Harshni Ramakrishnan In an age of filters and flawless Instagram grids, Harshni Ramakrishnan from Delhi Private School, Dubai, speaks up for the messy middle. In her TEDx Talk, she questions why we celebrate only the edited highlights good grades, success stories, perfect moments. What about the bloopers, the struggles, the sleepless nights? Harshni shares how real transformation happens off-camera, in the unshared, imperfect spaces. Her message is clear: you don’t have to be perfect to be powerful. Through honesty and humour, she challenges us to drop the mask and value the raw footage of our lives because that’s where the truth lives. Harshni Ramakrishnan School: Delhi Private School, Dubai Talk Title: Harshni Ramakrishnan is a student who views life’s messy, in-between moments as fertile ground for creativity and innovation. From spontaneous ideas during late-night study sessions to navigating academic pressure, she sees every experience as a spark for change. With a mind geared toward purpose and a heart tuned to authenticity, she encourages others to embrace the process, not just the outcome. In her Talk, Harshini challenges the curated perfection of modern life. Why do we only share the highlights, the good scores, the perfect photos, the polished successes? What about the blurry, behind-the-scenes moments that tell the real story? Through her reflections and sharp insights, she reclaims the power of imperfection as a driving force for growth. Her message: Sometimes the most meaningful narratives are the ones we don’t edit. In a world chasing filters and finesse, maybe what we truly need is the courage to show the raw, the real, and the unfinished 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