The recently held TEDxPanaji 2025 went beyond being just an event: it was a celebration of ideas, innovation and community spirit. With its theme “It’s About Time!”, the event brought together leaders, young innovators and artists under one roof at Kala Academy, Goa. Curated and organised by Ravi Kambhoj, TEDxPanaji 2025 reaffirmed its place as a melting pot of global and grassroots ideas.
The recently held TEDxPanaji event featured a diverse range of speakers who shed light on timely and compelling topics. From a marine biologist, an advocate for girls’ rights, Goa’s very own nightingale, an aesthetic gynaecologist, to a 12-year-old diabetes advocate, Kala Academy, Goa, hosted 10 diverse and notable speakers. Themed ‘It’s About Time!’, the event’s line-up featured Dr Ravidas Krishna Naik, scientist and Antarctica explorer; Summaiya Afreen, changemaker challenging the ‘good girl’ script; Sonia Shirsat, award-winning Goan singer sharing songs of heritage; Dr Parul Saoji, infertility specialist addressing women’s health with bold honesty; and the youngest voice on the TEDxPanaji 2025 stage, Samaira Pansare, a 12-year-old advocate speaking her diabetic truth, among other notable speakers.
While the afternoon was about knowledge sharing, the talks were preceded by a showcase of creativity and novel ideas in the Innovation Hub. Here, 20 innovators from across Goa and beyond showcased pathbreaking ideas in healthcare, sustainability, artificial intelligence, clean technology and education. From innovative technologies in clearing metal and concrete dust, a medical diagnostic kit that manages urinary tract infections (UTI), to the use of drones in large infrastructure projects, each idea celebrated the spirit of innovation by bringing bold future-ready tech directly to the community.
And bringing all these together was one man whose name is now synonymous with out-of-the-box events – curator and organiser Ravi Kambhoj. Speaking about this year’s edition, Ravi says, “Every edition of TEDxPanaji has its own identity, but this year’s theme ‘It’s About Time!’ turned the event into more than just a series of talks, it became a shared experience that kept people immersed till the very end.”
Further elucidating on the relevance of the theme, Ravi says, “The theme this year was highly relevant: it’s about time we addressed climate change and sustainability in actionable ways; that we recognised young innovators solving problems that often go unnoticed. And that we redefined Goa beyond tourism, making space for creativity, entrepreneurship and knowledge-sharing.
Delay in these areas would mean missed opportunities to protect our environment, empower our youth and shape Goa’s future.”
Having worked as a creative producer in the past and conceptualised events like PechaKucha, Ravi has carved a niche for himself in the event space in Goa. He believes that the state has a lot of potential and these stories, ideas and talents need larger platforms.
“In New Zealand, I saw how festivals were not just entertainment but spaces where communities came alive. That experience taught me the importance of inclusivity, attention to detail and respect for cultural context. Those lessons were a roadmap to organising TEDxPanaji 2025,” he shares.
For Ravi, Goa has always been home. After years abroad, he felt a strong pull to give back to his fellow Indians. Having worked on creative festivals abroad and witnessing the power of ideas that can shape communities, Ravi felt that TEDxPanaji was the right vehicle to bring those voices forward and ensure that Goan thinkers, doers and innovators are heard, both locally and globally. “My earlier projects, like PechaKucha and other storytelling platforms, allowed me to understand how Goans engage with ideas and culture. They laid the foundation of trust and experimentation that naturally led to TEDxPanaji,” he shares.
Thus, he and his team meticulously prepared and selected the speakers, seeking authentic stories and ideas that are both locally relevant and globally resonant. “Our speakers ranged from established thought leaders to first-time storytellers. Diversity was key — across disciplines, generations and perspectives. Most importantly, each talk had to carry an idea worth spreading, one that sparks conversation and action,” says Ravi about the lineup for the event.
Goa’s evolving ethos and cultural milieu have slowly broken the shackles of stereotypes that weighed down the state’s image and perception. Ravi believes that with young people establishing startups, artists experimenting with mediums and themes, citizens asking tough questions, Goa’s culture and ideas are shaping its identity and future. And this is resonant across all the events he has set up. “Formats like PechaKucha, Kisse Kahania or Bhadass Bhopu were experimental, playful and personal in different ways. With TEDxPanaji, we wanted to enable and propel the growth that the state has been witnessing and inspire its people to act. TEDxPanaji carries the weight of the global TED brand, which demands sharp curation and international standards. Yet, at its heart, it has the same mission: to give people a space to be heard,” he shares.
Apart from giving voice to people, Ravi also believes that events should be a balance of entertainment and information, to keep the community engaged. “At TEDxPanaji, we had four powerful performances that brought energy and creativity to the stage. We ensured that TEDxPanaji 2025 was a living snapshot of Goa’s ideas, talent and spirit,” he says.
Speaking about how he envisions Goa of the future, Ravi says, “I see a Goa where local innovators address real challenges and inspire global audiences. Our speakers showcased how deeply rooted, locally relevant ideas can have a worldwide impact.
Their presence on the TEDxPanaji stage told the community that change begins right here.”
