Raj Adgopul
Raj Adgopul is a professional storyteller and inspirational speaker who uses his own experience to help other people on their own journey.
Born in the village of Solapur in central India, Raj had a difficult childhood. His father was an alcoholic and took his own life when Raj was just two years old. His mother remarried, and Raj was raised by her and her new husband, both of whom abused him throughout his childhood. His mother would go on to take her own life from a self-inflicted insulin overdose in 2018. He suffered sexual, emotional and physical abuse by both their hands, as well as severe neglect throughout his youth.
Due to the pre-verbal years of abuse and neglect he suffered, Raj formed a disorganised attachment style, known as the worse combination of Anxious and Avoidant Attachment behaviour. He would then go on to be diagnosed with a range of personality disorders, including Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Emotional Unstable Personality and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.
Contact Great British Speakers today to book NHS, culture, and mental health keynote after dinner speaker Raj Adgopul for your next event.
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More About Raj Adgopul
Despite this difficult start to life, Raj Adgopul left his village, moved to Mumbai and completed his nursing training. But even that was fraught with difficulties. At one time, he lived in a room with 23 other people, his own personal space in the room being just a six foot by three foot piece of floor, with no bed. His terrible experience as a child, plus this difficult period of life, gained him unshakeable resilience.
RAJ ADGOPUL IN THE UK
Raj moved to England in 2002, with just £5 in his pockets and the will to survive and to thrive. He got a place at the University of Plymouth and completed a degree and postgraduate degree in Early Years Child Psychology. He also started a family, and in 2019 stood on the O2 stage in London and gave a TEDx Talk on appreciation.
He uses his experiences as a child in Solapur, an adolescent in Mumbai, and an adult in the UK to inspire others and help them on whatever journey they find themselves on.
RAJ ADGOPUL SPEAKING TOPICS
Raj has given a number of successful, inspiring, honest and entertaining keynote talks to a wide range of public, private, corporate and Governmental organisations. His talks are inspired by his whoel life, from a child to an adult, and his unbelievable story from deprivation to main man.
Village Life: England and India Compared
Raj looks at the differences between living in a village in India and a village in England. Taking a humerous approach, he offers advice on how to respond to strangers’ children, how to greet your neighbours, what to offer to the village, and what to expect from a local village celebration.
An Immigrant’s Experience of England
After spending the formative years of his life in India, moving to England was a big culture shock. In this talk, he explores what it is like to arrive in a new country when you don’t know anyone, what to do in a house where the bathroom has a toilet rather than a bucket, what exactly is a packed lunch box, and why do dogs seem to have all the fun…
Manners Maketh Man – Cultural Observations Around Food and Manners in the East and West
Have you ever been at a dinner party and after eating something inedible, turned around to the host and said “that was wonderful”? Have you ever smiled politely and said “don’t worry about it” when a waiter dropped food in your lap? Have you ever apologised to a stranger for bumping into them, when in actual fact, they were the one to bump into you? This new way of apologising in England was a world away from India. In this talk Raj explores new ways to laugh at British sensibilities.
Attitudes to Health and Healthcare in India and the UK
Having worked for the NHS in England, Raj is keen to promote how extraordinary it is, and how different it is from the healthcare in India. He sensitively shares humerous, but sometimes tragic tales, from the medical world of the East.
Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Using anecdotes and stories from his own experience as an entrepreneur and innovator, Raj builds a strong case for why change needs to be celebrated, not stifled, and how it doesn’t need to be complicated to be successful.
Emancipation of Middle-Class Women in India
Once considered to be fit only for domestic chores and child raising, the women of India in the 21st Century have assumed the typically male roles of professionals. Nearly half of India’s population is female, and Raj sees the importance of celebrating their triumphs and opportunities, whilst being aware of their plights and limitations.
Slum Survival Mindset
“If you survive long enough in the slums of Mumbai to tell your story, you learn how to milk a bull! Interested?”
Raj offers an insight into the kind of mindset and resilience you need to develop in order to survive in the slums of Bombay. His secret? You need to thrive on your misfortunes.
Appreciation Redefined
Given his troubling upbringing, Raj has learned to appreciate everything good that comes his way. This talk is honest and endearing; his comparison of life in Mumbai compared to rural Dorset is an eye opener. He shares a collection of his personal stories, from becoming a nurse, losing friends to Mumbai’s railways, and learning to communicate with patients in the UK.
A Chat With Raj Adgopul
As part of our “Chat With…” series at Great British Speakers, our Director Jane Farnham sat down to shat with inspirational storyteller Raj Adogpul about his upbringing, his life in the UK, and his messages of diversity, resilience and mental wellbeing.
Clients: Absolutely Women’s Institute Ferndown, Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, Blandford Women’s Institute, Bridport University of 3rd Ages, Bristol Common Wealth Society, Budmouth College Weymouth, Charminster Women’s Institute, Charmouth University of 3rd Ages, Christchurch Central Women’s Institute, Collingbourne Kingstone Women’s Institute, Colmers Women’s Institute, Dorchester University of 3rd Ages, Exeter University of 3rd Ages, Instow and Yelland Women’s Institute, King’s College Hospital London, Literary and Scientific Institute Bridport, Lyme Regis University of 3rd Ages, National Association of Patient Participation, Somerset County Federation of Women’s Institute, Taunton Dean Divas Women’s Institute, Warminster Women’s Institute, Wiltshire Federation of Women’s Institute.
Call +44 1753 439 289 or email Great British Speakers now to book PTSD, Resilience, Mental health speaker Raj Adgopul for your corporate event.
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