Our frames of reference are determined by how we see the world, through our own filter and lens. Gavin talks about the importance of stepping through the doors of service toward an authentic purpose in life. Raised in the UK, Gavin experienced his formative years as a boarding pupil in Scotland. After university and time working in the civil service, he qualified as a teacher and spent many years working in the heart of Bristol in the west of England. After witnessing the empowering light of education, he enjoyed working in pastoral and comprehensive counselling positions in the UK, Japan and China before joining SAIS. 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

As founder of URBANSketch+, Nina teaches under-served youth a combination of urban sketching and entrepreneurship. The young artists have organized their own vendor booths across Singapore and raised awareness of their work. Nina is an organisational development practitioner with the Singapore government and the founder of URBANSketch+, a volunteer-run program empowering underprivileged youth through urban sketching and entrepreneurship. Through immersion in art, heritage and enterprise, the program fosters creativity and confidence, inspiring the youth to think big and dream beyond their circumstances. 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

What steps do international educators take to motivate their students for peace and compassion, empowering them to understand tolerance, acceptance and celebration of human rights? Mou shares her definition of international-mindedness. As an IB educator for more than 21 years, Mou has worn different hats, including those of Diploma Program coordinator and Theory of Knowledge examiner. She has worked in diverse environments in China, Myanmar and Bangladesh, and she believes education should be modern, contemporary and relevant. In addition, travelling and working with different people have allowed Mou to celebrate the intercultural realm of beliefs and realise that, yes – as the IB mission statement says – other people with their differences can also be right. 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

Grade vs Growth: Revamping the Real Success Formula,” challenges society's narrow focus on academic grades as the ultimate marker of success. Through humour satire, and heartfelt storytelling, she highlights how students are often reduced to mere numbers—at the cost of their mental health and self-worth. Advocating for a more holistic definition of achievement, Ezza Abdul Nazer emphasizes the importance of emotional intelligence, character, and real-world skills over exam scores. Her message is a powerful call for reflection and change, directed at students, parents, and educators alike. President of Peace Junior Gavel Club (affiliated with Toastmasters International), she won the International Speech Contest and was a finalist in the ORMA Speech Contest. She has spoken at multiple Gavel Club programs, served as a guest lecturer at Mathrubhumi Summer Camp, and competed in Team Talk. Selected for FACX (India's first student talk show), she also excels academically—winning first prizes in Sahodaya PPT competitions (including state-level) and English/Science Fests. Her research on *"How AI Cameras Affect Lives in Kerala"* was published in an ISBN-registered book. 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

What if every missed chance was actually preparing you for something greater?In a soul-stirring and empowering speech, Isra Anwer Karim — a Grade 10 student, Head Girl of Peace Public School Kottakkal, and a proud Gavelier — bares her journey with honesty, humour, and heart.She tells the story of a girl who always seemed to miss her big moments — whether it was because of illness, accidents, or even unexpected weddings. A girl who watched from the sidelines while others shone. But that same girl discovered her voice in the margins of her notebook, where poetry quietly bloomed.With vivid storytelling and quiet strength, Isra takes us on a journey not of constant wins, but of persistence. Of how failure dimmed her spark, but never extinguished it. Of how one teacher’s belief and a friend’s nickname became anchors in a storm. And how standing on a stage, after years of disappointments, wasn’t a matter of luck — but of refusing to give up.This is not a victory speech. It’s a testimony to falling, breaking, healing, and rising again. It’s for the invisible children who are slowly stepping into the light. For the girls with broken mics who still dream of world stages. It’s about finding purpose not in spite of pain — but through it.Isra’s speech is a love letter to anyone who’s ever felt left behind. And a reminder that maybe, just maybe… the delay isn’t denial. It’s divine timing.Because in the end, we weren’t made to be anyone else’s first choice. We were meant to be our own.A dedicated 10th-grade student with twelve years at her school, Isra has transformed from a shy kindergartener into a confident storyteller through poetry, film, and writing. Her achievements include winning 3rd prize in State-Level PPT Presentatio, 3rd place in District-Level Slam Poetry, and 3rd prize at the Global Digital Fest for a short film. NCERT selected her poem for their national magazine, a testament to her literary talent. At school, she served as Head of Social Service, Deputy Student Editor, and earned the title ‘Kala Prathibha for her artistic dedication. As a Gavelier, she honed her leadership and communication skills under the Toastmasters model. Fluent in English, Hindi, and Malayalam, and conversational in Urdu, Arabic, and Japanese, Isra thrives on creativity—whether through reading, journaling, or videography—using these passions to make sense of the world around her. 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

In this insightful TEDx talk at NITKSurathkal, IAS Officer Tirumani Sri Pooja, a distinguished alumna of our institution, takes us on a powerful journey through her life. She reflects on her highs and lows, right turns and missteps, victories and setbacks, revealing how luck is not some mere chance but the reward of perseverance.She pushes back against the idea that luck is some magical gift. Instead, she shows how what looks like luck is really just hard work paying off. Sharing stories from her own life, she proves that every 'lucky break' actually comes from staying persistent, being prepared, and putting in the work when no one's watching.A memorable moment in her talk is the wave analogy a striking metaphor for life’s ups and downs. She explains that during the crest (good fortune), one must harness its momentum with humility, while in the trough (adversity), it is not despair but strategy, patience, and lessons from elders that pave the way forward. She also speaks of her father’s inspiring journey being the first in his village to graduate and pursue post-graduation which became the foundation of her own drive and ambition. In conclusion, her message is clear and empowering: “Luck always favors those who work hard, stay prepared, and don’t give up even when the tide is low.”An NITK Surathkal alumna and a 2021 UPSC Civil Services Examination topper with an incredible AIR 62, Sri Pooja chose Anthropology as her optional subject. Her journey from the halls of NITK to cracking one of the toughest exams in the country is a story of determination, resilience, and passion for public service. As she returns to her alma mater, join us to hear her inspiring tale of how her time at NITK shaped her path to becoming a civil servant. 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