Aditi Dugar talks about blending tradition with innovation in the world of food, exploring how creativity, culture, and entrepreneurship come together to shape new experiences and possibilities. Aditi Dugar is a pioneering restaurateur and entrepreneur, best known as the founder and director of Masque, India’s first tasting-menu-only restaurant. Under her leadership, Masque has been recognised as the Best Restaurant in India on Asia’s 50 Best list for four consecutive years, the first female-led establishment to achieve this honour. Beginning her career in finance, Aditi was drawn to food by her family’s passion for cooking. She launched Sage & Saffron in 2012, refined her skills at Michelin-starred restaurants, and opened Masque in 2016. Her work reimagines Indian dining through seasonal, sustainable produce sourced from local farmers. Beyond Masque, she also runs TwentySeven Bakehouse, Bar Paradox, and Circle Sixty Nine, each a reflection of her creative vision. Aditi’s relentless commitment to championing Indian ingredients has made her one of the most influential voices in India’s culinary renaissance. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

Murali S. shares how a string of early failures became the forge for lasting success, revealing how setbacks can steer us toward our true calling. In his case, a lifelong passion for teaching. Murali S. is a Physics teacher at DAIS whose journey into education began as an unexpected detour. A qualified Electronics and Communication Engineer, he started in IT before discovering his passion for teaching in 2009. He first taught computer science in Bangalore and co-founded a coaching center for competitive exams, mentoring students for AIEEE and JEE Physics. In 2014, he transitioned to international curricula, and later earned a Master’s in Education on a full IB scholarship. Today, he is a certified Cambridge teacher trainer specializing in pedagogy and subject delivery. Known for blending theory with lively demonstrations, humor, and personal attention, he transforms reluctant learners into confident achievers. His interest in movies and child psychology strengthens his ability to connect with students, helping them grow as both learners and individuals. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

Dr. Chris Pedra’s challenges the belief that early achievement defines success, arguing instead that exploring diverse paths and learning from setbacks fosters resilience, growth, and long-term success in academics, sports, and life. Dr. Chris Pedra is the Head of Sports Medicine at Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital and Head of Sports Science and Medicine for Reliance Foundation Sports. With over 20 years of experience, he has worked with athletes from aspirants to Olympic elites across football, cricket, tennis, golf, badminton, and rugby. He served as Head Physio and Head of Recovery for Team India at the Paris 2024 Olympics. He holds a B.Sc. in Physiotherapy from the University of the Witwatersrand and an MPhil in Sports and Exercise Medicine from the University of Cape Town. His interests extend beyond performance and rehabilitation; he is passionate about helping people stay active and injury-free in today’s digital world. As a father of two, he is also deeply engaged in child and adult development pathways, combining physical and mental well-being. He enjoys an active lifestyle, being a keen runner who also enjoys football, golf, swimming and cycling, whenever possible. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

Ragini Maharaj, scion of the Kalka Bindadeen Gharana, brings classical Kathak to life with warmth, humour and hands-on rhythm. Through memories of learning from her grandfather and lively audience exercises, she demystifies Kathak’s numeric compositions and reveals how dance encodes complex mathematical patterns into joyous movement.She traces how choreography becomes storytelling, from the moral parables of ballets like “Loha” to playful pieces about bureaucracy, and argues that dance transcends gender: through expression one can embody both Shiva and Parvati, Krishna and Radha. Her talk is part history lesson, part interactive masterclass, and a passionate plea for greater respect and understanding of India’s classical performers. Ragini Maharaj, granddaughter of Pandit Birju Maharaj, is a distinguished Kathak dancer from the Kalka-Bindadin Gharana of Lucknow. Trained under her grandfather and Vidushi Mamta Maharaj, she has performed at renowned festivals across India, the U.S., Japan, South Korea, and Malaysia.She has played key roles in Pt. Birju Maharaj’s dance dramas like Kho-Kho, Meera Hari Rang Rachi, and Krishna-Dhyaan. Honored with awards like the Nritya Shringar Gandharv Award and Tarana Yuva Pratibha Award, she continues to preserve and promote the legacy of Kathak. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

Hridank Garodia talks about uncovering the hidden power of the overlooked, showing how microalgae, bacteria, fungi, and viruses once dismissed as useless can offer solutions to global challenges. Hridank Garodia, a 17-year-old Grade 12 student at DAIS, is driven by an insatiable curiosity and a constant urge to ask “why?” That spirit fuels his passion for scientific research and creative problem-solving. Whether exploring concepts in the lab or chasing golf balls on the fairway, he thrives on discipline, focus, and resilience. Golf has taught him patience and balance, while science has taught him to see connections across disciplines and turn ambitious ideas into practical solutions. Known for blending analytical rigor with imagination, Hridank sees challenges as opportunities to innovate. Beyond academics, he values humor, humility, and the ability to learn from setbacks. As he looks ahead, he hopes to use science and innovation to solve real-world problems that matter, applying knowledge not just for discovery’s sake, but for impact. For Hridank, curiosity is not a destination but a way of life, one that fuels his journey to understand, create, and contribute. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

Vibha Bakshi talks about the power of change, and how it has become especially necessary in the context of women empowerment in today's day and age. Dr. Vibha Chhabra Bakshi is an acclaimed filmmaker and producer whose work has transformed cinema into a tool for social change. A four-time National Film Award winner, the highest honour in Indian cinema, she is known for films that spark campaigns, shape policy, and inspire action. Her documentary Daughters of Mother India became a catalyst for gender sensitisation of over 150,000 police officers and was named the “Most Awarded Social Campaign in the World” by the Global Creative Index. Her follow-up, Son Rise, spotlighted men challenging patriarchy and was showcased by the United Nations across 71 countries as part of the #HeForShe movement. An alumna and Honorary Doctorate recipient of Boston University, Dr. Bakshi has also collaborated on international co-productions with HBO and Lifetime, including an Emmy-winning campaign against domestic violence. For her, films are not just stories - they are instruments of accountability and transformation. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx