Theme: Veiled Veracity

This year's theme, "Veiled Veracity," challenges us to confront the illusions that shape our lives and encourages us to embrace the courage to seek authentic understanding. In a world often clouded by confusion and uncertainty, this theme reminds us that beneath the surface lies a beacon of hope, guiding us toward clarity and strength.

Central Lecture Hall
CLH, IIT Patna, Bihta, Patna, Bihar, India
Patna, Bihar, 801106
India

Arsh Goyal

Senior Software Engineer

Arsh Goyal is a Senior Software Engineer at Samsung and was recognized as a LinkedIn Top Voice 2024 for his contributions to Generative AI. With a background in space technology as a former ISRO engineer, Arsh has consistently demonstrated excellence in his field, further evidenced by his status as a Gold Medalist from NIT Jalandhar.Beyond his professional accomplishments, Arsh is passionate about education and community building. He serves as an educator on Unacademy and is an active participant in the competitive coding community on CodeChef. His engaging content across YouTube and Instagram has garnered a following of over 200k, where he shares his insights on technology, coding, and career growth.

Manushi Jain

Co Founder and Director, Sponge Collaborative

Manushi, an Architect and Urban Designer, has worked globally since 2012 in cities like Boston, NYC, Singapore, Mumbai, Bangalore, Afghanistan, France, and Croatia. Her work focuses on making cities more sustainable and permeable, addressing urban housing, hyper-density, and resiliency in urban development. In Afghanistan, she contributed to rebuilding efforts through sustainable design practices. With a Master’s in Architecture and Urban Design from Pratt Institute, NY, she employs innovative methods to bridge the relationship between architecture and urban design. She received the Creative Thesis Design Medal by A+D magazine and has been shortlisted for various international design competitions.

Neha Agrawal

Senior math educator

Neha Agrawal is an influential educator and content creator, known for her innovative teaching methods in mathematics. She has made significant contributions through her online platforms, simplifying complex mathematical concepts and making them accessible to a wide audience. Neha's dedication to education has garnered her a large following, especially among students preparing for competitive exams. She emphasizes clarity and understanding in learning, promoting a passion for mathematics.

Pankaj Jha

Actor, Writer, Painter and Director

Pankaj Jha is an actor by profession and a passionate painter. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts from Patna University and has held six solo painting exhibitions. Jha owns an art studio in Pune, where he often escapes city life to create vibrant artworks. A born actor, he began performing street plays in his village in Bihar and later graduated from the National School of Drama. Jha made his film debut in ‘Monsoon Wedding’ and has starred in notable films like ‘Black Friday’, ‘Gulaal’, ‘Chameli’, and ‘Company’. He has also appeared in OTT shows like ‘Mirzapur’, ‘Panchayat 2’, ‘Mimi’, and ‘Nirmal Pathak Ki Ghar Wapasi’.

Priyanka Tripathi

Associate Professor of English

Priyanka Tripathi is an Associate Professor of English and former Head of the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences at the Indian Institute of Technology Patna (India). She is also the Co-Executive Editor of the Journal of International Women’s Studies (published by Bridgewater State University). She has been awarded the prestigious Charles Wallace India Trust Visiting Fellowship (2024-25) at the School of History, University of Leeds. She was also awarded the IPD Visiting Research Fellowship (2022-23) at IASH, University of Edinburgh. She has published extensively and works in the areas of Gender Studies, South Asian Fiction, GeoHumanities, and Graphic Novels

Satyanshu Singh

Filmmaker, writer and professor of cinema

Satyanshu Singh is a National Award-winning filmmaker, writer, and professor of cinema. He co-directed the feature film “Chintu Ka Birthday” (2020) and wrote poems for “Udaan” (2010). His short film “Tamaash” won several awards, including a National Award. Satyanshu has also written lyrics for films like “Sulemani Keeda” and “Ferrari Ki Sawaari”. He conducts screenwriting workshops and has been involved in mentoring programs. Recently, he co-directed the Sony LIV series “Jehanabad - Of Love & War”.

Swastika Rajput

Storyteller and Photographer

Swastika Rajput is a storyteller who turned her passion for writing and the arts into a powerful journey of self-discovery. Trained as a nurse, she found a new path through photography, capturing authentic emotions and building an inclusive community of nearly 470k Instagram followers and 350k YouTube subscribers where her voice echoes. She has embraced her journey of coming out as queer despite her average circumstances. She faced setbacks but stayed true to her heart, ultimately earning a standing ovation from 600 people, proving that perseverance and passion lead to success.