TEDxHyderabad

Speakers

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

• Dr Sivaranjani Santosh

  Paediatrician

  Dr. Sivaranjani Santosh is a visionary pediatrician committed to empowering citizens with essential medical knowledge. With a mission to train Indians in First Aid and CPR, she has trained over 20,000 individuals across diverse communities. A strong advocate for maternal and infant health, she authored Baby and Child Care and has supported over 14,000 mothers in breastfeeding, promoting early initiation practices. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she used social media to counter misinformation, helping prevent the misuse of antibiotics and unnecessary diagnostics. Her public health advocacy led to a landmark FSSAI order banning the misleading use of the “ORS” label on sugary drinks. Her impactful work has been widely featured in national media. She has received several accolades, including the TOI Visionary Award, and was nominated for the Padma Award in 2023 by the Andhra Pradesh Government.

• Dr Somaraju Bhupathiraju

  Low Cost Stent Inventor

  Dr. B. Somaraju is a distinguished cardiologist whose work has been guided by the belief that advanced cardiac care should be accessible to all, not just a privileged few. Over decades, he has built institutions, treated thousands of patients, and mentored generations of doctors committed to this mission. A defining milestone in his journey was the development of the Kalam-Raju stent in collaboration with A. P. J. Abdul Kalam—an indigenous, affordable innovation that transformed access to life-saving cardiac care. Beyond medical advancements, Dr. Somaraju emphasizes empathy as the foundation of healing, believing that true care lies in restoring hope, listening deeply, and honouring every heartbeat with compassion and dignity.

• Dr. Subrahmanyam M

  Founding Trustee of Sparsh Hospice

  Dr. M. Subrahmanyam is a pioneering anaesthesiologist and Founding Trustee of Sparsh Hospice, and Head of Anaesthesia at Rainbow Hospitals Group. Trained at Osmania Medical College, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, and in the UK (FRCA), he also served as visiting faculty at the University of Michigan before returning to India in 2000. As Founding Director of Axon Anaesthesia Associates, he built India’s largest anaesthesia group practice and pioneered advancements like liver transplant anaesthesia and painless labour. Through Sparsh Hospice, he has enabled dignified, free end-of-life care for over 15,000 patients. He received the Service Above Self Award from Rotary International in 2025 and continues to shape healthcare with plans for a charitable women’s cancer hospital.

• Dr. Suravi Sharma

  Pathologist | Healthcare Strategy Leader | Author & Columnist

  Dr. Suravi Sharma Kumar is a dynamic healthcare leader with over two decades of experience spanning clinical medicine, corporate strategy, and public discourse. Her multidisciplinary training includes MBBS, MD in Pathology, an MBA, and an MFA in Creative Writing. She has held key leadership roles, including General Manager (Transformation) at Moolchand Medcity and Healthcare Domain Consultant at TCS, and is the founder of Skylab Diagnostic Services, an NABL-accredited lab in Delhi NCR. Currently an Advisor to Thermo Fisher Scientific and a CII panel member, she is also a columnist, author, and moderator. Dr. Suravi is known for translating complex medical insights into compelling, accessible narratives that bridge science and society.

• Hemakshi Meghani

  Entrepreneur and Systems Change Practitioner

  Hemakshi is an entrepreneur and systems change practitioner driven by a question: how do we build a society that is as principled as it is equitable? She is the co-founder of the Indian School of Democracy (ISD), an organization dedicated to nurturing principled political leaders. She led ISD from its inception in 2018 until 2024. Her journey spans Harvard Kennedy School and Stanford University to the classrooms of Teach For India and remote corners of India. A Dalai Lama Fellow and Echoing Green Global Fellow, Hemakshi blends policy expertise with a deep commitment to inner work, believing that systemic change starts with individual transformation. She is at her most alive when nurturing communities of women who challenge the status quo. A lifelong student of both systemic and personal leadership, Hemakshi finds her purpose in the inner and outer journeys that lead us toward a more just and authentic society

• Krishna Sastry Pendyala

  Partner, Cyber Security at Ernst & Young

  "Mr. Krishna Sastry is a leading cybersecurity strategist with over 30 years of experience across government and corporate sectors. He recently retired as a Partner in Cyber Security at EY India, having previously served as Executive Director at PwC and Global Head of Digital Forensics at TCS. This follows a distinguished 23-year career as a Forensic Scientist with the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. An expert in cyber strategy, risk, and compliance, Sastry has trained law enforcement from 95+ countries via INTERPOL. He currently serves on the critical cybersecurity committees for the RBI and SEBI, and is a nominated member of the INTERPOL Global Cyber Crime Expert Committee representing India's CBI. Awarded the 2004 Union Home Minister Award for Meritorious Service, Sastry holds an M.Tech from IIT Varanasi and a PGP from IIM Bangalore. He possesses elite global certifications from ISACA and the FBI, and is a prolific speaker and author in digital forensics."

• Pavan Goyal

  Founder BlueBlocks Montessori

  Pavan Goyal, founder of Blue Blocks Montessori, is a global pioneer in 0–18 developmental architecture. As the first educator worldwide to hold all four AMI Montessori Diplomas (0–18), he actively shapes the field as a Trustee of the Indian Montessori Foundation. Pavan has guided over 40,000 parents through his extensive workshops and his foundational early childhood book, Lining the Nest. A prominent international speaker, he has presented his pedagogical research at the 2023 AMI Thailand Conference, as well as prestigious global forums in Oslo, including UNESCO and the Nobel Peace Center. Pavan’s innovative approach bridges foundational education with advanced engineering; he notably led the team that launched the world's first student-designed satellite into space. By translating Montessori's sensorial precision into stratospheric aerospace achievements, Pavan continues to redefine the limitless potential of human development.

