INK is an annual conference that is held every year that brings together
the brightest minds across the globe on one platform. It is India’s foremost
platform for the exchange of cutting – edge ideas and inspiring stories and
since its inception in 2010, it has become one of India’s premier networking
and conference experiences. This conference attracts a number of the
visionaries such as CEOs, entrepreneurs, artists, technologists and scientists,
amongst others, who participate in a three-day immersive experience, specially
tailored to foster cross-disciplinary interaction. This year, the seventh
edition of the conference will be held in Goa with an incredible line-up of
speakers who will share insights on topics ranging from innovations in
education, health technology and the arts.
The theme of INK2016 is Kaleidoscope, fitting right in with the
fusion of exponential conversations that will take place at the conference, to
the multitude of cultures that will come together as well as the splendour Goa
has to offer. Commenting on this year’s theme, Lakshmi Pratury, the host and
curator of the INK Conference, says that INK shares a lot in common with the
Kaleidoscope. “When unchecked imagination meets creative ability, the output is
what causes future innovation. I believe in the sheer magic that this diverse
set of INK community creates year after year, writing our future together. It
is always refreshing that just like the Kaleidoscope, every person who is part
of the conference comes with a unique talent and leaves creating collective
impact and reshaping the world as we know it,” she says. She currently serves
as the CEO, host and curator of live events and the online portal inktalks.com.
She has spoken at conferences such as TED, DLD and WIRED, as the host of eight
major INK events and as the co-host of TED in Mysore, in 2009.
She chose Goa as the venue for this year’s conference as it is a
land of beauty and intellect. “Goa is an interesting combination as it is a fun
destination that is intellectually stimulating. Those who are attending and are
a part of the conference will experience the beauty and emotion that Goa has to
offer. I like the idea of building connections with the local community here.
We have arranged for all our speakers to visit local restaurants so that they
can experience Goa through its people,” says Lakshmi.
Gouri Mirpuri, the co-founder of ‘The Learning Farm’, will be
one of the speakers to address the attendees at INK2016. Married to the
Singaporean ambassador and having travelled widely to places like Indonesia and
USA, she will be talking about her residential organic farm for vulnerable
street youth. ‘The Learning Farm’ is an upstream program which has given hope
to hundreds throughout Indonesia as it helps disadvantaged young people sow the
seeds of change in their own lives , as well as become agents of transformation
in their communities. “It is the responsibility of everyone in a privileged
position to make a change. Privileges should be used to create a just world and
thus make a positive impact. You don’t have to make an impact with an NGO; you
can do it yourself by starting in your community,” says Gouri.
On speaking to Ere Gowda, a Scriptwriter and associate director
in the film industry with movies that have won numerous international, national
and state awards, he said that his talk will be about his journey as a movie
maker. “I am a film maker as I like to tell stories by creating characters of
the people that inspire me along the way,” he says. Another two young entrepreneurs
to look forward to at INK2016 are 15-year-old Dali Schonfelder, and 12-year-old
Finn Schonfelder who founded their own fashion label ‘Nalu’ with their pocket
money. ‘Nalu’ is not just any ordinary business as it provides school uniforms
to children who require them to remain in school with profits generated from
sales.
INK2016 will be held at Grand Hyatt Goa from September 16 to 18,
2016. Those interested in attending the event can register at inktalks.com. INK
is also partnering with the Goa Institute of Management to gather over 300
young people to participate in a variety of workshops while they watch a live
stream of the INK conference.
