Theme: Eunoia - Beauty and Harmony

TEDxThe Pupil International School Youth event, scheduled to unfold in the vibrant city of Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, is an inspiring and innovative TEDx program centered around the theme "Eunoia - Beauty and Harmony", featuring captivating and dynamic talks on groundbreaking innovation & startups, inclusivity & diversity in sports, empathetic gender sensitivity, majestic architecture & culture, and thrilling adventure.

The Space, The Pupil auditorium
345C+5Q9
162/1, Masilamani Nagar, Senneerkuppam
Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 600056
India

Dr. Rufus Edwin

General Surgeon

"Dare to be different" defines Dr. Rufus Edwin, a surgeon by profession and adventure enthusiast by passion. Born and raised in Chennai, he is trained at top institutions - Saveetha University (MBBS), Sri Ramachandra (MS General Surgery), and DY Patil (Advanced Cosmetic Surgery). His unique journey has taken him from mountains to icy deserts, including a year-long expedition in Antarctica, where he earned the title "Polar Man". Merging medicine with adventure, Dr. Rufus Edwin has volunteered and worked in diverse environments, proving that passion and profession can coexist, making a difference in challenging settings.

Dr. Shivakumar S.P

Surgical Gastroenterologist

Dr. S.P. Shivakumar is a renowned surgeon with extensive expertise in surgical gastroenterology and liver transplants. He completed his MBBS and MS in General Surgery from Sri Ramachandra Medical College, followed by a DNB and Ph.D. from Kilpauk Medical College. He holds FRCS credentials from England and Glasgow, a fellowship from the American College of Surgeons, and laparoscopic training from the University of Strasbourg, France. Dr. Shivakumar made history by removing the world's largest abdominal tumour, earning recognition in the Limca Book of Records and World Book of Records. An avid sportsman, he has won several tennis and badminton tournaments and frequently shares his passion for space and astronomy with school children through guest lectures.

Mr Harisankara Varma

Sports Physiotherapist

Mr. Harisankara Varma is a distinguished sports physiotherapist with a remarkable career spanning over a decade, specializing in working with elite athletes. He served as the official physiotherapist for the Indian National Boxing Team from 2006 to 2013, supporting athletes at major events like the 2012 London Olympics, World Boxing Championships, and Commonwealth Games. Mr. Varma played a crucial role in the success of renowned boxers like Vijender Singh, Mary Kom, and Shiva Thapa. His expertise extends to athletics, fencing, and wushu, contributing to India's success in the Asian Games. Mr. Varma holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Physiotherapy and has a passion for paediatric neurology and sports rehabilitation.

Mr Vignesh Srinivasan

Research Scholar - Department of Archaeology

Mr. Vignesh S is a dedicated Ph.D. research scholar with the State Department of Archaeology, Government of Tamil Nadu, working under the guidance of Dr. R. Sivanantham. He holds an M.A. in Ancient History and Archaeology from the University of Madras and a Diploma in Archaeology and Epigraphy from the International Institute of Tamil Studies. With a background in Information Technology (B.Tech), Mr. Vignesh has presented research on topics like Hero Stone traditions and Periyapuranam at prestigious conferences. He actively participates in workshops and training programs, and currently serves as a Project Assistant for the documentation and digitization of ancient Tamil inscriptions.

Ms Aksheyaa Akilan

WHO Fides member, Social Entrepreneur

Ms. Aksheyaa Akilan is a passionate mental health advocate and social entrepreneur, dedicated to promoting mental well-being through her organization, House of Hibiscus. This cohort of three mental health organizations focuses on various facets of mental health, with intersectionality at the core of its initiatives. Ms. Aksheyaa has worked with the WHO and the UN Human Rights, and she is currently a member of the WHO's Fides, recognized as a health influencer. Impacting over 2 lakh youth and children, her commitment to creating inclusive, equitable spaces drives her efforts to challenge societal norms and support diverse communities, making a lasting impact on mental health and human rights advocacy.

Ms Chitra Ravi

Founder & CEO

Ms Chitra Ravi is an educational visionary with over two decades of experience in transforming education. She founded Chrysalis in 2001 with the mission to awaken every child's innate potential. Ms. Chitra has led initiatives like eliminating traditional textbooks and promoting inclusive teacher development. She has completed pedagogic courses at Harvard University and participated in Stanford Business School's Leadership program. Under her leadership, Chrysalis received the Economic Times Game-Changer award. Ms. Chitra champions a culture of thinking and emotionally safe learning environments. Chrysalis' flagship solution, ThinkRoom, impacts over 400,000 students in 1,000 schools across India.