TEDxIIM Sambalpur

Speakers

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

• Aayushi Dholakia

  Aayushi Dholakia is a Miss India runner-up, sports presenter, entrepreneur, and digital creator. With a background in media and communications, she has built a unique career at the intersection of beauty, sports, and storytelling. Beginning her journey in pageantry at a young age, Aayushi went on to represent her state on the national stage and earn a top title at Femina Miss India. Instead of following the conventional path into acting or entertainment, she chose to carve her own route in sports broadcasting, covering leagues, interviewing athletes, and building a strong digital presence. Through her work, she inspires young people to embrace unconventional paths, trust their instincts, and redefine success on their own terms.

• Abhash Jha

  Abhash Chandra Jha is a digital creator and poet known for his relatable storytelling, spoken word performances, and honest reflections on everyday struggles. Through his content, he connects with young audiences by blending humor, emotion, and life lessons drawn from his personal journey.

• Anuradha Pal

  Anuradha Pal is a world-renowned tabla maestro, composer, and bandleader, widely recognized as one of the first professional female tabla players on the global stage. She has performed at prestigious venues and festivals across the world, including the iconic Woodstock Festival. Breaking barriers in a traditionally male-dominated and lineage-driven field, she founded India’s first all-female classical fusion band, creating opportunities for women musicians across the country. Through her performances, workshops, and initiatives, she has mentored and empowered hundreds of artists. Anuradha has also served as a cultural ambassador and actively supports social initiatives, including campaigns for women’s empowerment. Her journey stands as a powerful example of how dedication, discipline, and creativity can challenge long-standing illusions and redefine possibilities.

• Aruna and Anupama Ghibila

  Aruna Ghibila and Anupama Ghibila are national master athletes from Bargarh, Odisha, known for their achievements in track and field at national-level competitions. Representing the state since 2019, they have won multiple medals and have demonstrated strong discipline, resilience, and determination throughout their sporting journeys. Beyond athletics, both are teachers and active social workers, contributing to community initiatives such as health awareness programs, flood relief, sanitation drives, and blood donation camps. Their work reflects a deep commitment to social service and youth development. Through their combined roles in sports, education, and community service, the sisters inspire young people to stay physically fit, mentally strong, and determined to overcome life’s challenges.

• Bijay Nair

  Bijay Nair is an Indian Navy veteran, marathon runner, mentor, and motivational speaker. Born and raised in Mumbai in a modest household, he rose through determination and perseverance to serve as a naval officer and participate in critical operations during the Kargil conflict. After completing his service, he transitioned into civilian life, overcoming new challenges while discovering his passion for endurance running and mentorship. He has completed multiple marathons, including ultra-marathons, and actively mentors underprivileged youth preparing for careers in the armed forces. Many of his students have gone on to join the Army, Navy, and Air Force.

• Binit Kumar

  Binit Kumar is a digital storyteller and content creator focused on bringing cultural narratives to life through modern platforms. His work blends traditional Indian art forms, mythology, and contemporary digital storytelling to make heritage accessible to younger audiences. What began as a personal experiment to break free from mindless digital consumption grew into a movement that reached millions, with his cultural storytelling content gaining widespread engagement online. Through his work, he aims to transform social media from a space of passive consumption into a platform for meaningful creation and cultural preservation.

• Nikitha Umesha

  Nikitha Umesha is a chef, entrepreneur, and culinary innovator known for transforming her passion for food into a thriving professional journey. What began as curiosity in her mother’s kitchen at the age of 13 evolved into a career that challenged traditional expectations around creative professions. Despite academic success and conventional career opportunities, Nikitha chose to pursue the culinary arts, building her foundation in professional kitchens and representing India at international competitions at a young age. She later transitioned into entrepreneurship, starting her venture from her home kitchen and expanding it into multiple retail outlets within a few years. Her journey also led her to national television, where she served as a judge on MasterChef India Telugu. Through her work, Nikitha continues to inspire young people to question societal norms, trust their passions, and create their own definition of success.

• Pankti Pandey

  Pankti Pandey is a climate and circularity professional working at the intersection of sustainability, waste systems, and environmental science. Her work focuses on addressing overconsumption, promoting circular economy practices, and encouraging responsible lifestyle changes to tackle climate challenges.

• Sahla Parveen

  Transformation coach | Author

• Sweta Samota

  Sweta Samota is an author, entrepreneur, and founder of Visions Academy and the Likhega India Mission. She has helped over 10,000 individuals write, publish, and market their books while building their personal brands. Coming from a small town in Maharashtra and an orthodox family background, she broke social barriers to become the first engineer in her family and later built her own entrepreneurial journey. Her experiences with failure, fear, and reinvention led her to focus on mindset transformation and belief reprogramming. Through her work, she encourages people to challenge inherited limitations, create new visions for themselves, and design lives driven by purpose and passion.

• Vivek Sehrawat

  Vivek Sehrawat is a finance educator and public speaker who simplifies complex economic concepts for everyday audiences. His work focuses on helping people understand global financial systems, currency dynamics, and emerging trends shaping the future of money. Through his talks, he connects historical economic decisions with present-day realities, making topics like reserve currencies, financial power structures, and digital assets accessible and engaging. He is particularly interested in the evolution of money, the impact of geopolitics on finance, and the growing role of asset tokenization in reshaping ownership and investment.