Theme: Beyond The Paradigms

My event focusses on dreaming without boundaries and thinking in a way in which general people cannot. It basically focusses on being different and innovative.

Navrangpura
St Xaviers College
Ahmedabad, Gujarat, 380009
India

Abha Mehra

Student and writer

Abha is an English Literature student of St. Xavier's College, Ahmedabad. She writes for Youth Connect, an online magazine for today's youth. She has an inevitable bent towards writing about relationships, feminism and social issues. She has an eccentric poetess residing within her, but poetry is more of her personal endeavor. Abha does not understand the concept of taboos and deviancy. She aspires to be a feature's writer someday and open up her own media house solely for commoners if fate co operates. According to her saying that she wishes to change a bit of people's midset would seem surreal, but then maybe dreaming it would lead to a change in reality.

Ameen Haque

Actor and Storyteller

Ameen has led a double life in Advertising and Theater. A trained actor and storyteller, he has attended an Intensive course in Storytelling and passionately believes in the power of stories to change the world. He is using the power of stories to bring about a change in Education, to train teachers, work with special children and also train leaders from the world of business in the art of Storytelling. Drawing upon his experience from theater, work with special children and advertising, his workshops and training programs are ideal for those who want to become better storytellers. As a performer and storyteller he uses music (harmonica), masks, picture cards and songs to bring alive his characters and stories. Comfortable with Hindi, English and Gujarati, Ameen also writes and tells original stories in the form of poetry. When not conducting workshops, he can be found spreading the magic of stories at schools, bookstores or an orphanage.

Janki Vasant

Social Worker

Samvedana is a nonprofit organization, actively operational in the city of Ahmedabad, striving for integrated development of slums with a focus on children's education and health. Samvedana has been founded by Janki Vasant, the daughter of late Shri Hariprasad Vyas, Chairman of NIILPA, Ahmedabad and an eminent social worker and late Smt. Kokilaben Vyas, former Health Minister of Gujarat. 'Samvedana' is a Gujarati and Hindi word meaning “compassion.” The foundation strives to support social growth of the underprivileged in slums by providing educational opportunities while supplementing their growth and development through welfare programmes, outdoor activities and workshops. Samvedana is committed to value add children's schooling through compassion and proactive interventions.

Madhu Menon

Educator and Communicator

MadhuMenon is an educator and communicator specialising in the fields of development and environment. He produces educational and motivational video programmes for a number of developmental agencies. He had worked with prestigious institutions like National Institute of Design (NID), Educational Media Research Centre (EMRC) and Developmental & Educational Communication Unit of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). He is Managing Trustee of Ahmedabad Nature Lovers’ Association (ANALA) and directs the prestigious educational programmeAnubhav. Madhu has been recognized by the United Nations’ Universal Peace Foundation as their Ambassador for Peace. He was also awarded by CMS Vatavaran, New Delhi for his environmental concerns and endeavours in 2011 at National Institute of Design. He was honoured as part of the Best Audience Award in the 2nd Waga Brothers’ International Nature Film Festival - 2002 held in Poland for the film “Natural Heritage of Gujarat”.

Preeti Das

Stand up comedian

Born to a Tamilian mom and a Bengali father, Preeti Das is the only lady stand-up comedian from Gujarat. The fiery lady makes sure that her scripts are loaded with stuff that will tantalize your grey cells. An ex- television journalist, Preeti is a motor mouth who churns out punchy scripts which are a concoction of politics, sex, ethnicity, food and things that affect her life. Her dream in life is to do an item number in a Tamil movie. This almost full time mother manages to teach part time at various colleges in Gujarat. She is a post graduate in Television and Culture studies from Manipal. Preeti is a whirlwind of energy that promises to capture your attention and imagination.

Ritu Vasu Primlani

Stand up comedian , Environmentalist and Triathelete

A comedian and an environmentalist who teaches sustainability at Xavier Institute of Management, Bhubaneswar,she also teaches rock climbing, is a triathlete, is a ballerina and has danced with the Bolshoi. Primlani received a Masters degree from UCLA in Geography, Urban Planning and Law. She also has been a ted speaker in the past.

Sandeep Bacche

Rikshaw driver and Philanthropist

Meet SandeepBacche, whose rickshaw boasts free Wi-Fi, a payphone, weather and STOCK MARKET updates, and a whole lot of generosity. He is the biggest philanthropist of India. He has newspapers and magazines in his rickshaw as well as a first aid kit. He has been presented with various awards by the Mumbai Government and people.

Sanket Kalyani

C.A.

Sanket Kalyani personifies sheer dedication and hope.Even after being affected by Arthritis at a young age, he is now a CA and he sets an example for hundreds of people. He now has people working under him.