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ORATOR Raa ORATOR 2012-2013 QUARTER IV CLUB MAG, DUBAI CHAPTER 7492 AREA 7, DIV B, DISTRICT 20
ORATORRaa
ORATOR
2012-2013 QUARTER IV
CLUB MAG, DUBAI CHAPTER 7492
AREA 7, DIV B, DISTRICT 20
. WHAT IS TOASTMASTERS INTERNATIONAL? A. Toastmasters International is a non-profit educational organization that aims towards ones communication, public speaking and leadership skills through a worldwide network of meeting locations. Ralph C. Smedley (February 22, 1878 – September 11, 1965) was the founder of Toastmasters International. The organization has more than 280,000 members in 13,500 clubs in 116 countries. Q. WHY SHOULD YOU JOIN A TOAST MASTERS CLUB?
Toastmasters International helps men and women learn the arts of speaking, listening, and
thinking – vital skills that promote self-actualization, enhance leadership potential and foster
human understanding.
Members in a toastmasters club work through a series of educational programs (at their own
pace) designed to improve their ability to write speeches, design presentations, and deliver
them.
Leadership and communication skills are intimately bound. Some might argue that
leadership is nothing more than the ability to effectively communicate a vision. As your
communication skills improve, your ability to lead will improve as well.
Q. CAN I HAVE SOME IDEA ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS DURING A TOAST MASTERS MEETING?
A. There are three basic parts to the Toastmasters meeting: the prepared speeches, Table
Topics, and evaluations.
In the prepared speaking portion of the meeting, several Toastmasters will give a prepared
presentation or speech before the group. Speeches are usually designed to meet the
requirements of one of the projects in the communication manuals.
"Table Topics" is an extemporaneous speaking exercise where the speaker speaks "off the
cuff"; that is, the speaker responds to a question or topic that is not known beforehand
Feedback is called evaluation, and it is the heart of the Toastmasters educational program.
You observe the speeches and leadership roles of your fellow club members and offer
evaluations of their efforts, and they do the same for you. The purpose as an evaluator is to
provide honest reaction in a constructive manner to the person’s efforts, using the
evaluation guides provided.
Q. WHY DUBAI CHAPTER TOASTERMASTERS CLUB
A. Dubai Toastmasters, the mother toastmasters club of Dubai, gathering a wealth of
experience from the past 15 years. Our Club stands proud as members and guests learn by
speaking to groups and working with others in a supportive environment. Our club is
representation of something more than a typical toastmasters club where 20 to 30 members
meet once every fortnight for about 2 hours. Each meeting gives everyone an opportunity to
practice conducting meetings, giving impromptu speeches, presenting prepared speeches,
and offering constructive evaluation.
DUBAI
CHAPTER
7492
AREA 7, DIV B, DISTRICT 20
PRESIDENT Beena George 050 8546254
VICE PRESIDENT-EDUCATION
Sandeep Adnani 050 4683137
VICE PRESIDENT-MEMBERSHIP
Gemma Zust 050 6591102
VICE PRESIDENT- PUBLIC RELATIONS
Deepak Gulati 055 6681921
TREASURER Radhakrishnan Kadunganattil
050 6760093 [email protected]
SECRETARY Abdul Khaliq 050 4500802
SERGEANT AT ARMS Denson Mathews
050 4576342 [email protected]
Meeting Schedule
Alternate Monday
0715-0930 pm
Al futaim training
centre
Rashidiya
dubai
Message from the Editor’s Desk
Dear Members,
Wassuppppppppp !!!
It becomes quite a task when you start on a journey, thinking that you might be alone. But when you
realize during the course of the journey, you have those helping hands, peers and inspirers along the
way, people who turn anything difficult to as smooth as a chocolate mousse; it becomes … a joy ride…
At times, I experienced pressure, even though my major responsibility as VP-PR was to issue 4 Orators,
one per quarter. What came along the way is the support that you as a member have provided me time
and again. Having said that, the last quarter of the magazine, has been most challenging so far. Reason
being that this time, we had to issue the magazine before that quarter ends, unlike last 3 quarters where
I had the liberty to shift it to the first meeting of the next quarter. To tell you the truth, there was a time,
where I was almost thinking that either it is not possible or the Orator will come just about mediocre.
But MY O MY…look at this issue of our own club mag. Coolness and awesomeness…In my opinion, we
are nothing but the best when it comes to releasing the best of the issues. This also gave me the
opportunity to motivate many of you to stretch you a bit and yes it fetched me results. But let me
emphasize, motivation alone achieves nothing, unless it is perfectly blended with teamwork and thumbs
up to enthusiastic members that we are blessed to have with us.
Like the trend we started, in this issue, you get to know more about your own VP (the funny way of
course), Tête-à-Tête with DTM Uma on her toastmasters journey...Inspiring article working as a cherry
on the cake by DTM Colonel Mohammad Murad, variety of many stirring and distinctive pieces of
writing, the DTAC experience from many of us and pics, snapshot of the awards and theme of the last 5
meetings, a leadership crossword corner for you and the talent corner of D’chaps who believe that
photography is a serious business…
Once again, before I part ways as VP-PR, I wish to thank and congratulate again each and every member
of D’chaps…for being what they were and what they are…
Till next time… Adios, Amigos…
Enjoy reading, Deepak Gulati VP-PR Dubai Chapter, Editor-Orator, 2012-2013
Message from the President
Dubai chapter has always been close to my heart and I am proud of being part of this prestigious club,
the Mother Club of Dubai and Northern Emirates. And so, quite obviously a great club to lead.
