TEDxDY Patil World School Youth

Speakers

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

• Ananth Narayan Mahadevan

  Indian National Award–winning filmmaker for Mee Sindhutai Sapkal (2010), he has directed acclaimed films including Gour Hari Dastaan: The Freedom File, Rough Book, and Doctor Rakhmabai, all official selections at international festivals. Mai Ghat: Crime No. 103/2005 was India’s official selection for the Marche du Film at the Cannes Film Festival (2020) and won multiple awards globally. His film Bittersweet premiered at the Busan International Film Festival (2020), earning a Kim Jiseok Award nomination and selection at 11 international festivals, later representing India at Cannes (2021). His latest film It’s Time to Go explores active euthanasia, starring Dilip Prabhavalkar and Rohini Hattangady. He is also the author of Once Upon a Prime Time, based on his 40-year journey in Indian television.

• Balaji Jayaseelan

  Balaji Jayaseelan is Global Vice President of Sustainability at Berlin Packaging, where he leads the company’s global sustainability vision, strategy, and execution across diverse consumer and professional brands. He brings more than two decades of experience in environmental management, digital transformation, and governance, including prior global sustainability leadership at some of the leading global brands. Balaji holds an MBA from Emory University’s Goizueta Business School, an MS in Environmental Management from the Illinois Institute of Technology, and a BE in Chemical Engineering from the National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli.

• Col. Mickie Uberoi

  Colonel Mickie Uberoi (Retd) is a decorated Indian Army officer and alumnus of the National Defence Academy, honored with multiple medals for courage, exceptional devotion to duty, and outstanding service. He served in key operational areas, including the Northern Sector. A national-level sports medalist, he also served as Executive Vice President of the National Optimist Association of India and led several Indian Army sailing expeditions. Driven by a commitment to social impact, he founded the Sant Ishwar Foundation, supporting orphaned and abandoned girls, women with locomotor disabilities, and the elderly. He also conceptualized “Ghar,” an initiative providing shelter, dignity, and opportunity. Today, he works as a Social Impact Leader and Humanitarian, dedicated to transforming lives.

• Dippak Wani

  Dippak Wani’s journey from humble beginnings to industry leadership is a story of resilience, innovation, and relentless entrepreneurial spirit. With a foundation in engineering, he began innovating early by creating electronic code locks using the Indian IC555, earning recognition for his ingenuity. Even during his school years, he displayed exceptional business acumen by selling uniforms from a lorry and later managing the Government Polytechnic canteen and mess while pursuing his education. Over the years, he built strong professional associations with leading companies such as Bajaj Auto, Maini Group, and Escorts Kubota. He also briefly served as the Principal of ITI and currently contributes as an advisory board member for Janta Sahakari Bank Ltd. and D. Y. Patil Management College.

• Dr. Amit Suratkar

  "Dr. Amit Suratkar is a technologist and academic leader who bridges the precision of optical science with the rhythms of ancient ecological wisdom. With a Ph.D. in Optical Science and Engineering and a career spanning senior engineering at Intel Corporation to his current role as Head of IT at Symbiosis International University, Amit has spent two decades mastering the invisible signals that power our world. His current research explores Agnihotra not merely as a ritual, but as a ""Circadian Antenna""—a biophysical tool for aligning human biology with cosmic and solar cycles. By mapping Vedic fire science to modern AQI metrics, the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and ""Green Credit"" initiatives, Dr. Suratkar develops frameworks for ""Element Purification"" and emotional well-being. A pioneer in IT-enabled sustainability, he focuses on how tuning our internal and environmental ""antennas"" can drive transformative, affordable impact for society and the planet."

• Juhi Damodar

  "Adv. Juhi Damodar is a practicing advocate with over 25 years of experience. As Chairperson of the Child Welfare Committee, Udupi District, Karnataka, she works closely with children navigating complex realities. An author and legal researcher, with articles published in media platforms and the Jus Corpus Law Journal, her work focuses on parental alienation, child custody, and adolescent protection. She has also spoken at the ECIPH Dialogues 2024 at Yenepoya University on law and public health. Her approach is grounded in law, awareness, and empathy, shaped by meditation and her commitment to animal welfare. A recipient of the Global Women in Business and Leadership Award, 2025, she continues this work through her podcast on parental alienation (2026), amplifying voices often unheard. When a child speaks… whose voice are we really hearing?"

• Mani Kandan M S

  Mani Kandan MS is a holistic youth wellbeing specialist who works closely with young people to help them become successful in every area of life — physically, emotionally, spiritually, financially, and socially. His work is rooted in a deep understanding of the challenges today’s youth face, as well as the silent concerns parents carry while raising them. With a strong focus on self-awareness, mindset transformation, and inner growth, he empowers youngsters to navigate life’s challenges with clarity, confidence, and purpose. Students and young individuals who have been part of his programs have experienced tremendous personal transformation, including improved concentration and academic focus, greater self-awareness, enhanced emotional well-being, and healthier relationships with the people around them. His approach blends practical life wisdom with a deep understanding of human behavior, making his sessions both highly relatable and deeply impactful.