In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized (subject to certain rules and regulations).

Marriott Jaipur
Ashram Marg
Jaipur
Jaipur, Rajasthan, 302009
India

Aafreen Rehman

Women Rights Activist, Triple Talaq Petitioner

As one of the key petitioners in Supreme Court, 28 year old Aafreen is fighting a legal battle against the regressive law of triple talaq. Aafreen became news when she moved the Apex Court after receiving ‘divorce remotely’ via speed post. Her fight continues even after the SC verdict as the laws are still not in place and the ultimate benefit is yet to reach women who are divorced via triple talaq

Akkai Padmashali

Transgender, Gender Rights Activist

Akkai, a male to female trans-woman and gender activist has over a decade of experience in the developmental sector. Born a male in a middle-class family, she had to discontinue her studies after Grade 10, due to discrimination based on gender. She took to sex work to make ends meet and in 2004 joined Sangama (an organization working on transgender rights), as a part time staff member to educate the sexual minority community members about their rights at cruising areas. She was promoted to the post of Community Mobilizer and then to Field Supervisor. During that time, she also worked on issues concerning “Right to Health” and “Right to Access Condom” and other services. In 2014, she co-founded Ondede (which mean convergence in Kannada), to link the different movements like Child Rights, Women’s Rights and Sexual Minorities Rights through areas of dialogue, research and action on dignity-voice-sexuality with the dream of pursuing her vision for a gender just world.

Anandamide Abhinav Deodhar

Composer and Performer

Anandamide is one of the handful Hang (aka Hang Drum) players of India. Void of any formal musical training, his music flows entirely from the heart. Having played with many artists from different cultures, the biggest driving force behind his music stems from various experiences of life, devoid of fear, prejudice and entanglements. His musical project named - Anandamide plays a Hang/Handpan , Didgeridoo and Mouth harps creating acoustic, ambient, meditative trance. Referred to as ‘the bliss molecule’, Anandamide was an apt name for the blissful, boundless sounds and vibrations that these sounds evoke.

Dr. Vishal Rao

Cancer Specialist, Inventor

Dr. Vishal Rao has vast experience in the field of Oncology and Head & Neck Surgery and has been trained in Oncology at one of the most prestigious cancer institutes of India, Tata Memorial Hospital at Mumbai. As a self-motivating medical expert, Dr. Rao has invented the AUM voice prosthesis to help throat cancer patients get their lost voice back, at an affordable price. He believes in prevention to palliation approach to oncology and works with several groups on holistic healing.

Faisal Ali Dar

Sports Coach, Forbes Asia 30 under 30

A week after 7-year old Tajamul did Kashmir proud by winning a Gold at the World Kickboxing Championship in Italy, Hashim brought home a gold medal from the Asian Youth Karate Championship held in New Delhi late last November. Both were trained by Faisal. Faisal Ali Dar, the trainer of wunderkinds Tajamul Islam and Hashim Mansoor, runs the most celebrated sports academy in one of the terror-affected areas of Kashmir. Faisal took up martial arts in 2003, inspired, he says, by Bruce Lee movies. Faisal has persevered in the face of every difficulty – political, social and economic. Even during the unrest, he is training these kids. At ‘Ali Sports Academy’ about 4000 kids are trained in different martial arts by Master Faisal free of cost Faisal received Dr. B.R. Ambedkar National Award in ‘Sport and Peace’ category for his contribution in ‘Peace Building Activities’ in Jammu & Kashmir. He has also been named in the list of Forbes Asia 30 under 30 list of 2017 in the Sports & Entertainmen

Gurpal Singh

Actor, Comedian, Founder – Bring Your Own Film Festival

A graduate from the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune, Gurpal Singh has worked on several films, documentaries and televisions shows in various capacities – as an actor, director, as well as a casting director. His pranks on the candid camera show Chhupa Rustam established him as an actor and since then there has been no looking back. Gurpal is an avid traveller and foodie and he combines these passions with his love for theatre. He is the founder of BYOFF (Bring Your Own Film Festival, Puri) and frequently organizes several small gatherings and festivals for independent musicians, filmmakers and occasionally folk musicians. BYOFF is a film festival without hierarchy, competition, juries or awards, where filmmakers as well as artists from other disciplines are encouraged to participate and show their work. It is an alternative platform for filmmakers ever since its first edition in the year 2004, whose basic idea has been to move away from the oppressive atmosphere