One year whizzed past like the snap of a finger. Throughout the year, through all our fabulous meetings
we experienced the ‘Serious – element’ and ‘Fun – element’. We had 26 themed meetings – A to Z. This
was definitely a challenge to the TMODs, whose spectrum of creative thinking was challenged.
We had special meetings for Ramadan, Diwali, Christmas and Valentine’s Day. There was also a Contest
and a Debate during the year. The Break time in D’chap meetings was another exciting part, with
mouthwatering snacks and a different variety every time. One of the things we ensured was a good
reception committee for every meeting to welcome new members. This reflected in the amazing
number of new members enrolled during the year.
There were serious contests International Speech Contest, Evaluation Speech Contest, Humorous
Speech Contest, Table Topic Speech Contest & Debate. Alongside we also had fun events like the BBQ
party amidst a rainy day and our Annual Party at India Club with members and their families.
Notable and gratifying are the achievements of members that brought laurels to the club. Kudos to each
one of them.
DTM Mohd Murad – The first International Vice – President.
DTM Uma Radhakrishanan – Regional Advisor -11. Also the recipient of International President’s
Citation Award this year, one of the most prestigious Award for a Toastmaster.
TM Seetha Sagaran, the champion speaker of our club represented the club, Area, Division and DTAC.
TM Ramesh Anathraman, completed his DTM
Dubai Chapter received two awards at DTAC. One for maintaining the forty members and the other for
adding 20 new members.
Throughout the journey we learned & laughed, explored & experimented. And of course we did have an
amazing and enriching experience also.
Serving as the Club President this year , I was glad that I was blessed with an amazing team of
professionals who’s dedication & sincerity was instrumental in running our club.
Am grateful to ….
TM Abdul Rahman who opened most of our meetings with energy, enthusiasm and a difference.
TM Abdul Kahliq, his creative MOM’s added color &vivid image specially for those who were not able to
attend the meeting.
TM Radhakrishnan, for his sincere, thorough, professional & dedicated service as Treasurer.
TM Deepak, for bringing out 4 Orators, our in house magazine. This is an unprecedented achievement in
the history of Dubai Chapter.
TM Gemma, for her dynamic–drive of inducting 30 new members and also regularly conducting
orientation for new members.
TM Sandeep, for having arranged all the role players for all meetings. With number of educational
sessions.
I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of my journey this year. And wish the new executive committee led
by TM Gemma all success as they embark on the New Year from July 1st 2013.
D’ Chaps thank you for enriching my learning experience.
Shukran Jazeelan and Ma’a salama.
TM Beena George
President - 2012-13
Dubai Chapter, Club # 7492,
Area 7, Division B, District 20
Message from the Vice President - Education
You learn best in moments of enjoyment. How true has this saying been for me! Time does fly and at the end of my tenure at VP Education, I can only look back and say it was truly and enjoyable learning experience. When I was gearing up for this role, I was told that this was the toughest of the Ex-com roles and the most time consuming as well. Being Assistant to VP Education in the past made me wonder what the hype was all about, but when the responsibility does come on your shoulder, you have to shoulder it well :-). And that was the time when I actually came to know what everybody meant. Nothing is indeed possible without team effort and it is the effort of my two main pillars – Michelle and Ambuj that helped me see through this role and I would like to thank them for their extra ordinary efforts. Khaliq was a blessing in disguise as he helped me put the Education Awards in place, and I owe him one. And then again it was the strong backing of the Ex-com led by a headstrong leader and the ever so enthusiastic D’Chaps that made it possible for me to achieve my goals smoothly! As Team Education we achieved a lot this year, we got the sequenced meetings (A-Z) in place, we have the Education & Mentor Awards going out, we achieved the DCP points, the role players got the importance with the Best Role player Of The Day award, we had the Education sessions and what I felt good was about the fact that we had . We might have dropped the ball on a couple of occasions but when we look back at the quality of meetings this year, I would say we did well and it makes us smile :-) Don’t want to sound cliché, but it was indeed a pleasure working with this ever amazing and enthusiastic team from the word go!
TM Sandeep Adnani
DO YOU KNOW
Name Valsakumar Parameshwaran Menon aka VP
How young are you…DOB Depends on how young you want me to be…7th Feb 1967
Family Mom, Wife, Son, Daughter, Sreedevi, Toastmasters…
Work experience 24 years of learning and it continues…
Is your name the longest in your family
My mom’s name is ”Chathanathu Padinjarenadathil Devayani Amma”
What would be a dream job for you
Owner of a resort in Bali “VP’s Island” (Very Passionate Island)
Qualification or Experience, what’s your take….
Experience it…always…
What does humor mean to you
Add smiles to life
What do you consider your strongest USP
People around me “trust” me. I pray that I never break anyone’s trust in me.
One thing about you that is still a secret & now can be shared
I failed miserably in my first crush, my second crush, my third crush, my fourth crush and the saga continues…
Who is your best critic Me as of now but maybe soon my daughter Sanjana
If you were a movie character, which one would it be & why?
Don Corleone in Godfather. Reminds me of my teenage
years.
What gives you ultimate joy When I am able to make someone else happy
What is the best advice you have got till now
Everything happens for good and only for good
Weekend is for. . . What’s that?
