TEDxSNS Youth

Speakers

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

• Ananya Sahijwani

  Student, Shiv Nadar School, Gurugram

  Ananya Sahijwani is a Grade XII student, youth leader, and founder of Project Paws, a student-led animal welfare initiative committed to improving the lives of stray and abandoned animals. What began as a simple act of caring for the stray dogs in her neighbourhood has grown into a community-driven movement that has raised over ₹18,000 for vaccinations, food, and essential care while building a network of more than 2,000 supporters. Through rescue efforts, fundraising campaigns, food drives, and adoption initiatives, Ananya is creating meaningful change for animals in need. Her contribution to society lies in inspiring young people to lead with compassion, demonstrating that empathy, collective action, and determination can transform even the smallest acts of kindness into lasting impact.

• Arnav Goel

  Student, Shiv Nadar School, Gurugram

  Arnav Goel is a thoughtful AI practitioner and a high school student, who critically examines how artificial intelligence is shaping modern life. He argues that AI, when used without reflection, risks creating an “average” version of the human being—flattening individuality, creativity, and deep thinking. In his work and public ideas, Arnav blends technical understanding with social concern, urging people to use AI as a tool for empowerment rather than conformity. His contribution lies in pushing youth to stay curious, intentional, and uniquely themselves.

• Gurseerat Kaur

  Special Educator & Content Creator

  Gurseerat Kaur is an RCI-certified special educator, Indian Sign Language (ISL) educator, disability advocate, and digital content creator dedicated to making communication more accessible and inclusive. Widely recognized as @the.deafie.chick, she has built a community of over 50,000 followers by using storytelling, education, and advocacy to raise awareness about hearing loss and challenge misconceptions surrounding disability. Through her ISL workshops, educational initiatives, and digital outreach, she empowers individuals to embrace inclusive communication and bridge the gap between the hearing and Deaf communities. Gurseerat's contribution to society lies in breaking communication barriers, promoting accessibility, and inspiring a more inclusive world where every voice is understood.

• Kajal Srivastava

  Kalaripayattu Artist & Martial Arts Trainer

  Kajal Srivastav is a Kalaripayattu martial artist and the founder of the TAVASI Movement, a social initiative rooted in courage, healing, and Indian cultural heritage. Through TAVASI, she uses the ancient martial art of Kalaripayattu as a tool for emotional, physical, and spiritual empowerment, especially for youth and women facing stress, self‑doubt, and social pressure. Her contribution to society includes conserving a traditional art form, conducting workshops for thousands of people, and promoting sustainable, Indian-made activewear through Swadesi Sportswear, linking wellbeing with eco-conscious lifestyles.

• Palak Modi

  Artist & Alumni, Shiv Nadar School, Gurugram

  Palak Modi is a contemporary abstract artist whose multidisciplinary practice explores themes of fragility, resilience, and the complexities of the human experience. A psychology graduate from the University of Delhi, her artistic journey was profoundly shaped by a life-altering road accident, inspiring works that transform personal adversity into powerful visual narratives of renewal and hope. Her work has been exhibited internationally, including at the International Contemporary Art Fair, Madrid, and has earned recognition through prestigious exhibitions, awards, and international art publications. Through her deeply evocative creations, Palak encourages introspection, celebrates the resilience of the human spirit, and reminds audiences that beauty can emerge from life's greatest challenges.

• Robin Behl

  Athlete & Fastest Indian on Antarctic

  Robin Behl is the co-founder of The Tribe India, a fitness community that focuses on transforming lives through movement, mindset, and discipline. He is a movement and martial arts coach, trained at the Shaolin Temple in China, in Muay Thai in Thailand, and in Brazilian jiu‑jitsu, and has also trekked to Everest Base Camp and summited Mount Manaslu. His personality blends adventure, curiosity, and mental toughness with a very grounded, empathetic coaching style. Through The Tribe, Robin helps people build physical freedom, emotional resilience, and long‑term holistic wellness, especially for young urban Indians seeking sustainable, community‑based fitness.

• Sandy Khanda

  Climate Activist & Farmer

  Sandy Khanda is a youth social activist and founder of the Green Pencil Foundation, a non-profit working on menstrual hygiene, climate action, and education for marginalised communities. His personality reflects resilience, empathy, and strong grassroots leadership, shaped by growing up in rural Haryana and overcoming serious personal challenges. Through campaigns like “Periods of Pride,” “One Home, One Tree,” and climate and sustainable practices workshops, he has impacted thousands of students and families across multiple Indian states, promoting gender equality, health, and eco-conscious living

• Shruti Taneja

  Food Archivist & Founder, Nivaala

  Shruti Taneja is a Food Archivist & the driving force behind the Nivaala Initiative. She has built India's first platform dedicated entirely to food heritage preservation. Nivaala is built on a simple belief: that heritage can be preserved... that the technology exists, the will exists, and that families, given the right tools, will save their own food heritage. Today, the platform has worked with over 2,000 families and documented recipes from 100+ villages across India. Her work has received international recognition, including a Gourmand World Cookbook Award, and has been featured in The Hindu and The Times of India.

• Yashoda Shenoy

  Archaeology Student & Librarian

  Yashoda Shenoy is a quietly determined young librarian and a sophomore student of Archaeology. Her love for books blossomed in the third grade. Energetic and community-minded, she started a free home library at the age of 12, in Mattancherry - her home town in Kerala with her brother, housing over 8,500 donated books and serving 600+ subscribers. Practical and compassionate, she started the library so money wouldn’t bar anyone from reading. Her initiative draws neighbors, teachers, and children, turning children’s tales into resources for all ages. Yashoda blends curiosity, service, and steady leadership to broaden readers’ horizons in her neighborhood.