Theme: Exploring New Avenues

The mini-dams in what is now known as the Bund Garden region were inaugurated in the mid-19th century, intended to serve as a source of irrigation water for the underprivileged. Soon after, in 1869, a huge waste space was transformed into a garden: for tourism, for growth, for leisure. We believe that this transformation perfectly encapsulates our theme: Exploring New Avenues. As an area that has fulfilled our fond memories and ignited our earliest imaginations, we are a team of teenagers who aspire to change the world, one avenue at a time.

Thus, we invite you to embark on a journey of discovery with TEDxBundGarden Youth as we delve into the uncharted territories of Exploring New Avenues. In a world brimming with infinite possibilities, this theme invites us to break free from the confines of convention and venture into the realms of innovation, creativity, and bold exploration. From revolutionary technologies to groundbreaking ideas, join us as we navigate through unexplored avenues, igniting curiosity, sparking inspiration, and redefining what's possible. Let's chart a course towards a future where the unknown beckons with promise, and every path leads to extraordinary discoveries.

Royal Connaught Boat Club
St Felix High School, 7/8, 4, Boat Club Rd, Bund Garden, Sangamvadi
Pocha Hall
Pune, Maharashtra, 411001
India

Ankit Kedia

Second-Generation Entrepreneur

Ankit Kedia is the Founder & Lead Investor of Capital A, a venture fund for seed to early-stage meaningful startups. The company backs startups that are solving real-world problems and have a solid vision for scale and profitability. During his entrepreneurial journey, Ankit grew to love investing in people and relationships – a value that translated into his vision for Capital A. He is a passionate angel investor, and Capital A is the formalization of this very passion into something bigger and more meaningful. He is an award-winning Indian Entrepreneur, best known as the former Promoter Director at Manjushree Technopack Limited, India’s largest rigid plastic manufacturing organization with revenues of ~$500 million.

Anub George

Writer/Director & Brand Strategist

Anub George is a Pune-based writer/director and brand strategist working in film, theater, and advertisement. He is a well-known contributor to the city’s cultural space and has staged multiple productions – Koyta, Cafe Alibaba, and Damned Silence, being among the prominent ones. He is also a film critic for the Times of India and has been associated with The Times group’s Newspaper in Education (NIE) Project since 2018. Anub specializes in 'Workplace conflict resolution & assertiveness training' and conducts corporate training sessions for tech companies such as Harman, Danfoss, Webasto, and Cummins India. An avid cinephile, Anub is the founder of Pune Film Movement, a homegrown filmmaking collective that brings the city’s voice to the world. He also chairs a Literary Society (LitSoc), a collective of young intelligentsia that holds weekly meetings to discuss the issues of society.

Arushi Rohilla

Podcast Host and Philonomics Enthusiast

Arushi Rohilla is an extroverted Economics student with a passion for ethics and public speaking. She is an ardent admirer of classic literature, theater, and Violin - making her someone who values history and culture. She holds a strong interest in classical economic theories and believes in their validity till date. Her interests in Business and Society originate from her exposure to different aspects of business. With experiences in Cryptocurrency, Investment Banking, and Marketing and as a two-time TEDx speaker, she aspires to promote the ideals of ethical business activities and believes that all businesses should exist with a purpose.

Devika Hardikar

Writer & General Manager

Devika is a vibrant and spirited Grade 11 student who spent most of her life growing up in Malaysia as a third-culture kid. It was there that she got to experience diverse cultures firsthand and harness a deeper understanding of what it means to navigate the complexities of identity and belonging. She's passionate about writing about social issues and is a student leader at her school with the Tribes for Good program. Aside from placing in the top 50 out of 15,000 in the #Kalakar writing competitions, she also writes for the student-led magazine RAYS and is the General Manager for IKKIS: The Podcast. Through her talk, she wants to educate those around her about the complexities of identity and the importance of understanding what it means to be a third-culture kid.

Diya Rudra

Podcast Host

Diya Rudra is currently a Year 11 student at The British School, New Delhi, with a penchant for creative activities. An avid reader, writer, and music aficionado, she is the founder of and podcast host at Expression Impressions, a project aiming to raise awareness of the utility of the arts in maintaining positive mental health. Being the editor-in-chief of her school’s Arts Newsletter and a member of the editorial team of the school magazine, she’s captivated by the idea of viewing subjects from a variety of perspectives. Diya’s talk dives deep into the tortured artist stereotype - the threat it poses to artists of upcoming generations, the misconstrued notion that all great works of art stem from suffering and “absent” creators, and presents the arts as a powerful tool and relevant avenue at the intersection of mental health and expression.

