The Power Behind Kindness: Balpreet Kaur at TEDxOhioStateUniversity

Balpreet Kaur is a first-generation sophomore at the Ohio State University where she is studying both Neuroscience and International Development. She hopes to continue on to medical school to become a neurosurgeon, research the effect of social stigma on the progression of mental disorder in developing countries, and hopefully open a few free clinics in Africa. At OSU she is part of the executive board of the Better Together team, president of the Sikh Student Association, and a Humanities Scholar. Being inspired by the tenents of universal love and service in Sikhism, she aspires to learn about the human condition and, one day, save the world -- one step at a time. Her turban and faith inspire her to be different and to initiate dialogue with others. She finds herself reading everything and anything in her spare time, meditating, baking vegan desserts, and thinking about the profundities of life.
In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

[@LuckyBabra]

Sikh Community prouds of gals like u dear....this is jus awesome..conquer ur mind conquer the world

[@RicD.15208]

No, not transgendered, just a female with facial hair. Sikh people have a very different view of the body and the ego. She was the subject of ridicule on Reddit - fascinating story.

[@dilpreetbouns6128]

Ur right. .SIKH'S ARE THE BEST. ..They follow God's creation

[@pepemapache]

Listen to her entire speech. Listen to her voice and her message. But don't watch the video. Just listen to her voice. That's really her. Now, Isn´t she beautiful?

[@kimberlytaylor6667]

If only I had had her wisdom and belief in herself when I was her age. She is such an inspiration~ You go girl!

[@TheGurukhalsa]

great...... that is what pure khalsa or humanity is.......

[@asawarimalhotra6463]

This made me cry.. I can't agree more with you.. You go girl ! You're beautiful inside and out :) *hug *

[@bkhahra]

great comment

[@CanadianVlogger80]

she is a true sikh women, true human being... she is her true self who doesn't believe in artificial beauty. I like her as she is... God is the creator of universe and everything.. love his creativity. God is one.

[@anish1304]

How can you dislike this???

[@thekatie40]

Very inspiring, answered questions I never asked, asked questions I didn't want to ask.

[@surindercheema3]

Takes strength and lot of self worth to be a Sikh in The USA- not easy - easier to simulate- wouldn't you want someone that was so devoted and dedicated to humanity God bless

[@nanakdaas13]

She is true Sikh .she is not concentration on beauty .she concentration on sikhi . marna ne sab ne .par dhram kama k koi koi marda.

[@dilpreetbouns6128]

Very TRUE. .my SIKH brother

[@paulbrar8981]

Ego is the biggest roadblock to God and I find it difficult to keep my hair but I pray that Waheguru Ji gives me the will power to become Gurmukh an leave the Munmukh perspective.

[@sukhjaptav]

The power behind Kindness. Bravo! Keep it up - The spirit of Khalsa. Na Ko Vairi, Nahi Begana. Take forward the tradition of Bhai Ghanaiya Ji..

[@vjtaakvt]

What a AMAZING WOMAN... Waheguru bless you. Chardi khalla vich rake

[@avneetsingh297]

she proved how brave she is... one can just imagine what all she went through.. She is a true singhni..!!!! bless her....

[@karamvirsingh9388]

Superficial individuals will hate. In a time where the physical image means more than the acts and lifestyle of an individual, it isn't surprising. I urge these small minded folks to look within, in turn become more accepting and find a more profound and sincere understanding of what really matters. Balpreet Kaur; kudos to u Madam! Having complete faith in the only permanent entity in existence can bless us with power and steadfastness beyond belief.

[@harsheyfitness]

Thanks

[@SunnyBhuee]

I just love the way she is so simple and elegant.

[@navpreetnagrakaur3950]

Every word of your speech was straight from your heart! Awesome, you are beautiful person in and out.

[@Karmaforcreation]

She's so awesome. Thank you, Balpreet.

[@Punjabexamjuntion]

I love you Stefanie

[@narinderpalsingh4769]

really appreciable,,,if we conquer our mind then we can conquer the whole world...Mann jeeteh jag jeet....Dhan Dhan Baba Nanak ji......

[@surindercheema3]

You are making a change - one person at a time / how awesome to stand out and feel proud /confident You are a shinning star

[@HarmanSingh-zf1it]

kindness was part of your speech and you had the kindness quotient in every millisecond of it !!

[@lovenature111]

Not everyone can be as brave, faithful, kind and amazing as you are!! Guru ji would be proud of their wonderful daughter!! good luck in your future and i hope you inspire many other people to be brave.

[@RickSwanson]

A powerful message from a beautiful soul. Thank you for sharing your story as it provides light in the world that we can all aspire to.

[@JK-jm6kd]

Its true we all choose medicore n are scared to make changes to greatness. We all should strive greatness

[@geeta13]

an amazing person of courage, strength, inspiration, humanity and kindness.

[@Jazzy8227]

You Are fabulous Balpreet. I felt so proud after listening u. You are a real Role Model. :)

[@jaspalsingh150]

Balpreet is blessed girl.daughter of Guru Gobind Singh. Undoubtedly.

