Theme: Onwards & Upwards

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).

TEDxIIMCalcutta is an independently organized TEDx event by IIM Calcutta. TEDxIIMCalcutta believes that an idea holds power. If you can’t get your brilliant ideas across, your ideas won’t get you anywhere.
In the spirit of TED conferences held worldwide, we provide a platform for speakers who can change perceptions through their big surprising ideas, narrate novel stories, and compel people to think out of the box.

Virtual Gathering, Indian Institute of Management Calcutta
Indian Institute of Management Calcutta
Kolkata, West Bengal, 700104
India

Dr. Amar Patnaik

Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha; Ex-Principal Accountant General, Odisha, West Bengal, Kerala, Sikkim

Dr. Amar Patnaik is a Member of Parliament in Rajya Sabha from Odisha, which he joined after a long and successful career in the Civil Services. Having been associated with The World Bank and the United Nations for global audit projects, he has a long-standing experience in the field of data security.

Lord Meghnad Desai

Economist, Padma Bhushan Awardee

Lord Meghnad Desai is a British economist and a Padma Bhushan awardee. He is an immensely experienced former member of the Labour Party and an emeritus professor at the prestigious London School of Economics. He is also the prolific author of over 30 books on topics ranging from the rediscovery of India, to how globalization will shape up in the future.

Medha Patkar Ji

Social activist; Founder, Narmada Bachao Andolan Movement; Alumnus, TISS

She is an Indian social activist working on various crucial political and economic issues raised by tribals, dalits, farmers, labourers and women facing injustice in India. She is the founder member of the 32 years old people's movement called Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA) which is engaged in a struggle for justice for the people affected by the dam projects related to the Sardar Sarovar dam project. Patkar is one of the founders of the National Alliance of People's Movements (NAPM), an alliance of hundreds of progressive people's organizations. She is also an alumunus of TISS.

Miss. Manjari Sharma

Entrepreneur, Founder - Farm Didi; Ex-Manager, Kearney; IIM Calcutta Alumnus

Manjari is a social entrepreneur and the founder of Farm Didi - with an aim to empower rural women while selling authentic and healthy food products. On the back of successful stints in technology and management consulting, she spent 6 months researching and launching products in rural India, which made her a dynamic young entrepreneur.

Mr. Jayesh Ranjan

IAS, Principal Secretary, IT, Govt. of Telangana; IIM Calcutta Alumnus

Mr Jayesh Ranjan was the All-India topper of his IAS batch of 1992. Presently, he is the Principal Secretary of the Industries & Commerce (I&C) and Information Technology (IT) Departments of the Telangana government. His immense exposure ranges from international consultancy assignments for the World Bank, to being awarded 'The Royal Order of the Polar Star' by the King of Sweden himself.

Mr. Pratap Chatterjee

Executive director - Corpwatch, Investigative journalist, Progressive author

Mr. Pratap Chatterjee, an Indian/Sri Lankan investigative journalist and progressive author. He serves as the executive director of CorpWatch, an organization that holds corporations accountable through its various resources. He was a reporter with the Bureau of Investigative Journalism and a senior fellow at the Centre for American Progress. Mr. Chatterjee has traveled extensively in Central Asia and the Middle East to investigate the role of private military contractors working in Afghanistan and Iraq. He has authored many books including Verax: The True History of Whistleblowers, Drone Warfare, and Mass Surveillance and The Earth Brokers: Power, Politics and World Development.

Mr. Ranjitsinh Disale

Winner of Global Teacher Prize; Education Advisor to World Bank

Mr Ranjithsinh Disale, is the first-ever Indian winner of the $1Mn Global Teacher Prize, which he won in 2020! He was recognized for his work in Solapur, Maharashtra, where he continues to promote girls' education and introduced the use of technology for the benefit of the students. Not just an exemplary teacher but an extremely generous person, he decided to share half of his prize money with his fellow finalists as a mark of appreciation for their work.

Prof. Michel Danino

Author, Indian Civilization and Culture; Padma Shri Awardee; Member of the Indian Council of Historical Research

Prof. Michel is a French-born Indian scholar of ancient Indian civilization, history and culture. He authored The Lost River: On the Trail of the Sarasvati and Indian Culture and India's Future. He has taught aspects of Indian civilization in several educational institutions; his lecture series at IIT Kanpur recorded over 200,000 views. Since 2011 he has been associated with IIT Gandhinagar, visiting professor and coordinating the Archaeological Sciences Centre. He has also been awarded Padma Shri in 2017 for his fantastic contribution to Literature and Education.

Sandip Mallick Ji

Dancer, Nritya Prabhakar, Visharad and Upadhaya with Gold medal; Founder Director, NADAM

Mr Sandip Mallick, has the unique academic blend of being a gold medalist in his Bachelor of Commerce (Hons.), and securing a first-class Post graduate in Dance. He has won multiple Kathak competitions including those by the WB State Music Academy, and has performed in several dance festivals of India. Not only have his performances mesmerized audiences for years but his teaching institute has also equally flourished. Having conducted workshops in Italy, Germany and multiple other countries, he's here to share his experiences in TEDxIIMCalcutta!

Vidisha Baliyan

Miss Deaf World, Rtd. National Level Tennis Player

Ms. Vidisha is an Indian female deaf model, beauty pageant winner, and retired tennis player. She has represented India at the 2017 Summer Deaflympics and also represented India at the 2019 Miss & Mister Deaf World contest. On 19 July 2019, she won the Miss Deaf World Contest and became the first-ever Indian crowned as a Miss Deaf World.