TEDx Talks - Beauty under the surface | Adline Castelino | TEDxFMMC
The speaker narrates a personal journey of pursuing dreams despite numerous setbacks. Initially aspiring to be a beauty queen, she left Kuwait at 15 to study medicine in Mumbai, only to realize it wasn't her passion. After quitting, she explored various fields, including management and film, facing failures along the way. Her interest in pageantry was sparked by a roommate's comment, leading her to pursue it seriously despite initial rejections and criticism about her appearance. She overcame a speech impediment through determination, driven by her passion to advocate for farmers and children. The COVID-19 pandemic posed further challenges, but she used the platform of Miss Diva to raise funds for farmers. Despite setbacks, including contracting COVID-19, she persevered and achieved third runner-up at Miss Universe, marking a significant achievement for India. Her story underscores the importance of resilience, self-motivation, and the belief that small efforts contribute to a larger impact.
Key Points:
- Resilience is key: Overcoming failures in various fields led to eventual success.
- Self-belief: Trusting in one's vision is crucial, even when others don't understand.
- Adaptability: Shifting from medicine to pageantry required flexibility and courage.
- Overcoming obstacles: Addressing a speech impediment through practice shows determination.
- Impact of small actions: Efforts in pageantry helped raise funds for farmers, showing broader societal impact.
Details:
1. 🌟 Dreams of a Beauty Queen: From Kuwait to Mumbai
- The speaker has always aspired to be a beauty queen since childhood, showing ambition and dedication.
- Her ultimate goal is to change the world and make it a better place, aligning with common aspirations of beauty queens.
- The journey from Kuwait to Mumbai was marked by significant challenges, including cultural adjustments and overcoming personal obstacles.
- The speaker utilized platforms available in Mumbai to amplify her voice and advocate for social causes, demonstrating strategic use of her role.
- Her efforts in Mumbai included engaging in community service and participating in initiatives aimed at empowering women and children.
- She leveraged her platform to raise awareness about social issues, effectively becoming a role model for others aspiring to make a difference.
2. 🔄 Changing Paths: From Medicine to Management
- The speaker left Kuwait at age 15, driven by a desire to achieve something significant, despite not having a clear plan or connections in Bombay.
- Initially pursued a career in medicine, dedicating two years to this path before realizing it was not their personal choice but a result of parental expectations.
- The decision to quit medicine was a turning point, leading to a shift towards management studies, which provided a new direction and purpose.
- Faced multiple failures, including a business venture in Bombay and working as an assistant director in a film industry with a language barrier, enhancing resilience and adaptability.
- Emphasizes the perspective of treating these experiences not as failures, but as an informal MBA, learning to balance personal and professional challenges.
- The management studies offered a structured approach to business challenges, ultimately paving the way for a successful career in management.
3. 👑 Entering Pageantry: A Journey of Self-Discovery
- The journey into pageantry began with a comment from a roommate comparing her to Sushmita Sen, igniting a strong desire to become Miss India.
- A significant emotional moment occurred when she met a Miss India Scout who dismissed her potential based on superficial judgments about her appearance, such as her hair, shoes, and love handles.
- This encounter served as a wake-up call about the vulnerability of self-esteem tied to external validation and appearance, especially in youth.
- The experience highlighted the risks of associating self-worth with looks and societal achievements.
- It underscored the difficulty of pursuing dreams without the understanding or support of others, emphasizing personal resilience.
4. 🗣️ Overcoming Challenges: Speech Impediment and Passion
4.1. Initial Challenges and Skepticism
4.2. Overcoming Speech Impediment and Achievements
5. 🌏 Impact of COVID: Reflections and Realizations
- The COVID pandemic highlighted the importance of finding significance in seemingly insignificant actions, as many faced widespread job losses and struggles.
- Through the Miss Diva platform, funds were raised for charities supporting farmers in Bulana, Maharashtra, showing the societal impact of small actions.
- The experience emphasized patience and the contrast between modern instant gratification and long-term dedication required for significant achievements, as seen with figures like J.K. Rowling.
- It highlighted the societal tendency to always anticipate future events, underscoring the beauty and importance of patience in achieving great work.
6. ✈️ The Struggle to Miss Universe: Perseverance Against Odds
- The speaker experienced a significant setback when the Miss Universe pageant was delayed for one and a half years due to COVID-19, highlighting the impact of external factors on personal goals.
- Despite contracting COVID-19 and facing the closure of national borders, the speaker managed to secure a spot on the last flight to the United States, demonstrating resilience and determination.
- The speaker's efforts and persistence resulted in a notable achievement: being named the third runner-up at Miss Universe, marking a significant milestone for India after 21 years.
- The experience underscores the importance of self-motivation and acceptance in the face of unfair circumstances, emphasizing that perseverance can lead to unexpected successes.
- The platform provided by the pageant offered opportunities for personal growth and learning, as the speaker met influential people and gained valuable experiences.
7. ✨ Pursuing Dreams: The Importance of Patience and Hope
- Patience and perseverance are crucial when pursuing dreams, as success may take years to achieve.
- Hope and belief in eventual success can sustain individuals during prolonged efforts.
- Having long-term dreams, even extending into later life stages, can provide ongoing motivation and purpose.