TEDxStAloysius 2026 Inaugurated at St Aloysius (Deemed to be University)
Mangaluru: The inauguration of the 5th edition of TEDxStAloysius, themed “Unwritten Threads of Thoughts,” was held at St Aloysius (Deemed to be University) in the LF Rasquinha Hall, LCRI Block, on Saturday, 21 February 2026.
The Chief Guest of the programme, Adv. P. Ranjan Rao, along with other dignitaries on the dais, formally inaugurated the event.
Addressing the gathering, Adv. P. Ranjan Rao expressed his gratitude to the Vice-Chancellor, Rev. Dr. Praveen Martis SJ, and Dr. Dinesh Nayak, Staff Convenor, for the invitation. Calling himself a proud Aloysian, he remarked that returning to the institution is always a matter of great joy and pride. He emphasized that education remains the most powerful medium in nation-building and conveyed his firm belief that every student graduating from the institution possesses the potential to scale great heights and contribute meaningfully to society.
The Guest of Honour, Mr. Gavin Mathias, CEO of Mathias Aluminium Systems Pvt Ltd, spoke about the subtle ways in which fear influences human thought. He observed that fear rarely appears as fear itself, but often disguises itself as logical reasoning. Quoting, “The most powerful shifts in life don’t begin with applause; they begin with thoughts — invisible, unwritten, unspoken,” he encouraged students to reflect deeply on their inner narratives.
Presiding over the event, Rev. Dr. Praveen Martis SJ, Vice-Chancellor, highlighted the significance of the fifth edition of TEDxStAloysius and acknowledged the valuable efforts of the staff and students in organizing the programme. He urged students to understand the journeys of the speakers and draw inspiration from them rather than imitate them, noting that success is built on persistence, hard work, perseverance and passion. Quoting A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, he reminded students that dreams lead to thoughts and thoughts lead to actions, encouraging them to apply Aloysian values in their chosen fields.
The list of speakers for TEDxStAloysius 2026 includes Hritik Sharma, entrepreneur, educator and podcaster; Simrun Chopra, certified nutritionist and fitness coach; Mariyam Hussain, fashion stylist, influencer and content creator; Dr. P. P. Devan, veteran ENT specialist; Leeza Kiran Rodrigues, educator, wellness practitioner and media host; Advika Shetty, nationally recognised dancer, actor and Yakshagana artiste; Zabi Khan, Indian animal rights activist and United Nations awardee; Prashanth S. Nayaka, founder of ChaayaArtLight and award-winning filmmaker, photographer and cinematographer; Colonel Arun Iyer, Indian Army veteran; and Hemant Sharma, Co-founder of Claygrounds by Plaza and sports entrepreneur.
The programme commenced with a welcome address by Dr. Dinesh Nayak, Staff Convenor. The vote of thanks was proposed by Ms. Aldrina A. M., Staff Co-convenor. The event was efficiently compered by Ms. Sheba Ann Saju.
The second day of TEDxStAloysius 2026 will be held on 22 February 2026 at the LF Rasquinha Hall, LCRI Block, beginning at 9:30 a.m., featuring a dynamic lineup of speakers from diverse fields and promising insightful discussions and a memorable experience for all attendees.
