Theme: The Space Between

The ninth edition, held in 2024, embraced the theme “The Space Between,” which delved into the often-overlooked spaces in our lives between our actions and thoughts. This theme set the stage for a series of insightful and thought-provoking discussions, encouraging attendees to reflect on the significance of these in-between moments.

The event featured a dynamic lineup of seven speakers Ankita Singh, Lt. Col. Suresh Patil, Karan Darda, Pt. Ramdas Palsule, Nachiket Utpat, Murtaza Nasir, and Mithlesh Kumar, each bringing a unique perspective to the central theme. Their talks spanned a variety of subjects, sparking inspiration and fostering a deeper understanding of the spaces that influence our decisions and behaviors. Complementing these talks were four interactive workshops like the Kombucha Making Workshop, Brazilian Zouk Workshop, Fluid Art Workshop, and Fridge Magnet Workshop, providing participants with hands-on experiences to further explore and internalize the day's ideas. These workshops facilitated a more profound engagement with the theme, allowing attendees to actively participate and apply the concepts discussed.

Beyond the intellectual stimulation, TEDxVITPune offered a well-rounded experience with a jamming session and a live band performance, adding a lively and entertaining dimension to the event. Attendees enjoyed delicious meals, including lunch and snacks with sweets, ensuring they were well-fed throughout the day. Additionally, the event featured excellent merchandise, which served as a tangible reminder of the enriching experience. Overall, TEDxVITPune's Edition 9 successfully combined enlightening talks, engaging activities, and delightful amenities, making it a flagship event that left a lasting impression on all who attended.

Vishwakarma Institute of Technology, Pune
666, Upper Indiranagar, Bibwewadi, Pune, Maharashtra, INDIA - 411 037.
Pune, Maharashtra, 411037
India

Ankita Singh

Content Creator

Ankita Singh, a celebrated content creator, is known for her exceptional work in the fashion and beauty space. Recognized by Lokmat as the best fashion influencer and featured on hoardings nationwide, Ankita brings over 6 years of experience and a massive following of 1 million+ to the table. Apart from being a fashion influencer, Ankita is also recognized for her entrepreneurial ventures. She has been honored as a 30 under 30 entrepreneur, showcasing her success and innovation in the business world.

Karan Darda

Architect

Karan Darda is an acclaimed architect and founder of Karan Darda Architects, an architecture and design studio he established in 2019 in Pune, India. Known for his pioneering approach to sustainable and community-centric design, Karan has led transformative projects that blend functionality, aesthetics, and environmental responsibility. Recently, his studio, KrDA, designed the Shivaji Nagar Metro Station, setting a new standard for public infrastructure in the region. Karan’s work, ranging from eco-friendly residential spaces to public infrastructure, is a testament to his visionary outlook, focusing on minimizing environmental impact and enhancing quality of life. His passion for responsible urban planning and dedication to reshaping how we live and interact within spaces define his impact on the architectural landscape as a whole.

Mithlesh Kumar

Investor, Entrepreneur

Mithlesh Kumar, Founder and CEO of Arjuna Research and Financial Services Pvt. Ltd., as one of our distinguished speakers for the 9th edition of TEDxVITPune! Although his journey started off with hardships, graduating during a recession and facing personal challenges, including his father’s health struggles and his own stammer, Mithlesh Kumar launched his own company, in 2021 amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. With no prior entrepreneurial experience, he achieved a remarkable 3000% increase in sales by 2023. Mithlesh attributes his success to dedication, resilience, continuous learning and a philosophy of embracing challenges as opportunities for growth.

Murtaza Nasir

Calisthenics expert and NASM Certified Personal Trainer

Murtaza Nasir, a certified fitness coach from the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) and Co-Founder of Muscle Bar. In the past six years, he has personally coached over 300 individuals and built a strong community exceeding 4000 members through Muscle Bar, which currently operates across three distinct locations in Pune. His main focus is helping people build strength and endurance through calisthenics and functional training, empowering his students to master their own body weight. Murtaza specializes in rehab as well as strength and conditioning for individuals post-ACL/Meniscus surgeries. He has organized 7 calisthenics competitions in the last 5 years, including 5 national-level events with 500+ participants.

Nachiket Utpat

Director - Wildlife Conservation, RESQ Charitable Trust

Hailing from Mumbai, Nachiket's early career saw him thriving in the fast-paced realm of information technology. However, despite professional success, his heart was always drawn to the plight of animals and the natural world. This deep-seated passion eventually led him to make a courageous and unconventional decision to transition from the tech industry to wildlife conservation. At RESQ, a dedicated trust committed to providing emergency aid to animals in distress, Nachiket leads critical initiatives focusing on human-wildlife interactions, awareness and outreach programs, and animal rehabilitation. His role involves managing and coordinating these efforts as well as on field operations, witnessing firsthand the recovery and release of wild animals.

Ramdas Palsule

Musician, Artist

Renowned tabla maestro Pandit Ramdas Palsule takes center stage at TEDxVITPune to reveal the fascinating interplay between music and mathematics. As a renowned Indian tabla player recognized for his contributions to Hindustani classical music, Panditji has dedicated his life to mastering the intricacies of our music and has earned recognition as an A-grade artist by Doordarshan and All India Radio. Known for his innovative solo performances and collaborative work with legendary musicians, he is also a founding member and Guru at Avartan Gurukul – a unique institution for studying Hindustani music in Pune.

Suresh Patil

Activist, Environmentalist, Veteran

Lt. Col. Suresh Patil (Retd.) is a visionary leader who has left an indelible mark on both the battlefield and the green field. A decorated Indian Army veteran, Lt. Col. Patil served valiantly in the 1971 Indo-Pak war, where he sustained critical injuries. Post-retirement, he founded the GREEN THUMB Environment Protection Group to champion sustainable practices and environmental restoration. An accomplished activist, Lt. Col. Patil attended the Rio Earth Summit in 1992, the only Indian Army officer to do so, and has been recognized globally with over 20 awards, including the Dubai International Award (2005). His work spans critical projects such as the de-silting of Khadakwasla Dam, rainwater harvesting, and combating deforestation. Beyond environmentalism, he advocates for the welfare of war widows and ex-servicemen A true torchbearer for sustainability and humanity, Lt. Col. Patil’s inspiring journey reminds us of the profound impact of purposeful leadership.