Speakers Who Inspire

Indian mountaineer sisters, Aditi and Anuja Vaidya, hold the record as the first Gujarati sisters to summit Mt. Everest and the second sister duo in the world to achieve this feat. Trained at the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering, Uttarkashi, they are on a mission to complete the Seven Summits Challenge, with Anuja having conquered six and Aditi three so far. Beyond mountaineering, they are also PADI-certified scuba divers, water skiers, and trained paragliders, pushing their limits across land, water, and sky. At TEDxBistupur, they spoke on "Finding Comfort Outside the Comfort Zone," sharing how embracing discomfort has fueled their incredible journey. Their story is a testament to resilience, courage, and the endless pursuit of new challenges, inspiring others to step beyond their boundaries and ask, “WHAT NEXT?”

Dr. Ajoy Kumar, a doctor, former IPS officer, corporate leader, and politician, brings a wealth of experience from public service, healthcare, and business. From receiving the President’s Police Medal for Gallantry as the youngest IPS officer to leading organizations like Apollo Hospitals, Cummins Diesel, and Tata Sons, his career is a testament to leadership across sectors. Currently, he serves as the Country Head of JSS Medical Research India Pvt. Ltd., contributing to advancements in drug discovery. At TEDxBistupur, he delivered an insightful talk on "India at the Crossroads," emphasizing how the choices we make as citizens will determine whether India emerges as a developed nation or faces turmoil. His talk urged individuals to take responsibility for shaping the nation’s future, making it a compelling and thought-provoking session.

Amish Ved, an airline pilot and world champion sailor, is dedicated to mentoring young athletes through competitive sailing. With over 30 years of coaching experience, he has shaped the careers of sailors at both national and international levels. A two-time Asian Games medal-winning coach, Amish has been instrumental in youth development, crafting a competency-based sailing program aimed at nurturing future Olympic champions. At TEDxBistupur, he delivered an inspiring talk on "From the Mobile Screen to Sun Screen," highlighting how sailing can transform young minds, instilling discipline, resilience, and life skills. With the dream of winning Olympic gold, he hopes to share the joy of sailing with children across India, encouraging them to step away from screens and embrace the thrill of the open waters.

Biren Bhuta, the Founder Director of Disom - The Leadership School, is on a mission to redefine leadership in public service. His initiative nurtures ethical servant leaders who are guided by an inner voice, deep democracy, and a spirit of service. From banking to journalism to corporate social responsibility, Biren’s journey has been driven by a quest for purpose and impact. As the former Chief of CSR at Tata Steel, he spearheaded Samvaad, an international tribal identity conclave that continues to foster meaningful dialogue today. At TEDxBistupur, he spoke on "Reimagining Leadership," urging individuals to listen to their inner calling and embrace leadership that serves society. Through Disom, he is shaping a new generation of leaders who believe in transformative change from within.

Nupur Tandon is on a mission to rethink, redefine, and redesign waste for a future without landfills. A former athlete turned social and environmental change-maker, she left a successful corporate career in Paris and Delhi to answer her true calling—clearing the Earth of waste. In 2012, she founded Pro Waste Concepts, a company that goes beyond just waste management services; it serves as a catalyst for systemic change, integrating technology and holistic approaches to transform institutions into zero-waste campuses. Through her work, she has successfully diverted over 70 tonnes of waste from landfills, proving that responsible waste management is not just necessary but possible. At TEDxBistupur, Nupur challenged the concept of “deceptive cleaning” and urged individuals to take ownership of their waste, ensuring it doesn't end up in illegal dumping sites or incinerators. Her talk serves as a wake-up call—waste is not trash, but a resource.