• Rajiv Chilaka

  Founder and CEO of Green Gold Animation

  Rajiv Chilaka is the Founder and CEO of Green Gold Animation Pvt. Ltd. An alumnus of the Academy of Art, San Francisco, he established Green Gold in 2004 to build a world-class studio. Braving a nascent industry, Rajiv created India’s most iconic animated character, Chhota Bheem. Today, he leads over 1,000 artists who have produced 12+ shows, 1,000+ episodes, 100+ TV movies, and 6 feature films. Green Gold reaches over 100 million children across 190 countries and licenses India’s largest children’s IP. A key milestone under his leadership is the creation of Mighty Little Bheem, India’s first Netflix original animated series, which achieved massive global acclaim. Driven by a profound love for storytelling, Rajiv has recently expanded the company's horizons. Green Gold is now venturing into live-action production with upcoming Tollywood and Bollywood films, and launched a successful VFX division in 2021 that has already contributed to numerous major pan-India cinematic projects

• Rajni Bakshi

  Author and the Founder of Ahimsa Conversations

  Rajni Bakshi is a Mumbai-based author, speaker, and the founder of Ahimsa Conversations, a YouTube platform exploring nonviolence. She has authored several notable books, including the Vodafone-Crossword Award-winning Bazaars, Conversations and Freedom and Bapu Kuti, which famously inspired the Hindi film Swades. Her extensive writings also feature monographs on new economics, well-being, and Gandhian philosophy. A respected thought leader, Rajni served on the Executive Committee of the Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti (2013–2022) and as the Gandhi Peace Fellow at Gateway House. She was awarded the prestigious Homi Bhabha Fellowship in 2000. Dedicated to civil rights and education, she serves on the boards of Child Rights and You (CRY) and the Centre of Education and Documentation, and is a life member of PUCL. Rajni holds a BA from George Washington University and an MA in Philosophy from the University of Rajasthan.

• Ritesh Tiwari

  Karate Coach and Social Worker

  Ritesh Tiwari is a 5th Dan Black Belt, International Karate player, referee. and a social worker from Timarni, Madhya Pradesh. A doer at heart, who faced extreme bullying in childhood and a keen observer of the social subjugation and violence faced by women of his community, he co-founded Tinka Samajik Sanstha to empower girls and rural youth through sports, enabling them to pursue higher education, be self-reliant and earn livelihoods. He received the TEACHERS INNOVATION AWARD 2019, the INDIA BOOK OF RECORD for teaching 45267 students Karate for free and the National Martial Art Award 2022.

• Shezzi M

  Content Strategist

  A Chartered accountant & Company Secretary by qualification, Shezzi M is regarded as one of the most uplifting voices in Hyderabad, where she hosted the breakfast show on 95 Mirchi for eight years. She's an e-RYT 500 certified yoga teacher with additional certifications in Yin Yoga and Prenatal Yoga. She's been practising yoga for over two decades. She founded ShezziCo Pvt. Ltd., a boutique firm specialising in content strategy, video production, and audio storytelling. The Shezzi M Show is the flagship in-house production, bringing together her broadcast experience and long-form storytelling approach, highlighting the vagaries of 21st-century living and how to hack them. She is passionate about movement, mental health, women's health and education.

• Srikanth Badiga

  Group Director of Phoenix Group

  Badiga Srikanth is Group Director of Phoenix Group, one of India’s leading infrastructure and SEZ developers, where he has played a key role since its inception in 2002. He was instrumental in building Phoenix into one of the country’s largest IT/ITES SEZ developers. He serves as Regional Director (Asia) at the World Free Zones Organization and Chairman of Export Promotion Council for EOUs and SEZs under the Government of India. He has contributed extensively to SEZ policy, including as a member of the Baba Kalyani Committee. A former Chairman of the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce (AP & Telangana) and a leader within ASSOCHAM, he actively shapes trade and industry dialogue. He is also engaged in CSR initiatives through the Phoenix Foundation.

• Uday Krishna

  Founder of Vata Foundation

  Uday Krishna is an environmental storyteller, conservation advocate, and founder of the Vata Foundation, dedicated to protecting India’s natural heritage through community-driven action. Deeply connected to the wilderness, he advances conservation through wildlife photography, jungle rejuvenation, and immersive storytelling. He leads the Big Tree Quest, a unique initiative documenting India’s oldest and largest trees, highlighting their ecological and historical significance to protect these vanishing giants. Traveling across remote landscapes, he documents biodiversity and promotes grassroots conservation. Believing that emotional connection drives preservation, Uday uses compelling visual narratives to spark awareness. Through impactful campaigns and heritage tree recognition efforts, he inspires a new generation to reconnect with nature as essential to human survival.

• Uttam Kumar

  Senior Development Leader

  "Uttam Kumar is a senior development leader with over two decades of experience championing inclusive social change, specifically focusing on disability inclusion and the rights of persons with deafblindness and multiple disabilities. As the Chief Executive Officer of Sense International (India), he provides strategic leadership for multi-country programmes across India, Bangladesh, and Nepal, guiding the organisation’s long-term vision and sustainable growth. Under his leadership, the organisation has significantly expanded its impact through robust partnerships with governments, civil society, and global development partners. Uttam excels in managing complex programme portfolios, building high-performing teams, and mobilising resources from international donors. Beyond programme management, Uttam actively shapes policy dialogue and inclusive development practices across South Asia by contributing to vital journal articles, publications, and knowledge resources on deafblindness."