Overview
TEDxPCU 2026: आविर्भाव – Ideas Manifested Inspires Innovation and New Perspectives
Pimpri Chinchwad University (PCU), Pune, hosted its first TEDx event, TEDxPCU 2026, on 9 October 2026 at the university auditorium. Centred on the theme “आविर्भाव: Ideas Manifested,” the event brought together inspiring speakers, industry leaders and thought-provoking perspectives to encourage innovation, creativity and meaningful action.
The event was convened by Dr. Girish Desai, Executive Director, PCET, Dr. Santosh S. Sonavane, Vice Chancellor, PCU, and organised with the support of Dr. Pranav Charkha, Director – Innovation, Incubation & Industry Relations (III & IR), and Dr. Anju Bala, Director – Student Development & Welfare. also supported the university’s efforts in bringing this platform to campus.
The programme was graced by Guests of Honour Mr. Hrishikesh Dhanade, Deputy Director, Pune International Centre, and Mr. Santosh Khairnar, President – Corporate Strategy, INOXWIND.
Nine Speakers, Diverse Ideas and Inspiring Journeys
TEDxPCU 2026 featured nine speakers from diverse professional backgrounds who shared insights on technology, leadership, personal growth, resilience and innovation. The speakers were Sagar Babar, Co-Founder, President & Chief AI Officer at Comsense; Saurabh Bhosale, Marathi stand-up comedian, digital creator and storyteller; Sarika Kharbanda, Global Lean Change Agent and Change Hacker; Mukesh Jain, Chief Technology Officer and Executive Vice President at Capgemini; Rahul Trivedi, Assistant Professor at Marwadi University and Associate NLP Practitioner; Subhash Talekar, President of the Mumbai Dabbawala Association and motivational speaker; Aarshad Devani, Senior AI Architect at Cobweb; Pulkit Handaa, Human Resources Leader and Leadership Advocate; and Chinmay Mahale, former Indian Army Officer Cadet, former Air Force Trainee Flying Officer and Founder of Defence Mavericks.
Through their experiences and perspectives, the speakers encouraged participants to question conventional thinking, embrace change and recognise the potential of ideas to create meaningful impact. Their talks explored the importance of taking initiative, building effective teams, adapting to technological change, developing self-awareness and pursuing goals with discipline and purpose.
Leadership, Learning and Innovation Beyond the Classroom
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Santosh S. Sonavane, Vice Chancellor, PCU, highlighted the significance of hosting the university’s first TEDx event. He emphasised that education extends beyond classroom boundaries and that platforms such as TEDx expose students to new ideas, perspectives and experiences. He also highlighted PCU’s focus on industry-driven education, innovation and emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence, the Internet of Things, smart manufacturing and supercomputing.
Mr. Hrishikesh Dhanade highlighted the value of experiential learning and exposure beyond conventional academic settings. He encouraged participants to engage with new ideas and remain conscious of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Mr. Santosh Khairnar spoke about the essence of Avirbhav—the emergence of an idea from within and its transformation into action through courage, discipline and consistent effort. Referring to emerging fields such as clean energy and semiconductors, he encouraged students to remain curious, ask questions and explore possibilities beyond established boundaries.
Celebrating Ideas That Create Impact
The event also featured the felicitation of distinguished speakers, including Subhash Talekar, Mukesh Jain, Chinmay Mahale and Rahul Trivedi, in recognition of their professional journeys and contributions to their respective fields.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks acknowledging the university leadership, guests, faculty coordinators, organisers, sponsors and everyone who contributed to the event’s successful execution.
TEDxPCU 2026 marked an important milestone for Pimpri Chinchwad University, reinforcing its commitment to creating opportunities for students to engage with industry leaders, explore diverse perspectives and develop a spirit of innovation. Through the theme “आविर्भाव: Ideas Manifested,” the event encouraged participants to move beyond inspiration and transform their ideas into purposeful action.
