What happens when people from different walks of life come together to share ideas that challenge the familiar? TEDxKMCT Season 02 set out to answer exactly that. Held on 31 October 2026 at KMCT Group of Institutions, Calicut, the event brought together speakers, students, faculty members and members of the public for a full day of conversations, personal stories and fresh perspectives.
Organised by KMCT Group of Institutions, the second edition of TEDxKMCT was built around the theme 'Beyond the Blueprint' – Where Limits Get Redrawn. With eight speakers and two featured performers from diverse backgrounds, the programme explored individuality, science, creativity, entrepreneurship, resilience and personal growth, and turned the KMCT campus into a meeting point for ideas from very different fields.
What is TEDxKMCT?
TEDx is a programme of local, independently organised events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. TEDxKMCT is KMCT's own edition, guided by the spirit of Local Ideas, Global Impact. Learn more about the vision behind the event on our About page, or browse earlier milestones in the TEDxKMCT blog.
Eight speakers, eight different stories
The speaker sessions went well beyond conventional academic and professional discussions. From questioning established ideas to learning from failure and building something new, each talk offered its own interpretation of what it means to go beyond a blueprint. You can find the full line-up on the TEDxKMCT speakers section.
1. Dr. Fathima Nilufer Sheriff – The Beauty of Being Different: Challenging the Blueprint
An aesthetic physician, biohacking and longevity expert, and Founder and CEO of Therefore I'm, Dr. Fathima Nilufer Sheriff opened a conversation on individuality. Drawing on her experience in aesthetic medicine and wellness, she spoke about looking beyond conventional ideas of beauty and recognising what makes each person different.
2. Dr. Manu Melwin Joy – The Serious Power of Play
Dr. Manu Melwin Joy is an Assistant Professor at the School of Management Studies, Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT), as well as a leadership educator, author of seven books and gamification expert. Bringing his experience from numerous national and international sessions, he explored how play can play a meaningful role in learning, creativity and everyday life.
3. Dr. Mohamed Hatha Abdulla – The Smallest Lives Matter the Most
Senior Professor at CUSAT and Director of the CUSAT-NCPOR Centre for Polar Sciences, Dr. Mohamed Hatha Abdulla brought a scientific lens to the stage. A Fulbright Scholar and Country Ambassador of the American Society for Microbiology, he drew attention to the importance of microscopic life and its far-reaching role in the natural world.
4. Mr. Jabir Karat – Trashonomy: A New Perspective
As Founder and CEO of Green Worms, a social enterprise working in waste management and recycling, Jabir Karat focuses on solving environmental challenges while creating dignified livelihoods for waste workers. His talk invited the audience to rethink waste, its value, and the possibilities that open up when discarded materials are seen as resources.
5. Ms. Sana Shirin CT – What Failure Taught Me That Success Couldn't
A second-year law student at KMCT Law College, public speaker and artist, Sana Shirin CT is an INSPIRE Awardee and a finalist in Mathrubhumi's Speak for India competition. Her deeply personal talk reflected on the lessons setbacks can teach and the role failure plays in shaping one's journey – a reminder that some of the strongest TEDxKMCT voices come from our own campus.
6. Dr. Afsal Rahman VK – The Courage to Build What Doesn't Exist
Physician, entrepreneur and Founder of SquareFit Global, Dr. Afsal Rahman VK works in doctor-led wellness and nutrition, connecting medical guidance with healthier everyday living. His session explored the courage it takes to take the first step towards an idea when there is no established path to follow.
7. Mr. Arfaz Iqbal – Frequencies That Broke Frontiers
A Dubai-based radio presenter, actor and emcee with more than two decades in radio, Arfaz Iqbal is associated with Hit 96.7. He has acted in short films recognised at the Emirates Short Film Festival and co-founded Rushot, a platform connecting customers with photography and videography professionals. His talk explored expression and communication beyond familiar boundaries.
8. Mrs. Naaji Oolu – Off Script: A Life in Motion
Solo traveller and overlander from Kerala, Naaji Oolu has travelled across more than 25 countries and covered over 100,000 kilometres in her Mahindra Thar, including a journey to Everest Base Camp. Challenging conventional ideas about travel, motherhood and women's independence, she shared a story that has taken her far beyond the plans usually expected of life.
Performances that added another dimension
TEDxKMCT Season 02 was more than a series of talks. Two featured performers brought a different kind of expression to the stage.
Grandmaster Affan Kutty, a Rubik's Cube artist and Guinness World Record holder with recognition in the Limca Book of Records and Asia Book of Records, showcased remarkable speed, precision and problem-solving. His performance showed how dedication and consistent practice can turn an everyday interest into an extraordinary ability.
Ms. Anaida Stanly, a UI/UX designer, sand artist, illustrator, motivational speaker and content creator from Kochi, lives with Osteogenesis Imperfecta. Through creativity and storytelling, she encourages conversations around resilience, accessibility and inclusion, offering a powerful perspective on going beyond perceived limitations.
An effort that brought the KMCT community together
TEDxKMCT Season 02 was organised under the leadership of Dr. Ayisha Nazreen, Executive Trustee and Director, KMCT Group of Institutions, with Dr. Nivea Francis as Co-organiser. Meet the people behind the event on our Team page.
The event was the result of extensive teamwork by students, faculty members and the entire organising committee – from planning and coordination to every responsibility on the day. We are also grateful to the sponsors and partners who helped make the season possible.
The participation of the KMCT community and members of the public added to the energy in the hall. For students and attendees alike, it was a chance to listen to speakers they admire, hear inspiring stories from across different fields, discover unfamiliar ideas and gain perspectives beyond their usual academic and professional experiences.
Beyond the Blueprint: the common thread
The talks and performances came from very different worlds, but they shared one invitation: look beyond what is already familiar.
Whether it was questioning conventional ideas of beauty, understanding the power of play, finding lessons in failure, rethinking waste, exploring microscopic life or building something without a predefined path, every contribution approached the theme in its own way.
With the successful conclusion of its second season, TEDxKMCT continues its mission of bringing diverse voices and ideas to the KMCT campus. More than following a set programme, the day created room for people to share what they have learned, what they believe in and what they have discovered along the way. 'Beyond the Blueprint' was expressed not through one single idea, but through the many ways people choose to think, create, explore and move forward.
Frequently asked questions
When and where was TEDxKMCT Season 02 held? TEDxKMCT Season 02 took place on 31 October 2026 at KMCT Group of Institutions, Calicut (Kozhikode), Kerala.
What was the theme of TEDxKMCT 2026? The theme was 'Beyond the Blueprint – Where Limits Get Redrawn'.
Who spoke at TEDxKMCT Season 02? Dr. Fathima Nilufer Sheriff, Dr. Manu Melwin Joy, Dr. Mohamed Hatha Abdulla, Mr. Jabir Karat, Ms. Sana Shirin CT, Dr. Afsal Rahman VK, Mr. Arfaz Iqbal and Mrs. Naaji Oolu, with performances by Grandmaster Affan Kutty and Ms. Anaida Stanly.
How can I stay updated about the next TEDxKMCT? Keep an eye on the TEDxKMCT Events page, follow us on Instagram, or contact the TEDxKMCT team.
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This independent TEDx event is operated under license from TED.