[@punnu09]

You are amazing and the humblest person I have ever met job well done bhainji

[@gurpreetsingh-pt4fx]

beautiful speech by beautiful soul

[@jk0111]

This made me cry... way too much... as I am in the exact same state... 🥺

[@Purrrout]

Thanks Balpreet. So inspirational.

[@StevieSosa]

She is wonderful.

[@69ingsquerrls]

She is beautiful and so inspiring

[@sumitpalsingh1807]

respect....simply respect..thanx for everything

[@hsd22]

Awesome video Balpreet, I've learned so much from you and Bhai Sewa Singh. Thanks.

[@meghansmith-ragle9167]

love love love yo and your message

[@666AMC666]

She's Beautiful

[@Cuteharnit]

Wow :') She's blessed :D

[@microjeti]

Bless her

[@jazsingh286]

You are an amazing singhni well done Ji ੴ☬~ωαнєgυяυ jι кα кнαℓѕα, ωαнєgυяυ jι кι ƒαтєн~ੴ☬ 🙏🙏🙏

[@sikhswim]

"conquer your mind and you can conquer the world" -- balpreet kaur (paraphrasing the sikh scripture)

[@sikhwarrior1000]

So inspiring

[@damandeepsinghludhiana1914]

waheguru bless you sister ....

[@balsa531]

Thanks for reminding me of what is important.

[@hgs60]

Excellent talk, Balpreet that can on,y come from the heart..keep it up

[@gursharansinghgill9962]

Great , Sister proud of you. Very Inspirational.

[@Fridayuser12]

Inspiring.

[@gurdipsingh693]

YOU GO GIRL, GOD BLESS YOU Xx

[@Thufferinthuckotash]

I love her

[@MrDRPARNASSUS]

Amazing & awe inspiring... Brilliant Stuff !

[@lubasf]

Yes, this is indeed a wonderful story. Now, can we also spread this message to all those that post pictures of Walmart shoppers? The same principle applies: the inherent dignity of simply treating people like human beings and not posting pictures of them based upon their religion, gender, race or socioeconomic status to degrade, deride or humiliate them

[@kindermarwa4301]

Hello,I think in terms of hair (meaning Kesh)on head is not easy for many Sikh women.Society tells us what the norm should be,and when you meet a person that does not fit in to a category then they are challenged from deep(within).The hair has strength in it,and Kesh is needed for prayer because it helps connect to "The Divine".Facial hair is a battle for sikh women especially when they live and are born in the west.Excellent Ted Talk,appreciate that.

[@sikhigirl100]

YOU ROCK!

[@theChannel40]

Absolutely amazing!!

[@matharoo89]

she's awesome.. RESPECT!

[@mehwishbashir5363]

Great video,

[@flyingkhalsa1]

Simply Brilliant. Proud of you dear

[@BaljitSingh-zm3wp]

Hukam rajai chalna nanak lakhia nal sat sri akal sister

[@jazsingh286]

Wow that was amazing

[@surindercheema3]

Great job-proud 👍👍

[@ethiobeauty21]

I love you, Sister! Your Muslim sister always!

[@rattankaur3563]

beautiful!!!

[@mikakulwant]

jinna ruhan vich hunda ae ibadatan da josh ohna vich hi vakhea ae shadatan da josh... The souls which can work endlessly for some good target, only they are seen to be dying for someone....

[@hothi13singh]

Amazing amazing amazing

[@prabhujeet]

Beautiful

[@GurpreetSingh-su8yy]

Hats off👏👏👏👏

[@BhinneeRainurreeai]

so good!

[@84LA84]

Beautiful.

[@bond00972004]

Speechless

[@jaspreetkaur-kf2ty]

Waheguru

[@dhillonarsh22]

bohat vadiya keha mere veer

[@AlapAhaar]

wonderful talk :)

[@ravidfg]

Jeondi reh kudiye,waheguru bless u

[@preetcharan]

Well the hard to judge anyone practices as Sikh according to GGS but you made a genuine comment.

[@HarmeetSingh0013]

boota singh g tuhanu agree karke , kehda kise nu medal mil jana , agree karna sirf waheguru nu , eh tan waheguru he janda kon sahi hai and kon galt.

[@QiotiCoyote]

To anyone who is saying to just listen to her voice and commenting on how she isn't pretty in a feminine way- Shut up. Please. You look at her face. Listen to her words. HEAR what she is saying. Judging by someone's looks is like judging by their name. Judge my their actions and who they are first and only.

[@singhdepicts7093]

Awesome. Nd proud f u

[@ravindersingh-jq3mo]

all of us are ONE God's children, we share ONE earth, we breathe air of ONE type, we have ONE coloured blood,same ONE type of eyes...basically we are just ONE inside out... The day everybody of us realise the "WE" part of humanity,rather "I", most of the problems of modern day socities will be erased

[@khalsasingh6351]

Nice work Bhenji....Chardi Kala!!

