Vishnupriya Pillai, a 14-year-old student at OOD, Dubai, is a dynamic force with a passion for public speaking, debating, and creative expression. A published author of four books, she believes that everyone has untapped potential waiting to be unlocked. For her, growth lies beyond the comfort zone in embracing challenges, flaws, and the unexpected.
In her Talk Glitching on Purpose, Vishnupriya explores the concept of embracing imperfections rather than striving for flawless presentation. What began as a nickname in a school competition has now evolved into a powerful mindset that celebrates chaos, flaws, and everything in between. Her talk is an invitation to stop editing ourselves and instead embrace our glitches to show up authentically and be unforgettable. By challenging the constant pressure for perfection, she encourages us to find strength in our imperfections and use them as a platform for growth and self-expression.
Vishnupriya Pillai, a 14-year-old student at OOD, Dubai, is a dynamic force with a passion for public speaking, debating, and creative expression. A published author of four books, she believes that everyone has untapped potential waiting to be unlocked. For her, growth lies beyond the comfort zone in embracing challenges, flaws, and the unexpected.
In her Talk Glitching on Purpose, Vishnupriya explores the concept of embracing imperfections rather than striving for flawless presentation. What began as a nickname in a school competition has now evolved into a powerful mindset that celebrates chaos, flaws, and everything in between. Her talk is an invitation to stop editing ourselves and instead embrace our glitches to show up authentically and be unforgettable. By challenging the constant pressure for perfection, she encourages us to find strength in our imperfections and use them as a platform for growth and self-expression. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
More from TED
- 12:10What ripples will your pebble make? | Celia Emmot | TEDxBrightonIn this talk, Ceilia asks a simple but profound question: what ripples will your pebble make?Through powerful stories from her extraordinary life — from working as a nurse in New York during the civil rights movement, to delivering aid in European refugee camps, to quietly supporting charities here in the UK — Ceilia invites us to reflect on how even small acts can create lasting change.With wisdom, warmth and lived experience, she shows how impact doesn’t always come from loud gestures or grand plans, but from showing up, speaking out and doing what we can, where we are.This is a talk about compassion, courage and legacy — and a gentle challenge to each of us to consider the ripples we might leave behind.Celia helped to launched Childline, advocated for part-time nurses, led logistics for Raleigh International, and now serves meals to refugees in Calais. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
- 10:55How I went from caregiver to changemaker | Amina Ibrahim Manzo | TEDxSkyline University NigeriaWhat if leadership wasn’t about titles, but about courage and responsibility? In this powerful talk, caregiver and community leader Amina Ibrahim Manzo shares how finding her voice transformed her from a caregiver into a changemaker. Her message? You don’t need permission to lead—just purpose. Ms Amina is a graduate of Nursing Science from MTI University, Cairo, Egypt, a social impact leader, and a passionate advocate for community development, youth empowerment, and women’s health. She has supported and led various initiatives through public speaking, mentorship, and project coordination. She is the founder of the Humanity Kindness and Peace Initiative and currently serves as Head of Programs at EnovateLab. Her work is rooted in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
- 11:331 | Christine Larce | TEDxRizalStreet?? ???? ????? ?. One act of kindness. One voice. One choice to care. How will you make your “1” count?Hear the story behind ??? ????? ??? ???? from Engineer ????????? ?????. Engineer Christine Larce is a passionate youth leader and co-founder of One Share One Care, an initiative addressing financial and medical needs in her community. At 22, she represented the Philippines as a youth volunteer for the ASEAN Foundation. Christine has been a consistent honor student and a two-time recipient of the Most Outstanding College Student award. She currently serves as the Top 1 Youth Ambassador of Albay, championing student rights and welfare with her motto, "To lead and to inspire." This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
- 5:39When No Is the Best Response | Makki Jasareno | TEDxRizalStreet“??? ????? ??????????? ????? ? ???.” ????????? ????? ???????? almost said no to this TEDx talk—until he realized why learning to say no can be a powerful, life-shaping choice. Makki Jasareno is a registered and licensed architect, designing various structures, including residential and commercial buildings. He is a past president of the Rotary Club of Metro Sorsogon and the Rotaract Club of Metro Sorsogon, NGOs focusing on community assistance. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
- 16:36We Need New Stories | Cole Reynolds | TEDxNorthwesternUJournalism only makes an impact when readers are ready for it, journalist Cole Reynolds tells us. He reflects on a world that looks far different now than when he began as a journalist and questions whether journalism, itself, is ready for it. Reynolds asks: What happens if the stories we used to tell can’t move the world anymore? Cole is a junior at Northwestern studying journalism and anthropology. He is a former managing editor of The Daily Northwestern. In that role, he revealed the extent of sexualized hazing on Northwestern’s football team, along with three other reporters. With them, he was named Illinois Journalist of the Year for 2024 by the Northern Illinois Press Association, becoming the first student ever to receive the honor. He has investigated the misuse of lead remediation funds in Oakland and the mistreatment of taxi riders with disabilities in Chicago. His work has appeared for The New York Times, Trace Magazine, and PBS, among other outlets. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
- 12:31Teaching Beyond Borders: Education Rebuilds | Jihane Kasshanna Dib | TEDxSkyline University NigeriaWhat if education weren’t just about personal achievement, but a radical act of rebuilding society? In this moving talk, Jihane Kasshanna Dib shares how classrooms can become engines of empathy, cultural connection, and social transformation. Her experiences in Nigeria and Lebanon reveal how teaching the whole student can reshape the future we share. Jihane Kasshanna Dib, Principal of the French Section at Leb School Kano and Governing Council Member of Skyline University Nigeria, is a passionate education leader dedicated to nurturing compassion, community service, and global citizenship among students and school communities. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
