Theme: Mystical Mosaics

The seventh annual edition of TEDxIIMShillong is scheduled to happen on 19th February 2022, in virtual mode.TEDxIIMShillong is an annual event independently organized by the Indian Institute of Management, Shillong. We endeavor to bring this globally acclaimed platform to fire the spark of innovation in our students by roping in speakers who have proven their mettle in diverse fields, including technology, entertainment, design, art, science, to name a few. In all its exclusivity, TEDxIIMShillong also becomes noteworthy as it focuses its attention on the unexplored geographical territories of the North-eastern region of India. It brings dialogue, deliberation, and discussion to Northeast India - a hub of academia, culture, and excellence.
This year, our theme is 'Mystical Mosaics', which aims to encourage eccentricity in all its beauty and embrace the idea that it is not essential to fit in, but it is imperative to be a significant part of the bigger picture. We wish to promote diversity of ideas with this year's theme, weaving beautiful patterns and defining order after chaos. We firmly believe that when we piece together the experiences of those around us, it mirrors a guiding light for us to see the bigger picture.

IIM Shillong
Umsawli
Shillong, Meghalaya, 793018
India

Chetna Sinha

Founder, Mann Deshi Foundation & Mann Deshi Mahila Bank | Co-Chair, World Economic Forum 2018

Chetna Sinha is the Founder-Chairperson of the Mann Deshi Bank and Mann Deshi Foundation. Ms. Sinha passionately believes that empowering poor rural women transforms and fuels growth in an economy. In 1997 she set up the Mann Deshi Mahila Sahakari Bank, India's first bank for and by rural women. Today, the Mann Deshi Bank has loaned over 780 million and regularly creates new financial products to support the needs of female micro-entrepreneurs. She has also founded the first business school for rural women in India and has launched a toll-free helpline and the first Chambers of Commerce for women micro-entrepreneurs in the country. In 2018, Sinha served as a co-chair of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, and as a Co-Chair of Financial Inclusion at the W20 Summit in Argentina. She was awarded the Nari Shakti Puraskar - the highest civilian award for women in India - by the President of India. She is a Member of the BRICS Women's Business Alliance, India.

Hari Prasad Kovelamudi

Anaesthesiologist, Emergency Medicine Practitioner And President of Apollo Hospitals

Dr. Hari Prasad Kovelamudi, is an anesthetist and the president of the hospitals' division of the first corporate chain of hospitals in India, the Apollo Hospitals Group. Prasad is the first doctor outside Europe to be honored with a fellowship of the College of Emergency Medicine, UK, and the first in India to receive a fellowship of the International Federation for Emergency Medicine. He is also the course director for the paramedic training program in collaboration with Stanford University He also serves on the board of directors of the Apollo Institute of Hospital Administration (AIHA).

Kavita Krishnamurti

Indian playback and classical singer

A recipient of Padmashri (2005) and 4 Filmfare playback singer awards, Kavita Krishnamurthy has recorded over 15000 songs in 16 languages including many in Hindi and other regional language films. She is also known for expressing her profound thoughts and opinions about the music industry and business

Nihad Panju

Athlete - Marathon & Obstacle Course Runner

Mr. Nihad Panju is an athlete, marathon runner and motivational speaker, all rolled into one. He was inflicted with tubercular meningitis at a very tender age, resulting in the left side of his body being completely paralyzed. However, with his indomitable spirit, he went on to defy all odds and achieve wonders in the field of sports. Some of his achievements include: • The Tata Mumbai Marathon Dream Run • The One Nation Run - Race Ambassador • Strive International Virtual 2.0 Run - Race Ambassador • Winter Cyclothon & Run - Race Ambassador

Phoebe Dale Nongrum

Professional Racer

Shillong-based Phoebe Dale Nongrum secured a place in the first Formula national women's team, where she was among the six-team members selected from across the country. She is the first woman from Northeast India to participate in the JK Tyre-FMSCI national racing championships and create history by finishing third. Phoebe turned out to be the first woman from Meghalaya to secure a place in the Formula LGB 4 team.

Prakash Singh

Retd. DGP of Police, Architect of the Police Reforms in India

Prakash Singh, a recipient of the Padma Shri Award, is a retired IPS officer, who rose to the highest rank of Director General of Police (DGP). He has served as Chief of the Border Security Force (BSF), Uttar Pradesh Police, and Assam Police. He is considered one of the best police officers for his role as a key architect for Police reforms in India. Presently, he is the Chairman of the Indian Police Foundation and Institute and assists the Union Public Service Commission as an expert in the selection of All India Civil Services officers. He has also authored 7 bestselling books and is currently running educational institutions as well as academic scholarships to meritorious students.

Roshan Farhan

Founder and CEO - Gobillion

Roshan Farhan, is the Founder and CEO of Gobillion. He has been selected as the Economic Times Young Leader 2019, and a Global Shaper by the World Economic Forum.Gobillion is a Social E-commerce startup, It's mission is to make e-commerce social and accessible for the next 500M customers in Tier 2+ cities in India. Gobillion raised a $2.9M seed round from YCombinator and some of the biggest global marquee investors from US, Europe, SE Asia and India. Gobillion is globally headquartered in San Francisco, California and India offices in Delhi, Bangalore, Kolkata and Guwahati.

Suman Gopalan

Chief HR Officer, Freshworks Inc.

Ms. Suman Gopalan is the Chief HR Officer at Freshworks Inc., where she guides its global people strategy to engage, develop and care for its worldwide employees. Previously, Suman led the global and regional HR teams for The Nielsen Company, Dell Technologies, and Whirlpool. She holds an MBA in Human Resources from XLRI Jamshedpur, is an active mentor for young women leaders, and is the co-founder of the ACT Women initiative. Suman was recently awarded the Accenture Vaahini Equality Champion of the Year award at the ET Prime Women Leadership Awards 2021 for actively promoting diversity and inclusiveness at the workplace.