Dr. Pankaj Parashar
Dr. Pankaj Parashar, is an alumnus of Tirathbai Kalachand Higher Secondary School, Class of 1998 and an innovator at the intersection of medicine and engineering. He has over 18 years of experience in healthcare. He is the founder of Cutting Edge Medical Devices, a start-up dedicated to developing affordable, ground breaking medical technologies. Currently, he is working on a smart point-of-care diagnostic device for urinary micro-protein estimation, a project poised to revolutionize healthcare delivery.
Dr. Pankaj’s contributions have been recognized with more than 26 awards, including grants from the Government of India and various international organizations. His device has been successfully validated at AIIMS, demonstrating remarkable accuracy. In addition to his innovations, Dr. Pankaj actively mentors future innovators through organizations like AICTE, Ministry of Education, Government of India and the Royal Academy of Engineering, London, and shares his expertise with students even at esteemed institutions like IITs and IIMs.
Ms. Dashma Soni
Dashma Soni is an alumnus of Choithram School, Class of 2008. She is an accomplished architect and urban designer with a decade of experience specializing in waterfront and riverfront development, pedestrian safety, and creating vibrant public realms. A Gold Medalist in Urban Design from School of Planning and Architecture Bhopal, she excels at integrating innovative, context-sensitive solutions into large-scale urban projects.
Her professional journey spans interdisciplinary collaboration with architects, planners, and infrastructure experts. Adept at stakeholder management, she has worked closely with government bodies, facilitating client interactions, public outreach, and consensus-building through workshops and consultations. With a keen eye for detail, a commitment to lifelong learning, and a passion for storytelling, she leverages her technical and communication skills to create resilient, inclusive, and sustainable urban environments.
Ms. Neekita Hatvalne Mulchandani
Neekita Hatvalne Mulchandani is an alumnus of Choithram School North Campus, Class of 2013. She is an architect with over five years of experience in design, construction techniques, and sustainable practices. She is currently a Design Architect with BCM Group in Indore, leading design solutions and project coordination. Previously, she worked as a CAD Designer at Molteni C C | DADA in Dubai, creating modular kitchen and wardrobe designs while collaborating with clients.
Neekita holds a Master of Engineering Leadership in High- Performance Buildings from UBC Vancouver, specializing in green building practices. Earlier, she served as a Project Architect at MOFA Architects in Hyderabad, where she gained expertise in fire codes for high-rise buildings, MIVAN technology, and construction documentation. Her career is further enriched by her involvement in Laurie Baker’s sustainable design principles and mentoring interns in collaborative environments.
Ms. Zainab Matkawala
Zainab Matkawala is an alumnus of Choithram International, Class of 2013 A Level Batch. Presently she is the CEO and Founder of Erised, a high-end fashion brand that has gained national recognition and is expanding into international markets. Her designs have been worn by celebrities such as Ayushmann Khurrana, Jim Sarbh, and Arjun Rampal, among others. Known for her relentless pursuit of excellence, Zainab built her brand from the ground up, refusing to settle for anything less than her vision.
Her philosophy is simple: failure is only permanent if you stop—and stopping is never an option. Through years of persistence and execution, she has established Erised as a leading name in Indian fashion, now making its mark globally. Zainab brings this same no-excuses, no-backup-plan mindset for her community members, inspiring them to commit fully to their vision and push forward, no matter what obstacles stand in the way.
Ms. Nikita Gandhe
Nikita Gandhe is a grade 12 Commerce Student of Choithram School and a CA aspirant who has been an active presence in the TEDEd club since grade 7 where she anchored for the Lumos Event. She became an official member of the club in grade 11. An active debater and MUNer, Nikita enjoys Geopolitics and frequently indulges in studying Global Economic trends.
Having bagged several laurels for the school, Nikita became the 3rd place winner in The Topical Talk Festival organised by the UK-based The Economist Foundation. An environmentalist, Nikita frequently advocates for sustainability and animal protection as well.
Mr. Ishaan Arya
Ishaan Arya, a DP 2 student at Choithram International, is a passionate individual with a deep interest in creative writing and the performing arts. His enduring love for music has been a driving force in his life, inspiring him to play the piano since his early childhood. Over the years, this dedication has cultivated his understanding and appreciation of music's emotional and cultural power.
Ms. Anvesha Rishi
Anvesha Rishi is a 17 year old happy teenager, studying in grade 11 of Choithram School North Campus and is a member of the school's TEDEd Club. The sound of flowing water, soft grass brushing against her feet, and a playful dog in a wide meadow is how she pictures her happy place.
Three things she immensely cares about are: her friends, her womanhood and mother Earth. She is a gold awardee at Commonwealth Essay Writing Competition and has won a couple of awards from the Ministry of Education, China for her skills at writing and debating. Anvesha embodies traits of strength, wisdom, and resilience.
Ms. Simardeep Kaur Chhabra
Simardeep Kaur Chhabra, a grade XI student at Tirathbai Kalachand School, is known for her creativity, enthusiasm, and love for learning. A passionate reader, she enjoys exploring diverse ideas through books, which fuel her curiosity and broaden her perspective. As a dedicated TEDEd member, Simardeep actively supports her peers and mentors juniors, fostering collaboration and a positive environment within her school. Her leadership skills and commitment to helping others reflect her determination to make a difference.