Harshwardhan Zala

Innovator. Child Prodigy

A 10th grader genius, Harshwardhan drew the nation’s attention when he signed a 5-crore worth MoU with the Department of Science and Technology, Government of Gujarat, to facilitate production of the drones that help detect and defuse land mines on war fields. He has been working in the area of robotics and drones since the age of 10 and has already worked to develop 16 robots and 8 drones. At the age of 14, he set up his own company Aerobotics7 with a vision to provide better technology and facilities to a common man.

Juma Khan & Troupe

Folk Artist

Juma Khan is from the Alwar district of Rajasthan. His wide musical repertoire ranges from satirical rhyming poems on socio-political issues to verses from the epics. Although a Muslim, much of his music revolves around the Mahabharata and Lord Shiva. His people keep an ancient temple of the Lord that attracts devotees from afar on Shivratri - Juma Khan sees no contradiction in his art and faith, in the dissolution of boundaries between religions so rigidly demarcated in other parts of the country. He plays the 'bhapang' - an ancient single stringed instrument associated with 'jogis' or wanderers. Audiences adore Juma's performances. His instant popularity is what saw him through the selection process of one of the biggest reality shows on TV, India's Got Talent. Despite being held back by a lack of opportunities in his early years and a life of poverty today Juma has collaborated with some of the world's best musicians, and opened acts at many festivals. What gives him the most joy th

Kamakshi Khanna

Singer & Songwriter

A Delhi Based Singer/Songwriter who believes she is an old soul, Kamakshi Khanna is an effervescent voice that brings life to experiences and stories through her songs. Her work ranges from singing in A capella choirs to being one of the top six contestants on India’s first English singing reality show, The Stage (Season 1). Her releases include an EP (Much Mellow) in 2015 and an album (Cakewalk) in 2017. Kamakshi Khanna is a creator of raw, organic songs and tunes that emerge from an intricate mixture of her experiences and epiphanies. A voice that goes through various styles, including but not limited to Rhythm and Blues, Soul, Pop and Ballads. Lyrically, her songs talk about her interactions and tiffs with life and the things that make her appreciate the present. All of 24, her ability to delve and explore newer paths and collaborate with musicians of all walks of and stature set her apart in the next generation of music from India.

Prateek Sharma

Innovator, Problem Solver

Prateek Sharma is a Btech graduate of IITDELHI from batch of 2015. He is an entrepreneur who has received ‘Startups National Award’ of the year 2017 from President of India for his remarkable work in building a technology to prevent us from air pollution. Nasofilters is India’s most affordable pollution filter which filters out particles of the size PM2.5 and comes at a cost of just Rs10. Nasofilters is a favourite pollution filter of many people including President of India. Nasofilters has also been recognised as ‘Top 50 technical startups’ all over the world by Republic of Korea and “Top 100 global startups” for HongKong’s famous Elevator pitch. Only Indian startup to achieve this feat. Funded under schemes of Government of India, Nasofilters is also registered under Startup India to avail tax exemption.

Pratik Sinha

Founder, AltNews

Founder of Altnews.in, Pratik Sinha is an ex-software engineer. Along with two more co-founders, he launched Altnews – a fact finding website - to combat the phenomenon of fake news. Recognizing his work, Sinha was invited to the Google NewsLab Asia-Pacific Summit to discuss potential solutions to fake news. Since its first published story in February 2017, Alt News has crossed more than five million views in the past seven months.

Ritu David

Data Led Experience Designer

As global nomad, a consumer and creator of data, Ritu is is equally curious about design, data and human cognition. She is on a continuous voyage to integrate our offline and online worlds. Ritu found her calling in 2008 when she applied data science to national security, where micro decisions have macro impact. Ritu says she is ‘flesh, bones and data with a bit of love thrown in - as seasoning’. Ritu studies how our digital and physical experiences morph because of the data we create. She founded The Data Duck, a user experience design firm where analytics, business acumen and creativity merge with tech. A critical member of her eclectic team is Mtoto, the beagle who supplies happiness and energy to all.