What do you think of Facebook…
Who needs television when you have so much drama on Facebook.
What bugs you Hypocrisy
Your latest gadget is
My wife’s used, misused & abused iPhone
Favorite Sport Being the customer when my daughter plays a beautician
What impresses you Humility
What scares you most Everything that my son does…reminds me of ME!
Favorite Movie
My life
Favorite Bollywood Song The only song I can sing in full “Chalte Chalte Mere Ye Geet Yaad Rakhna” from the movie Chalte Chalte
Hunch or experience Take it as it comes
Something that you could eat anytime
Any food for thought
What makes you yawn Overconfidence
I wish I had…. A world with no borders
Your TM “the” moment Sure to come
WHAT COMES TO YOUR MIND WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT:
TOASTMASTERS Friends
KIDS Failed protection
SOCIAL MEDIA Unholy exposure
HAVING MILLION $ IN UR HAND Need bigger hands
MCDONALDS
Siddhant’s favorite burger
IN LAWS Good souls
STAGE FEAR Yes, the stage is indeed scared of me
PSYCHOLOGY Mind over matter
PUBLIC SPEAKING Toastmasters
QUESTIONS THAT CAN BE ASKED ONLY TO VP
In your own biography, what would be the last chapter about?
The VP Sequel
Why new age superheroes stopped wearing underwear on top of the clothing?
Still with laundry
If all the nations in the world are in debt, where did all the money go?
It’s in VP’s hands…remember
Do you believe in ghosts…Yes / No…Why???
Yes, most of them are living though
When dog food is new and improved tasting, who tests it?
Come on Deepakkkkkkkkkkkkk, give me a break
Have you ever imagined how it would like at the top? Lush green fields with a cool breeze and clear skies covered with vibrant colors of flowers sprinkled all over the field fading towards infinity. It is amazing to notice that when you are at the top, there is a feeling of serenity and euphoria that would momentarily block your view of what would come your way in the future. The good news is there will be many instances in your life that this state of mind will occur; the bad news is there is no top, only holding stations (plateaus). The only indication that you would get whether you are at the top of a specific stage in life would be from your inner self. In the race to the top, you will only be in one of these two states of mind: Racing upwards or on a plateau.
Here are some advice which had helped me succeed through many races to the top, and yes there are many more to come. While Racing Upwards: - There would be a feeling that the climb is too steep and a sense of tiredness creeps in urging you to rest. The weather seems gloomy and many storms hover on the horizon. - Make sure you have enough stamina to get you through this race. - While climbing, you will come across many people who are aiming for the same top, either help them or be courteous to them as they are in the same state of mind as you are. - Do not look back, as every time you look back, you will be pulled back and the race will become longer. - Take a warriors rest when needed, calculated, measured and discipline yourself to stick by it. - Remind yourself that there is bound to be a plateau to be reached. When you reach a Plateau: - Breathe a sigh of relief; enjoy the scenery, the breeze and a sense of achievement.
- Look down and enjoy the hurdles that you had overcome. - Take a warriors rest, but while resting, prepare mentally for the next race to the top. - While on a plateau, you will encounter many choices and paths, choose the next one carefully, as an easy one may be treacherous while others may be deadly. - Never take a long time resting on a plateau, for they are unstable and will cave it at some point. This might seem like A Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings movie. But if you apply this to any segment of your lives, you will find that it will apply. So the question is where you are right now and where is your next plateau?
DTM Colonel Mohammed Murad
DTM UMA RADHAKRISHNAN Being a fairly new addition to the Dubai Chapter Toastmaster family, DTM Uma Radhakrishnan was a common name that I kept hearing amongst toastmasters at meetings. On 10 June 2013, there was an email sent out announcing that she had been awarded the International Presidential Citation Award. My curiosity continued to heighten so I decided to inquire into this famous Toastmaster. I learnt so much from the short time that I got to interact with her. She is a gem to Toastmasters International and an open source of wisdom. As a point of information the International Presidential Citation Award is awarded every year to the most deserving members at the Toastmasters International Convention. This award is not chosen by vote, but granted solely at the discretion of the International President. It is to acknowledge an outstanding Toastmaster who, over the years, has made outstanding contributions to his or her club and district, as well as the organization. DTM Uma Radhakrishnan will receive her award at the 82nd International Convention at the Duke Energy Convention Center in Cincinnati, Ohio this year. Definitely well deserved! Hearty Congratulations to you DTM Uma Radhakrishnan once again from all of us D’chaps! I had a great opportunity to ask her a few questions. Readers…enjoy the treat…. 1) Why did you join Toastmasters International to begin with? My husband RK Nair joined a club first (in Kuwait) and he seemed extremely happy and pleased with himself. We wanted to do something different as a family. During those days our daughter Parvathi who was 11 at the time used come along to meetings as a spectator. It was good quality family time for us. 2) What has kept you motivated to be an active member of Toastmasters? This is one program where there’s continuous learning… and you cannot help but improve … And I’m always addicted to learning new tricks. 3) What would you advise fellow toastmasters especially fresh toastmasters starting their journey?
