TEDxGCEK

Speakers

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

• Aditi Dhigare

  Lieutenant, Indian Navy

  Lt Aditi Dhigare is an officer in the Indian Navy. She completed her Bachelor of Technology from Government College of Engineering, Karad in 2023. After graduating, she briefly worked with T-Systems India in Pune before deciding to pursue a career in the armed forces. She was recommended for the Short Service Commission (SSC Tech) entry in October 2023 and joined the Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala, Kerala in March 2024 for officer training. During her training and early service, she has been exposed to different naval establishments including Kochi, Lonavala, Mumbai, Gujarat, and onboard ships. She is currently serving in Karwar, Karnataka. Her journey from engineering to the armed forces reflects a career shift from the corporate sector to defence service at a young age. Through her experiences, she shares insights about discipline, training, and life in the Navy.

• Atharva Patil

  Entrepreneur

  Atharva Patil is a young entrepreneur and startup enthusiast from Karad. He is the Founder & CEO of Hope Infracon, a venture working on innovative prefabricated technologies for affordable and sustainable infrastructure. He is also associated with Ravikiran Nets as Partner and CHRO. Alongside his entrepreneurial journey, he actively contributes to youth leadership and community initiatives and currently serves as the Vice President of the Rotaract Club of Karad City. Passionate about innovation, education, and entrepreneurship, he frequently mentors aspiring entrepreneurs and believes in empowering young minds to create meaningful impact.

• Diksha Dinde

  Disability Justice Advocate | Founder of EquiBridge Foundation

  Chevening Scholar with a master's from the Institute of Development Studies, Have 8 years of expertise in driving social change, designing training modules, and leading advocacy campaigns in the education and disability rights sectors. Excel at facilitation, project design and management, committed to empowering marginalized communities, particularly people with disabilities, students and women, striving for their sustainable development.

• Parashram Akhare

  Founder – Krushi Sarathi | Agritech | Entrepreneur | Rural Policy Innovator

  Parashram Kailas Akhare is an agritech entrepreneur, rural policy innovator, and Young Professional Fellow at the Department of Skill, Employment, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Government of Maharashtra. An electrical engineer shaped at IIT Bombay, he is the founder of Krushi Sarathi — a movement empowering over 30,000 farmers across Vidarbha, Marathwada, and Khandesh. What began during the 2020 lockdown has grown into a ₹5-crore impact-driven enterprise providing market access, soil testing, doorstep agri-inputs, and digital guidance. Recognized by the Maharashtra State Innovation Society, he is redefining agriculture as sustainable, profitable, and dignified.

• Shivam Magdum

  Professional Dancer | Choreographer | Cultural Performer

  Dynamic and dedicated Dancer, Choreographer, and Cultural Performer with 13 years of professional experience in the performing arts industry. Actively associated with Government cultural programs and recognized for representing Maharashtra at national and international platforms. Passionate about mentoring youth and transforming artistic passion into professional success EXPERIENCE & ACHIEVEMENTS • 13 Years of Professional Experience in Dance & Choreography • Performer in Maharashtra Government Cultural Programs • Republic Day Path Chitra Rath Rally Performer (26 January Representation) • International Cultural Performer – Indian Mela, Kobe, Japan • Gold Medalist – 2026 (Cultural Performance Category) • Founder – Cultural Exchange Initiative promoting traditional arts

• Siddhartha Mishra

  Corporate Vice President

  Siddhartha Mishra is a Corporate Vice President at Persistent Systems with over 25 years of experience navigating the ever-shifting landscape of global technology. Heading the Global P&L for Customer Experience & Cloud CRM business, he has built his career across multiple continents, witnessing firsthand the seismic shifts that have repeatedly redefined the IT industry from the telecom revolution and the rise of enterprise applications like Siebel, to the SaaS and cloud era led by Salesforce, and now the rise of AI challenging the very foundations of the SaaS world. A gold medalist in leadership and delivery, he leads a global team of over 2,500 consultants across diverse industry verticals. As a strategic partner to leading SaaS players, Siddhartha is deeply committed to building innovative, AI-enabled solutions and nurturing the next generation of technology talent.

• Snehal Wankhede

  Solo Traveler | Storyteller | Photographer

  Since 2013, Snehal Wankhede, a dedicated lone traveller and Senior Manager of Marketing at Bank of India, has been travelling India. Her journey began on a TVS Wego and later continued on a Bajaj Avenger, through which she has travelled thousands of kilometers across the country. Through her rides to remote villages, tribal regions, and culturally rich landscapes, she developed a deep interest in documenting people, traditions, and communities living in harmony with nature. Her work has been featured in platforms such as The Hindu, Times of India, Maharashtra Times, Lokmat, and Good Housekeeping Magazine, along with digital platforms like The Better India and ScoopWhoop Unscripted. Snehal is also a recipient of the Dr. Shankarraoji Chavhan Gururatna Puruskar and Youth Inspirator Award, and she continues to inspire people through her journeys, storytelling, and photography that celebrate the diverse culture of India.