Theme: Nurturing Wonder

What does every child have in common with Albert Einstein? Which quality can single-handedly strengthen our relationships, boost our achievements, and make us happier individuals? The answer to this question is wonder.
Einstein famously said, “I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious.” Why is it then that we do not consider ourselves to be as capable as Einstein? Surely it cannot be that difficult to be curious? We tend to lose our wonder and our curiosity towards life as we grow older - we care more about society’s opinions and judgements and feel afraid to wonder - which is detrimental to our cognitive function and mental health.
The solution to this grave issue then becomes to nurture the inherent wonder within us, and that is what the 9th edition of Neerja Modi TEDxYouth is about - making you the most inquisitive version of yourself.

Neerja Modi School
Near Technology Park, Shipra Path
Mansarovar
Jaipur, Rajasthan, 302020
India

Aditi Anuj

Founder, Adigami Studio

Aditi Anuj is a visionary creator and co-founder of Adigami. With a Masters degree in Textiles from the prestigious National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad, Aditi has seamlessly woven her childhood fascination with folding boats and planes into a remarkable lifelong career and passion: origami. Aditi imparts the art of origami to a diverse spectrum of individuals, spreading creativity and experimentation. Her ability to think out of the box and push boundaries has made her a sought-after name, collaborating with industry giants like Uber, Google, Microsoft, Adobe, Jockey, HSBC Bank, and Times of India. Notably, her contributions have even extended to the Netflix Series 'Sacred Games'.

Gauri Gupta

Student

Gauri Gupta, a 16-year-old social justice activist, is a Grade 10 student from Mumbai. Possessing a multifaceted talent, she excels as an innovator, artist, writer, and street photographer – all fueled by a profound interest in exploring art, history, philosophy, and physics. An IRIS Science Fair national finalist and Youth Ideathon winner for Social Entrepreneurship, Gauri is also the founder of Art Ki Pathshala, a social organization that cultivates joyful learning experiences for students through art. Gauri's enthusiasm for physics and her eagerness to delve into diverse topics, such as epistemology, existentialism, and utilitarianism, vividly showcase her dedication to expanding knowledge and fostering positive change. Drawing inspiration from influential philosophers like John Stuart Mill and René Descartes, she skillfully integrates their teachings into her approach to activism and driving meaningful transformation.

Ishita Garg & Sasha Kumar

Co-Founder, Exstemplar

Ishita Garg is the co-founder of Exstemplar, a non-profit organization with a mission to promote innovative and research-based STEM education in India in collaboration with the Government of India and Global Foundations. Exstemplar stands as a testament to Ishita's dedication to bringing about positive change through grassroots initiatives and policy interventions. She holds a Master's degree in International, Social, and Public Policy from the prestigious London School of Economics. Additionally, Ishita's passion for making a difference has led to her being appointed as the Youth Ambassador for the Indian Subcontinent to Indonesia.

Krishay Goyal

Wildlife Photographer

Krishay Goyal is a devoted wildlife photographer. His journey through this passion has not only revealed nature's beauty but also transformed his life in a captivating butterfly effect. With a portfolio adored with exhibitions, handbooks, Instagram features, and newspaper spotlights, his photography leaves a profound impact. However, Krishay’s love for wildlife extends beyond the lens. Krishay rescues and rehabilitates over a thousand birds and species, even earning an internship as a rehabilitation head for a wildlife welfare organization as a nod to his dedication. A unique blend of passions, Krishay excels in both labs and playgrounds, yet his heart resides in the untamed wilderness, away from city life.

Kusum Lata Jain

Activist

Ms. Kusum Lata Jain is an esteemed social activist & an inspiring speaker dedicated to making a positive impact in the lives of marginalized communities. With a Master's degree in Sociology and Public Administration, she possesses a profound understanding of social issues and community development. As the Secretary of Gram Bharti Samiti, she has been actively involved in various initiatives focused on empowering women and fostering entrepreneurship in rural areas. A compassionate humanitarian, Ms. Jain has devoted her life to the service of the handicapped, as well as individuals affected by leprosy & HIV/AIDS. Her relentless efforts in providing care and support to those in need have garnered immense appreciation and recognition. She was honored with the prestigious 'Women's Creativity in Rural Life' award by the Women's World Summit Foundation in Geneva.

Raghu Pratap Singh

Architect

Raghu Pratap Singh believes in an extremely progressive ideology- “The future of design is Culture” which he integrates with his out-of-the-box ideas to create some truly extraordinary projects. His architecture firm, Tatvam, which was founded in 2020 focuses on incorporating nature into various ventures inorder to generate a sustainable, yet pragmatic environment. Raghu Pratap Singh’s work has been widely recogonized all around the world and he is impeccably passionate about building sustainable properties.

Ria Golecha

Director, Kayakalptrust

Ria Golecha is an experienced Life Sciences and Public Health Strategy Consultant and is currently working as a Project Coordinator at the Harvard School of Public Health — India Research Center, wherein she collaborates with Harvard Faculty and project partners in India on health communication projects. However, outside work she runs a nonprofit organization - “Kayakalp Trust” - that provides support to puppeteers in West Delhi slums who don’t have access to resources. With having arranged more than 2000 muppet shows, Ria has received prestigious and notable awards such as the ‘Best Young Achiever Award’ by Global Action on Poverty and was also one among 120 students selected from India for the Young Leaders Program by Indian School of Business, Hyderabad.

Siddharth UR

Design Engineer

A Forbes India 30 Under 30 honoree in 2023, Siddharth UR stands as a beacon of creativity. With a staggering tally of 85 international design awards, his work resonates globally, dedicated to enhancing lives through thoughtful design solutions. Currently pursuing a Master's in Design Engineering at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Siddharth approaches real-world challenges with a blend of creativity, technical acumen, contextual insights, and profound empathy for people's needs. A graduate in Industrial Design from the esteemed National Institute of Design, India and previously an Experience Designer with Philips Healthcare at the Philips Innovation Campus, R&D, he championed revolutionizing design and healthcare.