Giving is Getting! If you want to get what you want from the program you’ve got to give it all you have got. There are no short-cuts. Take your Toastmasters oath seriously and actively contribute to your growth and your fellow member’s growth. 4) When you heard about the International Presidential Citation Award, how did you react, what was your first thought? Delight followed by Thankfulness…and a refrain in my mind “Ask not, and thou shall receive” or better put “Progress is to keep doing what you do best without expecting anything in return”… and the rest will come! 5) Other than toastmasters what else do you like to do in your free time? First off, Toastmasters is not something I do doing my spare time …it’s a full time love. I also love Music, Reading, Talking to people and Yoga 6) What has been your most memorable speech/ experience with toastmasters? I thoroughly enjoyed delivering ‘The mono-drama’ from the Interpretive Reading manual at the Dubai Chapter. I cannot single out an experience that is memorable, but I love it when the advice and guidance I give helps resolve a challenged situation. 7) What is your personal motto in life? “When you love what you do, you’ll never ‘work’ another day in your life.” And I’ve never worked a day in my life. 8) How would you describe yourself in three words? “Uma Menon Radhakrishnan” – That’s who I was, am and always will be! 9) What are your future plans in toastmasters? Toastmasters is an endless journey and each role brings in new learning! I will always aspire to learn more. 10) How has being a part of toastmasters, if at all, helped you in other areas of your life? I wish the question didn’t have an ‘if at all’ in it! I attribute all my success in the Professional front to Toastmasters! It has given wings to my dreams and added a touch of substance, finesse and class to whatever I’ve attempted in my life. If you see Confidence, Accomplishment and Strong leadership traits it is because Toastmasters taught me how!
Interviewed by Sadaff Habib
Toastmasters - A Step to Self-Realization
As Toastmasters we are familiar with words like inspiration, courage, determination, motivation etc. The
belief in qualities they represent enhances our identity as Toastmasters. As many of us who have had
the ‘Toastmasters Influence’ in life would endorse, the program and the members improve our lives,
relationships, and environment and allow us to make the world a better place.
What has Toastmasters brought about in your life? Apart from the program enhancing your confidence
and performance as a professional, what are the myriad ways in which it has made your life better?
As a non-Toastmaster, about 9 years ago, I was not aware that –
1. An open admission of my ignorance in a task to the team members would only heighten their
interest to share their wisdom with me.
2. Refusal to pass judgment based on my limited awareness and knowledge of the situation would
enable me to understand better, to contribute to the situation or relationship more effectively.
3. People are different and their strengths lie in varied facets of their personalities. If we have not
been able to recognize their strengths or bring out the best in them, the possibility is that we
have not put in adequate efforts in investigating and analyzing those strengths.
4. Responding to possibilities and opportunities with an open, positive mind with interest and
courage enriches and enlightens lives – of us and others.
5. Changes are inevitable in our journey through life. What we wish to change within ourselves
determines how we react to the changes around us.
6. It is differences in personalities that make the process of learning from others truly interesting.
7. Age is an inconsequential criterion in acquisition of knowledge and wisdom. The Child can
indeed be the Father of Man.
8. The challenging personalities whom we come across in our lives are those whom we learn the
most from or whose impact makes us stronger and better-prepared to enjoy life.
9. Openness and flexibility help us to communicate better with others. More importantly, they
help us to appreciate the beauty of life better.
10. The larger perception of life enables us to understand that many problems that we consider
difficult or impossible to solve are not so bad after all, once we analyze the root causes.
Relationships strained by lack of communication are easily restored and strengthened by an
active desire at restoration and the necessary follow up.
11. We can be the change we wish to see in the world through written, oral and verbal
communication.
12. Communication skills are vital for happiness and success.
13. Listening skills play a valuable role in mutual enlightenment and enrichment.
TM Seetha Sagaran
For a long time I scratched my head on what to write about. I usually can't write about anything - it has
to be something that I deeply believe in or something that moves me or something that's informative /
useful for who reads it - that's the kind of writing I identify with. And so when I promised to send an
article across to VP PR for the Orator, on the spur of the moment I agreed to send one and then couldn't
zero in on a topic or find the time for it. Finally something came up this morning in the shower and so
here goes....
I wanted to share with you how I zeroed in on the business that I'm in right now. For your information, I
run a Training and Management Consultancy company called Dream Doers - yes we help people Do their
Dreams. Vision with Execution - Goals with Solid Action - that's what we are all about.
I probably carried around this dream of mine for at least 10 years if not more of being my own boss, of
starting my own company but it only remained in thoughts and words and never in action mainly
because I wasn't financially ready to leave the corporate world of employment with an almost
guaranteed fat paycheck at the end of the month irrespective whatever happens with the world.
Another hurdle was that I couldn't zero in on what kind of business I wanted to do. I had multiple
interests and multiple talents and so I sailed from one thought to another - one day I could own a ladies
garment making shop to another day I could be running a marketing and public relations firm - yet
another day I could be running a beauty parlour or perhaps an event management firm or maybe even a
party planner shop!!!! Boy oh boy the options were never ending but one thing I was sure of - I would
only be in a business which was close to my heart, something I could relate to and something where I
could put myself in the shoes of my customer and think and function from that angle.
And so all these thoughts went around in my head and heart for a long time until 2008 when I met a
trainer called Balachandran Gopinath. Now Bala Sir as I fondly call him, who is also my mentor today, is
an expert world-class speaker and trainer with 15 years corporate experience and 20 years trainer
experience and we'll be working together very closely for Dream Doers. Back then in 2008 we used to
bring Bala Sir from India to run the training programs for the retail and wholesale members of Dubai
Gold and Jewellery Group. And since I was so fond of training myself, I used to sit in all his classes. Now
one of the most outstanding qualities of Bala Sir I noticed during his trainings was his ability to explain
complicated ideas in very simple terms so that everyone understood completely and could apply the
ideas easily.
