An idea can change the world and its future. Be Inspired is a curated series of conversations with domain experts and thought leaders, focusing on enhancing our understanding of the tremendous range of human endeavor unfolding around us. Be Inspired explores endeavors which, if given a clear path to fruition, can transform our collective futures. Launched in 2021, the series is both virtual and on-ground, with bi-monthly online episodes and the first physical event in India, slated for 15 April, 2023.
For the very first time in India, after a successful on-ground event at Dubai Expo 2020 in February 2022, Be Inspired will have a daylong on-ground Festival of Ideas on 15 April at India International Center, New Delhi, to be continued annually. Encompassing a slew of genres and a commitment to both technology and nature, conversations on 15 April will span healthcare, AI, environment, space travel, education and more and a vision to take viewers on a path into the future.
On the morning of 15 April, the inaugural address will be delivered by Prof Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific advisor to the Govt of India, followed by addresses by Shyam Saran, president, India International Centre and former diplomat, and Sanjoy K Roy, managing director, Teamwork Arts.
Commenting on this important initiative for which the knowledge partner has been the Office of the Principal Scientific advisor to the Govt of India – Prof Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific advisor to the Govt of India, said, “Our scientific fraternity and young innovators have been striving to make a social and industrial impact. Teamwork Arts has carefully crafted and chosen iconic scientists and technologists to showcase innovations and research deliverables on emerging thematic areas with the support of my office through these series. I wish the Be Inspired Series the very best to make science communication effective and reach the masses. It is encouraging to witness creative communities step up and collaborate with scientists to make the world aware of the rich contributions of science.”
Sanjoy K Roy, managing director, Teamwork Arts, said, “The future of our world needs to be propelled by innovation that pivots towards sustainability and equitable access. Be Inspired has been igniting young minds through a wide range of conversations with domain experts and innovators ever since the lockdown of 2021 and this is the first time we are bringing the dynamism of those dialogs on ground in the national capital and we are very excited to host thought leaders across cutting-edge science and tech.”
Discussing paradigm changes we can look forward to in healthcare, the Principal Scientific advisor to the Govt of India, Prof Ajay Kumar Sood; former CEO, National Health Authority, R S Sharma; and executive vice president – Global Operations, Indegene, Anand Kiran will be in conversation with Sanjoy K Roy, managing director, Teamwork Arts. The speakers will explore if big pharma, innovative diagnostic tools, technology platforms, AI-enabled surgery, and patient-centric treatment can lead to the paradigm shift the world needs.
Sanitation, education, and medicines that include vaccines and antibiotics, have increased human life and reduced early and mid-life mortality. Research needs to now focus on mental health as we age, and deal with Alzheimer’s, dementia and more. How can we track the maze of the mind as our bodies age? To throw light on the topic will be eminent psychiatrist, Dr Sanjay Chugh; global ambassador for Ageing, HelpAge international, chair of CARE India, Mathew Cherian; senior consultant, Psychiatry, Apollo Hospitals, Dr Achal Bhagat. The session will be moderated by founder-director, Ashoka Centre for well-being, Arvinder J Singh.
At a conversation around India’s upcoming first crewed orbital spacecraft mission, Gaganyaan, distinguished scientist and director, Human Space Flight Centre, ISRO, Dr Umamaheswaran R will speak on how this mission will navigate the myriad challenges of outer space. He will be in conversation with well-known journalist and executive editor at NDTV, Vishnu Som.
Vaccines have helped fight diseases for 200+ years. Childhood vaccines reduced illness and death in developed countries, and flu vaccines are common worldwide. However, some diseases still lack effective vaccines and there are large swathes of regions without proper vaccination infrastructure. DAE-Homi Bhabha chair professor at the National Centre for Biological Sciences of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research and Former Principal Scientific advisor to GoI, Prof K VijayRaghavan, and former secretary of Health, Govt of India, C K Mishra will explore how new research address can these challenges. They will be in conversation with biochemist and writer Pranay Lal.
India’s EdTech landscape involves diverse stakeholders. EdTech Tulna, an evidence-driven evaluation index developed by IITB researchers and supported by Central Square Foundation, evaluates products based on content quality, pedagogical alignment, and technology and design. Can EdTech evaluation really transform the learning and teaching experience? To discuss this, there will be Vice President of Samagra, Aditya Chopra, and Director, India office of the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation, Samar Bajaj, in conversation with Gouri Gupta from Central Square Foundation Advances in artificial intelligence, the transformation wrought by ChatGPT and machine learning are dramatically changing our lives already. To explore the final frontier where machines take over our minds completely will be National Technology officer, Microsoft India, Rohini Srivathsa and technology entrepreneur and author of The Great Tech Game, Anirudh Suri, in conversation with Trisha Ray, deputy director – Centre for Security, Strategy and Technology, Observer Research Foundation.
The Festival is presented in partnership with the Office of the Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India, the United Nations India Office, Science Gallery Bengaluru, India International Centre (IIC), Indegene, Central Square Foundation and The Leela Hotel.
