TEDxYOUTH@DAIS

In a world overflowing with noise, distraction, and fleeting trends, light remains the clearest guide. TEDxDAIS Youth returned in 2025 with the theme illuminate - an invitation to shed light on ideas, stories, and perspectives that deserve to be seen and heard.

illuminate went beyond the literal sense of brightness; it celebrated those moments when a spark becomes a flame - when a personal story transforms into something powerful enough to ignite inspiration in others. It called on us to notice what hides in the shadows, to seek truth through clarity, and to carry forward sparks that challenge, provoke, uplift, and connect.

As the auditorium came alive, seven remarkable speakers took the stage, each refracting the evening’s theme through their own unique prism of thought. Their talks spanned filmmaking and social change, sports medicine and resilience, artificial intelligence and the future of work, fine dining and creativity, motorsport and perseverance, physics and second chances, and even the unseen intelligence of nature.

Together, their voices formed a constellation of ideas - illuminating pathways of innovation, empathy, and imagination that reached far beyond the walls of the auditorium.

By the time the final applause faded, the glow of illuminate remained — not just on stage, but within every listener. It was a reminder that every change begins with an “i”, and that each of us carries within us the spark to light the world.

Student Heads

Arav Kaul and Ahana Kanoi, Grade 12

Dr. Vibha Bakshi:

Filmmaker

Dr. Vibha Chhabra Bakshi is an acclaimed filmmaker, producer, and four-time National Film Award winner. Her documentary Daughters of Mother India was used to gender-sensitise over 150,000 police officers, earning global recognition as the world’s most awarded social campaign. Her follow-up film, Son Rise, spotlighting men who challenge patriarchy, was showcased by the United Nations in 71 countries as part of the #HeForShe movement. An alumna and Honorary Doctorate of Boston University, Dr. Bakshi has also co-produced with HBO and Lifetime, collaborating with Oscar-winning filmmakers on international campaigns for social change.

At TEDxDAIS Youth 2025, Dr. Bakshi reflected on her journey of producing Daughters of Mother India and Son Rise, films that she considers deeply personal as a self-described “daughter of Mother India.” She spoke about the power of asking the uncomfortable questions that others shy away from, and how storytelling can spark dialogue on issues often left in silence. Her talk illuminated the courage it takes to confront difficult truths, and the role of film as a force for awareness, empathy, and transformation.

Dr. Chris Pedra:

Head of Sports Medicine at RF Hospital

Dr. Chris Pedra is the Head of Sports Medicine at Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital and Head of Sports Science and Medicine at Reliance Foundation Sports. With over two decades of experience across football, cricket, tennis, golf, badminton, and rugby, he has worked with athletes from grassroots talent to elite Olympians, including serving as Head of Physio and Recovery for Team India at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

At TEDxDAIS Youth 2025, Dr. Pedra challenged the idea that success requires a fixed path from an early age. Drawing on the concept of sampling before specialising, he contrasted Roger Federer’s broad sporting background with Tiger Woods’ early specialisation to show how variety makes us more adaptable and resilient in the long-run. Extending the lesson beyond sport, he shared how icons like Steve Jobs, Sara Blakely, Melanie Perkins, among others found success through zig-zags, not straight lines. His message was to not fear uncertainty because your explorations will shape your strength, and the most important choice you make in life may not be about your career at all, but about the partner you choose to share it with.

Abhinav Aggarwal:

DAIS alumnus from the class of 2009

Abhinav Aggarwal, DAIS alumnus from the class of 2009, is the founder of Fluid AI, a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, and a global voice in the future of artificial intelligence. Through his work, he has pioneered AI solutions that bridge technology with real-world decision-making across industries.

At TEDxDAIS Youth 2025, Abhinav explored how the value of human skills is shifting from codified knowledge to tacit expertise, a space where machines can assist, but not replace, uniquely human judgment. He questioned why generative AI, despite its promise, has not yet been widely adopted, pointing to our tendency for status quo bias. His talk also came with a clear warning: some jobs will inevitably become obsolete, and mediocrity will no longer be tolerated in an AI-driven world. Yet, his message was not one of fear but of preparation, that the future belongs to those willing to adapt, evolve, and lean into the skills machines cannot replicate.