And so, in one of his classes, he mentioned the concept of Core Competence. Now this is an easy
exercise to find out your core strengths and which could also serve as a guidance to choose your career
or business path. And this is how you do it.
How to find out your core competence:
Step # 1 - Prepare List A containing all the things and activities that make you happy and you
love doing.
Step # 2 - Now from List A, filter and prepare another List B which contains all the activities
which you are good at doing or have a talent in.
Step # 3 - Finally from List B, filter and take out those activities that you could make a living out
of and make your List C. Now this is the final list from which you could choose your path for
career or business.
And so my friends this simple process helped me to focus and zero in on my life path - that of training
and consultancy and also because it's a relatively easy business to get into with minimal investment - the
main investment is that of intellectual property and time and experience. And also because giving gyan
(Hindi for advice) is probably something that all of us do well - practicing it ourselves is where the catch
is :-) And so here I am in the process of building my dream business. Hope this process works for you
too. Before leaving, an inspiring note for all of you - one that I would recommend you to read a million
times to your souls and spirits so that it really sinks in and you do something about it.
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond
measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be
brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your
playing small doesn't serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people
won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make
manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our
own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we're liberated from
our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” - Marianne Williamson
TM Swapna Nair
Mark Twain has often been quoted as saying — “Everybody talks about the weather, but nobody does anything about it.”
Now, replace the word ‘weather’ with ‘record keeping’ and you will come to know what I mean.
There must be thousands of articles written on record-keeping, lots of preaching and teachings given by our elders on it. But, over a period of time and, to my surprise, many of my prospects, clients and friends have not done any record-keeping and even if they have, they are not in order.
In layman’s language, record-keeping is to know and keep track of all important documents. Now, let me explain why it is so important.
Being in the financial planning industry for over a decade, I have come across one of the most tragic and sad events of my life, which has compelled me to think very strongly about record-keeping.
One of my prospects’ family suffered for not keeping records properly. Mr. and Mrs. VIP, a family of four, had settled in Dubai. Mr. VIP was in his early 40s, wife in her late 30s and had a seven-year-old son and a three-year-old daughter.
In January 2006, as a routine, I started calling up all my prospects to greet them for the New Year and also fix up appointments.
When I called up Mr. VIP, the receptionist at his office said he had passed away. The news was shocking, but it was more shocking to know that his wife, who was an educated lady, did not know anything of her husband’s investments and savings. I wondered why Mr. VIP hadn’t shared his investment details with his wife. To make the matters worse, he hadn’t kept his important financial documents in a designated place. Mr. VIP’s wife was facing the consequences of not keeping records. Hithero, a homemaker, now she had to work to meet her family’s expenses. I advised her to check the post regularly, as banks, investments and insurance firms mostly correspond through postal services.
We also asked Mr. VIP’s friends whether they had done any investments/savings/insurance/bank account, etc. together.
One day, while we were checking the mail, we got hold of some important documents regarding a FCNR deposit amounting to $50,000, which was about to mature in a month’s time.
Now, the wife had to arrange and post all the relevant documents regarding the FCNR to redeem it.
At this juncture, I really felt the importance of teaching banking basics to all family members, including children.
Finally, we did manage to get the money, but with great difficulties. The whole situation would have been easier if Mr. VIP had informed his wife and a well-wisher of the family about his investment details. The reason why a third party has to be involved is, because, we cannot rule out the possibility of husband and wife dying together.
As a financial planner, I would advise the readers to start making a note of all the important papers such as bank account details, fixed deposits, mutual funds folio number, insurance policy number, property papers, jewelry bills, etc.
Keep all the original papers in proper order and at the right place. It should be a rough version of a will.
I also advise to keep updating it every six months. Keep all the papers in a place, which is easily accessible to your beneficiaries. If possible, give a copy in a sealed envelope to one of your relatives or a well-wisher, who will act as an executor after your death and help your beneficiaries get the money.
One good thing in this country is that direct taxation compels an individual to keep records for the tax authorities, if not for the wife or relatives.
Keeping a record of your possessions helps us to be disciplined and organized. This exercise will give you peace of mind.
“It helps to keep the beneficiaries and a well-wisher informed about your investments”
TM Aadil Kadri
May I Have Your Attention, Please!!! Maybe you have been there or maybe not. You might go there someday or might not. If you have
been there than you certainly can relate to what I am going to say. If you have not been there than
it’s even more important for you to read on as you might want to consider this while planning your
next trip. However, you need to ensure that place still exists when you go there. In order to do that I
need your help, NOW!!!
Personally, have I been there? Unfortunately No. Do I wish to go there? Certainly YES. Will I go there?
It’s on the wish list. I go there or I don’t, it doesn’t really matter. What matters is I will do whatever I
can to ensure whoever goes there finds it as it supposed to be. And I will help!!!
If you have been there and want others to see what you have seen, experience what you have
experienced than I want you to help too. How? We will come to that in a moment. First let’s scuba
dive into one of the Seven Natural Wonders of World.
Wikipedia Says
The Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest coral
reef system composed of over 2,900 individual
reefs and 900 islands stretching for over 2,600
kilometers (1,600 mi) over an area of
approximately 344,400 square kilometers (133,000
sq mi) The reef is located in the Coral Sea, off the
coast of Queensland, Australia.
