Theme: Merging minds: The League of Castaways

Life is a strange journey where minds with unique thoughts travel in diverse paths. There is no doubt
about it that we all have felt like a castaway, like a sailor set for a journey that might never come to an
end because of our bizarre thoughts or for unapologetically being ourselves. This phase is one of the
most revolutionary and mind-bending phases of life where being a person looking for fulfilment on
the internet or among those loads of friends who appear like once in a blue moon in your life to
becoming someone who very politely disrespects validation and chooses self-sanity. From a person
who would always be reluctant to crack things, waiting for the never coming approval to being a
person consumed by life, laughter, happiness, memories, knowledge, and compassion for others. This
transition feels like you are like a squish ball because of how systematically this topic is avoided, how
a person who is consumed by books is called a nerd but the other with a crowd around them is called
cool. We all wish for an environment where these blasting minds have the freedom to be a blunder
sometimes in someone else's story or be a hero on their own. A place where thoughts can be
swooshed through, minds can be merged and this phase can be as beautiful as it is. So yes, we are
here to acknowledge the city of castaways who are courageous to be so. Striking the minds with many
stories and hearts with kinds of love we welcome you to the TEDxSIST event based on the theme
“Merging minds: The League of Castaways”

TEDxSIST
V6FG+X7V, Kamaraj Nagar, Semmancheri
Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 600119
India

Ananya V Ganesh

Young Author

A young author who is keen to make her mark in the world by sharing unique perspectives on life and her experiences, Ananya is a dedicated and motivated high school student with exceptional communication skills and remarkable demonstrated ability in people and leadership skills, creative expression, and artistic drive. She is the author of 3 published books - ‘9 Chocolatey Bites’, ‘Dancing Kites’ and ‘Cloud Walker’ published at the ages of 10, 13 & 16. She is the recipient of 'Young Achiever Award' from the Downtown Icon Awards 2017 and has been a speaker at several major events and fests. When she was in grade 5, she started and ran an anti bullying campaign year long for grades 2-5 at school and has ideated & conducted kids’ summer camps for 6 years in her community. She has completed several impactful research papers at school.

Gnanavel T. J

Film Director

T. J. Gnanavel is an Indian film director and writer, who has worked predominantly in the Tamil film industry. He is best known for directing Jai Bhim (2021).[1] Gnanavel made his debut in 2011, writing the story and screenplay of the crime action Payanam. He next associated with Prakash Raj for the latter's directorial venture Dhoni (2012), which he wrote the dialogues for. In 2017, he made his directorial debut with the comedy Kootathil Oruthan, starring Ashok Selvan and Priya Anand in pivotal roles. Gnanavel not only directed the film but also wrote the story, screenplay and dialogues.

Kannan Gireesh

Consultant Psychiatrist, Psychotherapist

Dr. Kannan Gireesh is a reputed Psychiatrist, who is also the Founder & CEO of Live Life Education Private Limited. Before starting Live Life Education, Dr. Kannan Gireesh had an illustrious career in Neuroscience and Psychiatry. He was recognized internationally for his work on child disorders, especially the lives of children of alcoholics. His years of engagement with children resulted in one big question that haunted his mind for long. While our education system attempts to prepare our children to be industry ready, are the systems ensuring that children are life ready? Dr. Kannan Gireesh, M.B.B.S., & M.D. (Psychiatry), Consultant Psychiatrist, Psychotherapist, and Counsellor, Founder & CEO, Live Life Education Private Limited. Dr. Kannan Gireesh observed that the youth of today are being overwhelmed with various problems such as academic pressure, depression, anxiety, substance abuse, stress related disorders, insomnia and suicidal tendencies.

Maalica ArjunKrishnan

Life Coach

Mrs. Maalica ArjunKrishnan is the daughter of legendary director K.S.Ravikumar. She started her career in 2019 as a fashion designer after completing her fashion designing course from Mr.Manish Malhotra.Due to her pregnancy and health related issues, she had to let go off her career within the next 6 months. Post delivering her baby, she fought a battle with postpartum depression and covid anxiety and that is when she went to a life coach. She says that her life coach is the angel who changed her life 360 degrees.Because of her life coach, she changed into a postive, happy and wonderful soul filled with love.Though she hails from a celebrity background, she has worked her way up the ladder and etched a mark for herself as a life coach for women. Today, she has coached over 800 women helping them in become emotionally stronger. She is also a film producer along with her father. Multitasking , hardwork and consistency are the three most important mantras for her success.

Sujith Kumar J

Founder & Managing Trustee - Maatram Foundation

Sujith Kumar J is a prominent speaker in student & industry forums and has featured in several TV and Radio Talk shows. A 5 time TEDx speaker, he has delivered over 3300 guest lectures and spends his weekends mostly visiting colleges and speaking to young minds.Very passionate about writing, Sujith has penned his thoughts for several magazines and newspapers. He also published his first book written in Tamil. Sujith has been with Infosys Ltd for the last 20 years and has performed several roles in this period. He is currently the AVP & HR Business Leader for Infosys where he heads the HR function for its Cloud & Infrastructure Services and also heads the Internal Communications at Infosys. Sujith has won several awards—Winner of the Young Achiever Award & ICON of Rotaract awarded by Rotary International. Recipient of The Change Maker Award in 2014, Humanitarian Award from NIT, Trichy & Distinguished Alumni of Loyola in 2015.

Yamini Kannappan

Consultant Psychiatrist

Dr.Yamini Kannappan, MBBS, DPM, DNB, is currently Consultant Psychiatrist, Kauvery Hospital, Chennai. She graduated from the prestigious Madras Medical College in 2001 bagging honours in Clinical Medicine and Forensic Medicine. She went on to pursue her post-graduation in Psychiatry from the Institute of Mental Health in 2004 and Diplomate Psychiatry from Schizophrenia Research Foundation in 2011. She was awarded the 'Dr. Sarada Menon Gold Medal' for topping the country in the Diplomate National Board Postgraduate Psychiatry examinations held by the National Board of Examinations, New Delhi in 2011.Being an active campaigner of Mental Health she has been promoting awareness regarding mental health issues in various media platforms. Her special areas of interest include Addiction & Geriatric Psychiatry.