Priya Munshi is a tech evangelist and a passionate advocate for sustainability in technology. Based in Amsterdam, she leads tech businesses across Europe, proudly representing India in global technology forums. Recognized as an inspiring figure in Women in Business by CRN Channel Awards, she also co-chairs her company’s Women in Technology (WIT) operations and strategy, working towards greater inclusivity in the industry. At TEDxBistupur, Priya shed light on an often-overlooked environmental issue—our digital carbon footprint. With 60-70% of the data we generate never being used, she emphasized how this digital waste contributes to energy consumption and climate change. She urged individuals and corporations to rethink data storage and digital sustainability to combat this growing environmental challenge. Beyond technology, Priya is also a Mrs. India World 2022 top 20 finalist, using her platform to break societal stigmas and advocate for positive change.

Raghuveer Surupa is an entrepreneur, innovator, and empath dedicated to transforming cancer care. While working as a product manager in a leading pharmaceutical company, he witnessed firsthand the emotional toll of chemotherapy-induced hair loss on patients. This drove him to redefine cancer treatment experiences through Stemtech Medical Devices, a startup that developed India’s first scalp cooling system—a groundbreaking medical device designed to reduce hair loss during chemotherapy and improve patients’ emotional well-being. At TEDxBistupur, Raghuveer shared his challenging journey of building a hardware startup in the heavily regulated medical device industry. In a country where early-stage investment in medical hardware is scarce, he navigated numerous hurdles—both professional and personal—to bring this life-changing innovation to patients. His story is a testament to perseverance, purpose-driven innovation, and the impact of compassionate entrepreneurship.

Rajiv Ranjan Mishra, an IIT Kanpur alumnus and 1987 batch IAS officer, is a visionary leader in water conservation and river rejuvenation. As the Director General of the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), he spearheaded the Namami Gange Programme from 2018 to 2021, transforming it from an ambitious vision into a globally recognized model for river restoration. His contributions to Ganga rejuvenation policy have set a precedent for the revival of other rivers across India. At TEDxBistupur, Rajiv shared the journey of Ganga’s transformation—from doubt to confidence, illustrating how science, governance, and public participation can drive large-scale environmental change. His book, Ganga: Reimagining, Rejuvenating, Reconnecting, further delves into these efforts. Honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award by Water Digest, he continues to champion sustainability and river conservation, guiding institutions with his invaluable expertise.

Rambabu Sharma, founder of Youth Empowerment Foundation (YEF), is a social entrepreneur dedicated to education and skill development for underprivileged children and youth. A power engineering graduate from NPTI, Delhi, and Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, Rambabu currently works in a German MNC while passionately driving social change. At TEDxBistupur, he shared his inspirational journey—from struggling to access quality education to empowering thousands. His foundation, YEF, focuses on providing education, vocational training, and self-reliance opportunities for marginalized communities. Rambabu believes that society is our extended family, and by taking social responsibility, we not only uplift others but also strengthen ourselves. His talk emphasizes how empathy, perseverance, and action can turn adversity into an opportunity to create a lasting impact.

Rashi Jamuar, a Radio Jockey at Big FM Ranchi, sheds light on how the phrase "What Next?" holds different meanings and implications for men and women. In her thought-provoking TEDx talk, she challenges the audience to rethink their perspectives on opportunities, safety, work-life balance, and societal expectations, advocating for equal possibilities for both genders. With 18+ years of experience as a marketing and communication specialist, Rashi believes in the power of storytelling to ignite thought, conversation, and change. An avid traveler, biker, and linguist fluent in 8 Indian languages, she has lived and worked across various cities, including a year in Leh. Passionate about empowering women, she aspires to help young girls develop strong communication skills—so they can share their stories without fear of validation.

Sumit Kutani, popularly known as Baba Kutani, is a renowned handpan player who has performed on national and international stages. His music, deeply spiritual and soulful, finds its perfect setting along the banks of the River Ganga, where he often plays his hang drum. As the founder of Kutani Handpan Academy in Rishikesh, Sumit has worked tirelessly to bring the handpan community into the mainstream, moving beyond alternative music. From performing at music and film festivals to collaborating with established bands, he has carved a unique space for this mesmerizing instrument. Looking ahead, Sumit envisions collaborative projects to popularize handpan music and plans to build a school in the Himalayas for underprivileged children in Uttarakhand, blending music, education, and social impact.