The Great Barrier Reef can be seen from outer
space and is the world's biggest single structure
made by living organisms. This reef structure is
composed of and built by billions of tiny
organisms, known as coral polyps. It supports a
wide diversity of life and was selected as a World Heritage Site in 1981.
Natural Wonder of the World
The Great Reef Barrier is declared one of the seven
Natural Wonder of the World due to it’s bio-
diversity. It is a home to thousands of different
species, in particular some of them are considered
vulnerable or endangered around the world. 1,500
species of fish, 30 species of sharks, six species of sea
turtles, saltwater crocodile are just few of the
thousand species thriving and enjoying the secluded
part of the world.
1.7 million birds use the site to breed. 2,195 know
plant species and thousands of different corals can
be found at the Reef.
The Threat
For past few decades environmental threats, pollution
and climate change have been a threat to the very
existence of the Reef and the bio-diversity, now a new
threat is hovering to eliminate it from the map. That
threat is bigger than any other threat as fast tracked
mega ports, dredging, dumping and 7,000 ship
superhighway have been announced by the Australian
Government. If those projects continue they bound to
destroy the Reef and the bio-diversity surrounds it.
The Campaign
Currently Fight for the Reef campaign is requesting people around to globe to sign up for a petition to
stop Australian Government from approving those
projects.
The World Heritage Committee is currently meeting in
Cambodia from June 16-25 and discuss the future of
the Reef. We need to send a strong message that it’s
time to take leadership and protect this global
treasure.
Fight for the Reef will present this petition to the
Committee in Cambodia – this is a critical opportunity
for you to have the ear of decision-makers at the
highest level. Your signature will let the World Heritage
Committee know that you are watching their decision
and will look for their leadership in forcing the
Queensland and Australian governments to give the
Reef the protection it needs.
Click here to sign the petition or visit www.fightforthereef.org.au
TM ABDUL KHALIQ
Hello Dear Reader,
My name is Mr. Turtle and
this is my family. I love my
family as you love yours.
Please help me save my
family by signing up the
petition. It will take only
few seconds. I Promise!!!
As we go about the daily grind of our lives, in our work and our family, there are many instances where
we disagree and fight and there are less instances where we unite and fight back together as a family as
an organization.
Today’s story is how my subconscious mind allowed me to lean on my family when there was lots of
pressure in work and come out successful(finally)
It was 3:00 AM on Tuesday morning; my wife had a headache and was not able to sleep.
Soon she woke up in pain and got an aspirin, the medication did not help.
Now she tried waking me up, this very night I came late from office and still had unfinished business, a
software bug and with this unfinished business was still running on my mind, I hit the bed earlier than
usual time and slept in no time.
Now my wife is trying to wake me up and here I am in my sleep and trying to solve the issue from my
work.
After a long time, with barely open eyes, I began to mutter that "the script is ready, the script is ready".
My wife told me that she is having severe head ache and cannot sleep.
I gave her a quick solution
This is what I told her
“My script is ready, do not worry, we will close the bug in no time"
Honey if you still have the headache, I will write a script which will trigger after every
time you have a head ache and it will apply a balm on your forehead until the headache
is no more"
Do not worry, we will close this bug"
My wife got worried; she knew there was a bigger crisis at work, which I am still carrying in my head.
She applied balm on her forehead and somehow managed to get sleep.
The next morning, I had no clue about the solution I gave her. She asked me about the bug, I told her my
script is ready to be tested, the bug will get resolved
She gave a pat on my back and did not discuss about her headache.
It was another day I would have got a huge dressing down about not caring and not applying the balm in
the middle of the night, but today here I was perfectly all right even after no efforts.
Everyone figures out sooner or later there is nothing called a work life balance, if I shortchange and
mess up my work, my family life is not going to come out great.
This brings us to the question about why do we need a big crisis at work to unite us.
Nevertheless, the solution stuck with me so good that every time I have an issue, I start thinking of
bigger issues in life
Now whenever my kids or wife wakes up in the night, I start muttering…
"My script is ready, do not worry, we will close the bug in no time"
TM Abdul Rahman
Like all of us in this world, I too am a Random thinker. I have thoughts almost every second, and I have a
vague sense of direction that I want to take my life in. Come December each year, I also would have a
sense of disappointment that I could have achieved more in that year.
Let me talk about the importance of setting goals in our lives. Did you know that 95% of us have never
had written personal goals. Yet a 100% of us know exactly where to drive to when we get into the car
every day, well on most days anyway. Putting goals on paper, has transformed my life.
For starters, writing goals down has definitely reduced my stress levels. Keeping things in mind always
carried an additional stress – what if I forget, and many a times, I did. It is quite liberating to put
thoughts on paper in itself and it also acts as a great starting point towards setting goals. Instead of
worrying about remembering things, I could focus on worrying about getting them done! Once I put
these goals down on paper – I realized that I wanted the sun and moon and I also wanted to sprinkle
some stars in between… which bring the next interesting aspect of goal setting – prioritization. Goal
setting helps us think which areas to focus on now, and which ones to park for later.
Another aspect of goal setting is that it helps to break down big goals into simpler, more actionable
steps. For example, one of my life goals is to travel to every country in the world – and this has been
broken down to visiting 3 new countries every year. It also makes choosing easier – so whenever I start
to plan my vacation, I know where I must head to! It gives me direction and has removed a lot of
ambiguity.
