About TEDx
In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TED has created a program called TEDx. TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. Our event is called TEDxIMIKolkata, where x = independently organized TED event. At our TEDxIMIKolkata event, live speakers will combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events, including ours, are self-organized.
The Speakers
TEDx IMIKolkata will witness the presence of enthusiastic speakers sparking conversation across multidisciplinary topics catering to a blend of corporate and academic communities. Each speaker will be delivering an 18-minute talk followed by a networking session for facilitating conversation.
Debashis Sen
Topic: “Climate Change: How to Involve the Community”
Debashis Sen joined the IAS in 1985. He was Chairman of New Town DA for a decade and was instrumental in developing New Town Kolkata from scratch into a Platinum-rated Green Smart City.
An alumnus of ENA, France, he did his post-MSc associateship from Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics. He has been an Additional Chief Secretary in the Urban Development and Information Technology Department for several years and the chief electoral officer for five years.
He is the Founder & CEO of NBC Ltd, which does policy advocacy on using AI for a sustainable development.
He is a pioneer in AI Art on Canvas and has done several exhibitions. He has also opened an AI Art gallery, probably the only one of its kind in the country.
Debashis’s commitment to community service is further demonstrated by his role as the President of the Resident Welfare Committee in his locality. His dedication to improving the lives of the community around him by adopting a sustainable lifestyle is a testament to his leadership and civic responsibility.
Anurag Singal
Topic: “Sustainable Investing – Key Trends”
Anurag Singal comes from a Chartered Accountancy ( All India Rank 22) background and holds an MBA from IIM Ahmedabad . He has worked for 15 years across Deloitte, ITC, Tata Steel, Aditya Birla Group. Now he runs CAJobPortal.com – India’s first jobsite exclusively for finance professionals and BetaFin Partners into Virtual CFO Services for Startups. He has been a Guest Faculty at IIM Lucknow, XLRI Jamshedpur, IIM Kashipur, IIFT etc and has taken corporate training sessions at Tata Steel, TCPL, RPG etc.
Sujit Paul
Topic: Advancing Health and Sustainability: Pathways to a Better Tomorrow
Dr. Sujit Paul, a renowned coach, mentor, and author for many in India and across the globe, is the Group CEO of Zota Healthcare Ltd. He spearheads both domestic and international business operations with over 25 years of exemplary leadership across diverse industries. A seasoned industry veteran, he has a proven track record of establishing, scaling, and managing operations for globally recognized brands, including Reliance Pharma Retail, Asian Paints, Bata, Kodak, Apollo Pharmacy, Trust Pharmacy, Columbia Asia Hospital, CAH Clinics, and more. His expertise spans healthcare, retail, and beyond, and he has also served as a consultant and advisor to prestigious international beauty and retail brands. A true motivational and sought-after leader, his recent TEDx talk in India marked a milestone for professionals worldwide. Renowned as a thought leader, coach, and mentor, Dr. Sujit Paul’s enduring contributions not only drive the industries he leads but also inspire a new generation of leaders to pursue excellence with vision and purpose.
Ranju Gopal Barman
Topic: “How Farmers Can Contribute to a Sustainable Fuel Economy to Combat Climate Change.”
Born and raised in the coastal region of West Bengal, India, Ranju is a proud alumnus of Jadavpur University, Kolkata, and NIT Karnataka, Surathkal. With over a decade of experience leading diverse teams and executing large-scale environmental projects, he founded an engineering consultancy focused on designing solutions and providing expert advice for environmental challenges.
Ranju has been instrumental in developing large-scale industrial water treatment plants and implementing integrated solid waste management projects for the World Bank. His innovative work has earned him notable accolades, including the IIT Madras Engineering Design Award in 2008 and the Bangkok International Business Challenge in 2021, Asia’s longest-running global student start-up competition, for his decentralized green waste management concept.
Pallavi Luharuka
Topic: Contradictions in Sustainability
Pallavi, is the Founder and CEO at Royal Bengal Greentech Private Limited. A Gold Medalist in Chemical Engineering, a Cost Accountant and an MBA. She spent 10+ yrs with leading MNCs like Honeywell and Grace before starting RBG last year. She holds 5 patents, two out of which are with RBG. Her vision is to transform the MSME sector by making sustainable technology innovations affordable. Within 2 years of Incorporation RBG was able to file two patents, three trademarks, develop, launch and commercialize GREEZY/GREEZOL – 100% eco-friendly lubricants (zero petroleum, zero animal fat) for 360 degree sustainability solution for industrial as well as automotive sector, achieve breakeven within 6 months of manufacturing, convert RBG into an award-winning startup with accolades like the TiE50 Global Winner, Silicon Valley USA, Maruti Suzuki Idea Hunt East Winner, 2024, GoI & DST Nominee for ASEAN Malaysia, 2023, the only Indian start-up to be nominated by the US Department of State for Tech Summit in Taiwan, 2023, AWE India champion 2023, TiE Women Global Pitch Competition Finalist 2023 and now ready to commercialize BhavisyaPlast – Bioplastic of the future!
Dr. Tirthankar Nag [Organiser & Licensee]
Ms. Satabdi B. Chakraborty [Event Management]
