Past TEDx event
TEDxAhalia Public School Youth
RIPPLES
Speakers
Speakers may not be confirmed. Check the event website for the latest lineup.
Ankit Puthukudi
Ankit Puthukudi is a student leader, public speaker, and TEDx organizer passionate about the power of ideas and communication. As the Lead Organizer of TEDxTWSI Youth, the first officially licensed TEDxYouth event in Kozhikode, and President of Gavels Club of Kochi (2025-26), he has actively championed leadership and youth engagement. A national and state-level public speaking champion, Ankit believes that meaningful communication can inspire change, build communities, and empower the next generation of leaders. Through his work, he strives to create platforms where ideas spark conversations and conversations create impact.
Arunima Jayan A
Ms. Arunima Jayan A is a dynamic young professional from Palakkad who seamlessly blends technology, creativity, and purpose. A Software Engineer at SOTI, she holds a B.Tech in Electronics and Communication Engineering from Mar Athanasius College of Engineering. Arunima rose to statewide recognition as the winner of Miss Kerala 2025, standing out among over a thousand contestants. Alongside her tech career, she has built a strong presence in the modelling and media industry, collaborating with leading brands and featuring on prominent magazine covers, television commercials, and music videos. A recipient of multiple accolades including the JCI and Rotary Youth Icon Awards, Arunima also uses her voice to champion women’s empowerment. Passionate about financial independence, she inspires young women to take charge of their futures with confidence and courage.
Dr. Ajesh M Pillai
Dr. Ajesh Pillai is an experienced Ayurveda practitioner with over 20 years of clinical expertise in holistic healing and wellness. A graduate of Government Ayurveda College, Tripunithura, he completed his schooling at St. Joseph’s, Mumbai. Over the years, he has treated patients from across India, earning recognition for his patient-centred approach and deep understanding of traditional Ayurvedic practices. Dr. Pillai specialises in the management of arthritis, lumbar pain, and cervical pain, combining classical Ayurvedic wisdom with practical therapeutic care to improve quality of life and long-term well-being.
Dr. Chaitanya Sridhar
Dr. Chaitanya Sridhar is an award-winning sports and trans-species psychologist with over two decades of experience mentoring elite athletes, including Olympic medallists. A true trailblazer, she made history as the first woman sports psychologist in the Indian Premier League (IPL) with Royal Challengers Bangalore and co-developed India’s first online sports science course with IIT Madras. She is also the founder of AANE (All About the Nature of Elephants), leading impactful work in elephant conservation and rehabilitation while uniquely bridging human and animal psychology. An author of Elephant Wings to Freedom and Minds in Motion, her work celebrates resilience, well-being, and the powerful connections between species, backed by her PhD in psychology and training in Jungian analytical psychology.
Dr. Haridasan K
Dr. K. Haridasan is a distinguished botanist, researcher, and conservationist with decades of experience in the study of India’s rich plant diversity. A Ph.D. holder from North Eastern Hill University, Shillong, he is widely recognised for his pioneering work on the forest flora of Northeast India. He has served as a Scientist with the Forest Department of Arunachal Pradesh and played a key role in establishing the State Forest Research Institute in the region. With over 80 research papers and several books to his credit, Dr. Haridasan has made significant contributions to the conservation and sustainable use of medicinal plants, notably during his tenure at FRLHT, Bengaluru, where he also served as Director. Currently a Consultant (Bio Resources) at Ahalia Foundation, Palakkad, he leads the innovative “Green Ahalia” initiative, creating thematic gardens that promote biodiversity, conservation, and environmental awareness.
Dr. Krishna Kumar Kishor
**Dr. Krishna Kumar Kishor** is an educator, researcher, and academic leader with a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from the prestigious University of Toronto. As Executive Director of Ahalia Group, Vice Principal, and Associate Professor at Ahalia School of Engineering and Technology, he is dedicated to advancing innovation and academic excellence. A Senior Member of IEEE, Dr. Kishor has published extensively in international journals and conferences while mentoring award-winning student projects. Passionate about learning and leadership, he inspires young minds to think creatively, embrace challenges, and transform ideas into meaningful impact. At **TEDxAhaliaPublicSchoolYouth**, he shares insights on innovation, curiosity, and the future of education.
Dr. Sriganesh Sankaranarayanan
Dr. Sriganesh Sankaranarayanan is an orthopaedic surgeon and Head of the Departments of Orthopaedics and Podiatry at Ahalia Diabetes Hospital, where he works to restore mobility, function, and dignity through trauma care, reconstructive procedures, joint replacement, sports injury management, spine surgery, and diabetic limb salvage. Beyond medicine, he is a passionate astronomer, astrophotographer, and science educator who actively conducts outreach sessions for students in exploring the night sky and asking larger questions about humanity’s place in the universe. He has also developed AI-assisted tools and software prototypes for personal knowledge management and education, driven by a deep interest in how technology shapes human thought and behaviour.
Jerom Joy James
Jerome Joy James is a Plus Two student whose journey has been shaped by an endless curiosity about people, ideas, and the way we learn. As a student, he became fascinated by the fact that no two minds think alike, leading him to question traditional notions of intelligence and success. Observing the diverse talents and learning styles of those around him inspired a deeper appreciation for individuality and untapped potential. These experiences sparked his passion for exploring the human mind and the limitless possibilities that emerge when people are encouraged to think differently. Through his TEDx journey, Jerome hopes to inspire others to embrace curiosity, challenge limitations, and discover new ways of seeing themselves and the world around them.
Miss Sangamithra Gopal Vazhoor
Sangamithra is a thoughtful and creative Class X student who believes in the power of self-expression, empathy, and meaningful human connection. Passionate about painting, poetry, and writing, she uses art and words to explore ideas, understand people, and inspire positive change. A defining chapter of her journey was her move from the UAE to India, an experience that broadened her perspective through exposure to diverse cultures, traditions, and communities. This transition helped her recognize the importance of authentic relationships and the value of embracing differences with compassion and understanding. Through her honesty, creativity, and conviction, she hopes to inspire others to embrace their individuality, speak up for what matters, and create ripples of positive change.