Finally, goal setting has another major advantage… completing them makes me feel good. Feeling good,
makes us complete things; but conversely, completing things, also makes us feel great. So every time I
reach a goal, I end up feeling great!
This year, I have worked on setting up new goals, and 4 months into the year, I have already achieved
more than I had all of last year! and thanks to the habit of writing them down...Does wonders you know.
I would encourage you to try it out!
TM Gaurav Khemani
Me is composed of, first my ego and, second what I like to call the light. I want the light like the white
blood cells to fight out the bacterial ego. I want to sail on spirit instead of pride, bask in truth instead of
deceit, run light like a grasshopper amongst grassy lands vast, open, free, beautiful, clear, cloudless,
fresh and breathtaking. I want to be kind, and only ever feel warmth. Alas! My human being gets in my
way. Alas! I cannot cling to this hopeful, playful, joyful innocence for eternity.
What do I do to keep it? How do I hold on to it, maintain it and nurture it? I am ready to pay the price
for what I ask.
Alas, my ego that battered witch comes back to the shore and like a winded phantom sweeps into me
with fierce vengeance spreading like wild fire and taking over my being like undying venom. Venom how
powerful and beautiful you are. Your darkness is elusively seductive, mysterious and magnetic –
powerfully mesmerizing. Come envelope me give me your power, thus I am strong.
I feel superior, powerful and above all creatures. These creatures beneath me are nothing but ants to be
squished by my egocentric heel. I shall rule, I shall conquer – gone, disseminated, deteriorated,
demolished, crushed is the angelic light as the venom smiles and whispers I conquer thee elusive, naïve
human. You are mine for the taking with you as my hands I shall cause rain of blood. I shall rule over all.
Women will be brutalized, men will kill men, children will hunger and I, ho ho ho, I shall rejoice and hold
a banquet in splendor. Oh my human flesh you are mine and now I shall complete the ultimate
destruction.
A little cry escapes- I did not want to commit such obscenities, kill- when did I reach this point? How did
I reach this point? Who brought me here? I beseech myself prodding for answers to rhetoric questions
that boomerang into my heart. You wretched venomous pride, greed, promiscuity - I shall rise and
quash you into an abyss of no return.
This had never been the plan. Human rises alight, empty but alive and breaths the fresh air amazed by
the green grasshopper hoping through the grass alight, bountiful, hopeful, basking in the glory of the
rays of the sun allowing the rays to touch and with its light purify each pore seeping in and spreading
warmth throughout my body like a fire place in winter – creating a beautiful enigmatic smile as light
whispers I shall brighten the world and spread joy, happiness and love amidst one and all.
TM Sadaff Habib
According to a survey, based on searches made on search engines, fear of public speaking is the 2nd
highest fear searched for. One of the biggest challenges of public speaking is to decide on what to speak.
I must admit that I am one of those who suffer from this ailment.
Ever since I started my Toastmaster’s journey, the biggest challenge I have faced is to decide on the
topic I wish to speak on. Most of the times I tried thinking about it, I have gone blank. I somehow
managed to find some topics to speak on. So when it was time for my P6 Project, I made a promise to
myself that I will definitely create something to speak on.
I went through the objectives of the speech, thought about any possible topics but the same result.
I thought of speaking on my experience of learning spoken Arabic. But I had hardly learnt anything to
add some vocal variety to it.
I sought help from the almighty internet. Google searched for P6 project speeches and came across
some videos and write ups. There was someone who had spoken about how to bring about change. I
just wanted one change which could help me find a topic to speak on.
To add salt to the injury, there was a suggestion from fellow toastmaster. “Why don’t you sing.“ The
suggestion was amusing and was capable of meeting all the P’s of Vocal Variety. I could sing at the right
pace, at a right pitch with pauses in between and with the correct pronunciations. But to my bad luck “I
didn’t know how to sing.”
With each passing moment, my anxiety levels only grew. The day of deliverance was close. It came to a
point where even when I would close my eyes, I could see the word “P6 Project Speech” written in front
of me.
However there was no escape from this. The only way I could get over this situation was by taking it
head on. I had to create a Project Speech which not only met the objectives but added value. As I
thought over it, I realized it doesn’t have to be anything fancy. It could be anything ranging from my day
to day life experiences to speaking of a famous personality whom I admire. It could be anything that I
could relate and enjoy delivering. But the most important thing was to make a start.
It was only when this realization came in that I could pen down my Project speech and could present to
you the challenges I faced while creating my Project Speech.