Dr. Saarthak Bakshi

Doctor and Healthcare Entrepreneur - Risaa IVF

Dr. Bakshi is a visionary entrepreneur and stalwart in the field of healthcare and innovation. With a diverse educational background encompassing B.Tech, MBA, and a Ph.D., Dr. Bakshi stands at the helm of RISAA IVF as its Founder and CEO, revolutionizing reproductive healthcare across multiple locations in India and Nepal. Beyond his groundbreaking work at RISAA IVF, Dr. Bakshi is a serial entrepreneur with a penchant for fostering innovation and societal change. He is the driving force behind ventures like the International Institute of Reproduction and Fertility Training, Upkaar Women Welfare Trust, and HealthPod Incubator & Accelerator, all aimed at empowering individuals and advancing healthcare solutions. Dr. Bakshi's leadership extends far and wide, holding key positions in prestigious organizations such as AIMA YLC, CRM Academy of Asia, and CII Young Indians. As a seasoned angel investor and board director, he nurtures budding startups and guides them towards success.

Dr. Swati Popat Vats

Educator and President - Early Childhood Association

Dr. Vats is a globally awarded early years leader and serves as the founder President of the Early Childhood Association India and the Association for Preparatory Education and Research. As President of the Podar Education Network, she leads over 490 preschools and daycares in India, UAE, and Qatar. She is also a consultant, advisor, and series editor for the Cambridge International Early Years program. In her career spanning over 35 years, Swati has authored more than 35 books for parents, teachers, and children, including traditional rhymes and fairy tales that she has adapted to be more suitable for today’s child. Her most recent works include two books on Coding for Children and books on educators like Gijubhai, Froebel, and Vygotsky. Dr. Vats has coined the term ‘Kiducation’ for early childhood teachers and parents to help them understand that young children need education from the point of view of their development.

Harshita Arora

Project Manager & YouTuber

Ms. Arora, a seasoned project manager with over 10 years of experience, is dedicated to driving project success across diverse industries. Her expertise in navigating dynamic environments and collaborating with stakeholders is unparalleled. Not only is she a project management expert, but she also served as the President of Toastmasters International from January to June 2022 and Area Director in the 2022-2023 term. Her outstanding leadership has earned her prestigious awards. Outside her professional endeavors, Harshita is an avid reader, yoga practitioner, and YouTuber. Her channel documents her journey of overcoming the fear of public speaking and now covers a wide range of topics, reflecting her diverse interests and experiences. In her segment, she will be talking about unleashing success through the chemistry of change; one principle at a time.

Ipshita Goel

Founder & Editor-in-Chief - RAYS Magazine

Ms. Ipshita Goel is a 16-year-old high school junior with a myriad of interests. Being a young aspiring psychologist, she is the founder and editor-in-chief of RAYS Magazine, a project that aims to destigmatize the discussion of mental health. She’s also a state-level basketball player and extremely passionate about music and the arts. The thread that ties all of her work together is her love for people, which is why she seizes every opportunity to hear people’s stories as well as share her own.

Kirti Advani

Dancer and Founder - Dancing Curve

Coming from an Army background with zero knowledge of business, Kirti stumbled upon the dance industry as her career choice. Like any other confused young adult, she decided to pursue her MBA. After completing her MBA, she chose to follow her childhood passion for dance and started her dance institute called Dancing Curve, which has now become a household name for many. Since then, there has been no looking back.Starting from a single dance class to multiple branches across Pune, Dancing Curve has evolved into one of the few structured dance schools in the country. Over the years, they have progressed significantly, focusing on learning and development (L&D), and have established over five studios across Pune, along with a team of passionate dance teachers. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dancing Curve seized the opportunity to tap into global markets and include international students as well.

Saakshar Duggal

Cyber & AI Law Expert

Mr. Saakshar Duggal is one of India's leading youth voices on the legalities of Emerging Technologies like Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, etc. He is a six-time TEDx speaker and has been a guest speaker at prominent organizations such as the United Nations main office (UN), Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), and National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM). He is dedicated to promoting awareness of legal issues in cyberspace and upcoming technologies like Artificial Intelligence. His goal is to make India Cyber Resilient. His talk, titled “Artificial Intelligence: A Ray of Hope for our Future Generations,” aims to dispel the dystopian narratives constructed around the advent of AI and instead focuses on its benefits.

Srujan Kutte

Playwright & Flutist

Srujan's name means “Creation.” He's diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and calls it the bane of his existence, but also sometimes a superpower, which is the main focus of his talk, highlighting his challenges and how he overcomes them. He has always been creative, from writing and directing an elaborate musical play titled Raga the Musical to founding and working in various clubs and associations like Alexithymia Studios, the Elpro Music Club, Health Elevate Youth, and D&RSP. Performing at concerts, Open Mics, and TEDx events and writing several articles in addition to being an author, he always has something new and innovative to give to the world. A far-too-lively and spirited 12th grader, aspiring to be a medical student, he's a poet and a romantic at heart. He's an unstoppable book lover and a bard with both music and jokes to share, tales to tell. He finds solace in Biology and the study of everything living, his interests diverse and uncontainable.