Aditi Dugar:

Founder of Masque

Aditi Dugar is the founder of Masque, India’s first tasting-menu-only restaurant, and the force behind TwentySeven Bakehouse, Bar Paradox, and Circle Sixty Nine. By celebrating India’s produce in new and inventive ways, she has redefined fine dining and earned Masque the title of Best Restaurant in India on Asia’s 50 Best for four years in a row.

At TEDxDAIS Youth 2025, Aditi challenged the idea that life must fit neatly into one box. Drawing on her journey in food and entrepreneurship, she showed how, like light through a prism, our lives reveal their brightest spectrum when we allow passions to intersect. For her, the intersections between tradition and innovation, risk and creativity are where the most meaningful breakthroughs happen. Her talk left the audience with a call to resist narrow definitions of success and instead embrace the vibrant possibilities that come from daring to mix, blend, and illuminate.

Jehan Daruvala:

India’s leading motorsport talents

Jehan Daruvala is one of India’s leading motorsport talents, whose career began in karting as a child in Mumbai. He has raced in Formula 2, securing 4 wins and 18 podiums, and has competed in Formula E with Maserati. Jehan has also tested Formula 1 cars with McLaren and raced against some of the best drivers in the world. Despite his achievements and competitive spirit, he remains grounded and values balance, humility, and the joy of simple things, making his journey inspiring both on and off the track.

At TEDxDAISYouth 2025, Jehan revealed how he succeeded at racing with the same grit and calm he’s applied in all other avenues of life; despite hurdles in pursuing professional racing, he explained how an experience lasting merely one second changed the trajectory of his career. Moreover, he explained how despite not reaching Formula 1, racing has imparted some of his most valuable life lessons due to the strenuous nature of Formula 2. His talk inspired the audience on how to follow their passions and enjoy the process of pursuing a dream, as ‘end goals’ exist only in one’s mind.

Murali S.:

IGCSE and IBDP teacher at DAIS

Murali Sir is a respected IGCSE and IBDP teacher at DAIS, known for making physics come alive. A qualified Electronics and Communication Engineer, he started his career in the IT industry before discovering his passion for teaching in 2009. In 2014, Murali Sir transitioned to international curricula. He went on to earn a Master’s in Education with a 100% IB scholarship. Known for blending theory with lively demonstrations, humour, and individual attention, Murali Sir’s ability to connect with students shapes not only strong performers but curious minds.

At TEDxDAIS Youth 2025, Murali Sir drew from both physics and personal experience to show how the same forces that push us down can become the energy that drives us forward. He shared his journey of drifting through school without ambition, failing multiple subjects, facing 11 job rejections, losing jobs overnight, and watching his business collapse. Each challenge, instead of being a dead end, became a redirection, guiding him toward his true calling as an educator. His story reminded the audience that setbacks are not failures, but catalysts that can reshape purpose and fuel resilience.

Hridank Garodia:

Student

Hridank Garodia is a 17-year-old Grade 12 student at DAIS whose curiosity spans everything from science to philosophy, driven by a constant urge to ask “why?” That question fuels his passion for scientific research and problem-solving. When he’s not chasing ideas in the lab, he’s chasing golf balls across the fairway, a sport that has taught him patience, focus, and how to laugh off a bad shot. Known for combining analytical rigor with creativity, Hridank thrives at the intersection of disciplines, often turning ambitious ideas into practical solutions. He hopes to use science and innovation to tackle challenges that truly matter to the world.

At TEDxDAIS Youth 2025, Hridank challenged the audience to rethink how we see the world by uncovering the hidden power of what we often overlook or dismiss. He began with the story of microalgae, once seen as nothing more than green stains ruining buildings, revealing their ability to absorb CO₂, purify air, and even repair concrete. From there, he opened up a world of “invisible heroes”: plastic-eating bacteria breaking down waste, fungi cleaning up oil spills, and genetically edited viruses fighting cancer. His idea was about challenging the labels of “useless” or “ugly,” and recognising that within the overlooked often lie the solutions to our greatest global challenges.