On 14 October 2024, the prestigious ICT Academy Youth Talk 2024 culminated in a highly competitive regional finale held at Sri Manakula Vinayagar Institute of Technology, Puducherry. Organized by ICT Academy—an initiative since 2014 to bolster communication and leadership among college students across Tamil Nadu and Puducherry—this contest featured a rigorous multi-stage selection process culminating in powerful 10-minute speeches before expert jurors.
The Journey: From 3-Minute Videos to the Mainstage
The contest unfolded through several phases:
- Initial Screening: Participants submitted an unedited 3-minute video on YouTube. The top 100 from each region moved forward.
- Regional Pre-Finals: Selected finalists delivered 10-minute in-person speeches at partner colleges.
- Regional Finals: The top contenders vied for regional honors—only one per region advanced to the Grand Finale.
In Puducherry’s regional finale on 14 October, V. Kavitaanjali delivered a compelling speech, earning the prestigious Runner-Up position. The top speaker, Ramya R. Senguttuvan, secured first place and will proceed to the Grand Finale in Coimbatore’s Youth Summit.
A Rising Star on Youth Platform
Why this matters:
- Recognition at a national level, standing second among dozens of articulate public speakers.
- Showcased excellence in thoughtful content, confidence, and leadership—core judging criteria.
- High-caliber evaluation, judged by HR heads, directors, and senior managers from major corporate entities.
This accolade reflects not only her mastery of public speaking but her capacity to inspire, persuade, and lead through words—an invaluable skill for future endeavours.
Stage Presence, Clarity & Connection: What Made the Speech Stand Out
Though the exact speech topic remains private, her Runner-Up finish suggests:
- A gripping theme with broad relevance, chosen to resonate deeply with youth audiences.
- Well-structured storytelling, combining clarity, emotional depth, and logical progression.
- Commanding confidence in stage performance—body language, energy, and timing.
- Authentic connection, engaging both jury and peers, backed by authoritative delivery.
These elements encapsulate the core of ICT Academy’s judging criteria: content quality, passion, time discipline, and linguistic proficiency.
Reflecting on Excellence: A Call to Fellow Young Voices
To students preparing for similar stages:
- Start early with topic selection—choose ideas that align with your passion and audience relevance.
- Rehearse extensively, using video playback to refine pacing, clarity, and emotive impact.
- Engage your audience visually, using posture, gestures, and vocal variation to captivate.
- Seek constructive feedback, iterating your message and delivery until it resonates emotionally and intellectually.
Final Thoughts: A Speech That Resonates Beyond the Podium
Her remarkable journey to Runner-Up at ICT Academy Youth Talk 2024 is a testament to her dedication, eloquence, and leadership promise. This honour reflects not just personal triumph but contributes to a larger mission: empowering youth voices to shape ideas, inspire communities, and lead with purpose.