[@kunjidee]

The battle always starts in the mind, and what do we fear? Rejection, ridicule, shame and the confirmation that we're no good, bad, a joke. For women it's you're stupid, fat and ugly. Those thoughts come from the Devil. God says we're perfect, in his likeness, we are masterpieces. I don't need to change me or YOU to have a happy life; confidence comes when you reconnect with God. And kudos to this young lady; she was subjected to what I would consider a "hate-crime" and it could have spiraled into her becoming depressed, neurotic, or even more paranoid to be "seen"; instead she faced who she is and confronted the situation with truth and dignity. And look at her now...way 2 go.

[@rodwill17]

The title to the talk says the Power behind Kindness, it is not titled being a Sikh, grow up all you religious zealots who are posting on this wonderful talk.

[@amanpreetsingh9316]

Puran gursikh Bibi hai ji waheguru waheguru

[@harry1827]

brave kaur :)

[@megha3158]

She mentioned 700 people.. Does that number was the no. Of people in front of whom she was giving speech?

[@vish2ual]

well what can I say, people choose between orthodox lifestyle versus casual , may be she is comfortable in the former style of living

[@AnitaSingh-ru9oy]

👏👏👏👏👏👌👌👌💚👍

[@sowhat4theword]

If people read this please just watch the video first before commenting.... I almost was ready to judge her and say something sarcastic or hypocritical but I didn't And I'm glad I didn't!

[@Professicchio]

I didn't say that's where it was, I've also mentioned "south Asian continent"

[@gandinali7181]

Yes, Guru’s and his followers gave their head fighting tyranny for the interest of others. O’ yes, as a Sikh you did NOT turn a blind eye to the plight of others living on this land of the innocent aboriginal people that this nation belongs to, still oppressed by tyranny. It is not what you say you are, but your actions and conduct that makes you a Sikh. Khalsa marched with and for the British all over the world and still claiming to be following philosophy of a wise Guru’s.

[@Navrupkaur]

Amazing!

[@razorcutz4706]

I think that was mean, and uncalled for I think your a beautiful person.

[@pyarideep1990]

me too

[@Navrooopsingh]

"balle ni punjab diye sher bachiye"

[@notswearjar]

No. She is her body as well, and there is nothing wrong with it.

[@TurboDally]

It's true that western women are obsessed with hair (i.e. eyebrows), this also applies to baptized Sikh women (and men) who would rather die than let a blade touch their hair... This is not a trait that I view as admirable.

[@SClassFinalFlash]

Mind you own business man

[@meenaakthar]

Let them do what they want.

[@Roger-ci4tp]

after hearing her, u r fixated at hair.... maybe i am expecting too much from you ! if u agree that you are a creation of God than you will not dare to modify God's creation .... will you ? i mean is your thinking superior than God's ?

[@surinderkaur983]

hacker hacker then what is the proof of ur existence of there isn't a God

[@surinderkaur983]

hacker hacker r u an atheists. do u believe in science. if u do science only has so many answers to questions that we have. majority are theories. but in religion you will find answers that have proof of being correct. there is a reason y millions of people follow a certain belief. these people aren't insane. they are just enlightened, something u aren't yet

[@ravindersingh-jq3mo]

Hey hacker... u dont need to say a word here, your profile pic exhibits your persona and mindset and displays the kind of life u are used to.. hope u get some calm

[@Samanosuke187]

India is in Asia, not the Middle east.

[@sikhswim]

sikh win

[@AjaySingh-nd6hn]

respect all the religions , all religions are equal, we are children of almighty and we don't need a unique identity via religion.saying that Sikhs has unique identity is not entirely impressive. religions should teach us to be brothers and sisters and not strive for being unique identity as Sikhs. we are all equal

[@krishendhaliwal978]

Every religion gives every person different morals and a unique identity. I am Sikh i l believe everyone is equal, a different identity I Sikhism just helps people to realise that we are there for people, we are willing to help. Ask anyone on the street and fear rejection, but asking a Sikh will result in being helped. I mean being unique doesn't mean you reject everyone else, Sikhism teaches that you should respect males as brothers and fathers and respect females as sisters and mothers.

[@paulbrar8981]

All people are equal but the Sikhs were instructed to have a uniform to stick out and be unique to represent values of truthfulness, humility, contentment, compassion and love. Sikhs cannot hide by looking like everyone else and relinquishing their uniform and responsibilities. Sikhism is all about equality between genders, no caste, belief in God as the one and Almighty that is the only one to pray to.

[@AjaySingh-nd6hn]

All religion have those qualities of uniqueness.one needs to take time and study. All religions teach that sikhism teaches.it upto us to realise what works best for us. Spirituality is a journey of self enlightment its not necessary that enlightenment can only be persued through sikhism.everyone is different and same in their own unique ways.looks dont make you different as person.one need to feel different. Differentiating by looking unique outside is like seeking approval from people.honestly no one cares much how one looks.

[@meghansmith-ragle9167]

I meant *you