriwal

  Co-founder of Blueprint Water

  Ms. Tanisha Kejriwal, an alumna of BDSIS 2021, later went on to study Economics and Psychology at Claremont Mckenna College. She is now an entrepreneur committed to creating meaningful impact and challenging the way people think about their daily choices. She is the co-founder of Blueprint Water, a sustainability-led company reimagining the hydration industry. By offering paper-packaged drinking water as an alternative to single-use plastic, Blueprint encourages consumers to prioritize sustainability and create a positive impact. Alongside her work in sustainability, she is deeply passionate about education. She has led and supported projects that encourage academic curiosity, creativity and socio-emotional growth. Outside of her professional life, Tanisha also has a strong background in Kathak Dance, Visual Art, and Piano, all of which continue to shape her approach to creative expression and innovation.