TM Ambuj Tripathi
Leadership Crossword
ACROSS:
1 - Process of developing knowledge by formal schooling or study
4 - Identification with the feelings, thoughts etc. of someone; sympathy
5 - Arriving, acting or happening at the time(s) appointed; promptness
6 - Demonstrating a willingness to work or act together for a common purpose
8 - Freedom from bias, dishonesty or injustice; marked by even conditions
11 - Friendly feeling; state of being considerate or helpful
12 - Confident or trustful dependence
15 - The character of an individual viewed as a member of society
18 - Deserving of confidence or reliance on the strength of a person; reliable
19 - Taking serious attention to; devoting; protecting; having concern for
20 - Freedom from bigotry
DOWN:
2 - Moral strength; essential quality
3 - State or instance of being accountable (something within someone's power)
7 - Behavior in accord with rules of conduct; prescribed habit
9 - To care or show consideration for
10 - Truthfulness, sincerity or frankness; freedom from deceit
13 - Bravery; quality of mind that enables a person to face difficulty or pain without fear
14 - Ability or willingness to suppress restlessness or annoyance when confronted with delay; perseverance
16 - Uncompromising adherence to right moral and ethical conduct or principles; honesty
17 - Feeling of faithfulness or allegiance to one's friend, oath or obligation
Contribution by TM Michelle Vanvelzon
OH Boy !!! What an experience…
Some of (lucky) D’chaps recently had an opportunity to attend, experience and learn from the greatness of DISTRICT 20 TOASTMASTERS ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2013 (Dtac), which held at Intercontinental Hotel, on 9-11 May 2013. Let’s see what some us had to express…. Attending DTAC -2013 in Dubai for the first time was truly an amazing learning experience. Being a part of it with stallions and stalwarts awakened in me the desire to achieve greater heights in my Toastmaster journey. The event enhanced the camaraderie and the feeling of belonging to the magnanimous fraternity – TM Beena George It’s always a pleasure to invest in attending DTAC. The time and money that you invest is well worth it for the following three reasons, in order of importance: 1. Opportunity to meet existing friends & make new friends 2. Opportunity to Unlearn & Relearn 3. Opportunity to have three wonderful days of relaxation, eat good food & party with friends (remember our session at the Belgian Beer Café) – TM VP Menon It is indeed a life time experience. The best place to meet and greet TM's from all across the region. The place to see the best of speakers who have made to that level with lots of Hard work and Practice. Would like to be there on a Platform one day as a Contestant in one of the category." – TM Aadil Kadri
It would be really unfair to dedicate a few words in honor of experience that has the power to move one from his or her seat (to clap, to whistle, to tribute) but has also the muscle to move ones inner self too...I felt all charged up to witness such greatness in 3 days…greatness that can do wonders to you… – TM Deepak Gulati
My DTAC experience began three years ago when I attended DTAC in Kuwait. The sheer adrenaline rush of listening to eloquent speeches by Toastmasters and Gaveliers, meeting passionate fellow Toastmasters in our region (U.A.E, Kuwait, Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, Qatar and Oman) and of course the learning experience is
inspiration personified. I am already looking forward to next year's DTAC - 2014 in Oman! – TM Seetha Sagaran If I had to summarize DTAC in a few words, I would like to term it as “Public Speaking Heaven”. My first tryst with DTAC was in Bahrain last year and it is then that I promised that I would never miss another one as long as I can. You need to see it in order to believe it. The learning that you get out of those 3 days is immense. So take a dip the next time you get a chance to do so, and let me know if you felt the way I did :-) – TM Sandeep Adnani DTAC this year was another WOW experience! When we step beyond the club the doors open and we realize the Wealth of Opportunity and Wisdom which is available in Toastmasters beyond our own club. At the District level we discover new heroes in other Toastmasters who have grown into inspirational, knowledgeable and revered leaders and communicators. My highlights of this year's conference were many, but I particularly treasure what I absorbed from CK's presentation on the art of using humor, and witnessing the Division elections. I look forward to next year's DTAC in the beautiful and charming Oman. – TM Gemma Zust DTAC was a great enjoyable experience. I was lucky to have an opportunity to witness the best with my daughter. The entire event was reinforcement of what Dr. Ralph C. Smedley said, “We learn best in moments of enjoyment". – TM Piyush Patel
MEETING # 457 T
H
E
M
E
DATE 01-Apr-2013
Best Table Topics Speaker
TM Balan Vijay Kumar
Best Project Speaker TM Maneesh Kaushik
Best Evaluator NA
Best Role Player TM Velu
MEETING # 458 T
H
E
M
E
DATE 15-Apr-2013
Best Table Topics Speaker
Mr Raed (Guest)
Best Project Speaker TM Lijo Thomas
Best Evaluator TM Ashok Khera
Best Role Player TM Sadaff Habib
MEETING # 459 T
H
E
M
E
DATE 29-Apr-13
Best Table Topics Speaker
TM Qaisar Amin
Best Project Speaker TM Abdul Khaliq
Best Evaluator TM Balan Vijay Kumar
Best Role Player TM Deepak Gulati
MEETING # 460 T
H
E
M
E
DATE 13-May-13
Best Table Topics Speaker
Mr Prajeet Singh (Guest)
Best Project Speaker TM Abdul Khaliq
Best Evaluator TM Mallika Ramanathan
Best Role Player TM Shahjahan Beyabani
MEETING # 461 T
H
E
M
E
DATE 27-May-2013
Best Table Topics Speaker
NA
Best Project Speaker TM Abdul Khaliq
Best Evaluator TM Sandeep Adnani
Best Role Player TM Balan Vijay Kumar
MEETING # 462 T
H
E
M
E
DATE 10-Jun-2013
Best Table Topics Speaker
TM Ashok Khera
Best Project Speaker TM Deepak Gulati
Best Evaluator TM Balan Vijay Kumar
Best Role Player TM Sandeep Adnani
MEETING # 463 T
H
E
M
E
DATE 24-Jun-2013
Best Table Topics Speaker
Mr Pulkit (Guest)
Best Project Speaker TM Deepak Gulati
Best Evaluator DTM Colonel Mohammad Murad
Best Role Player TM Swapna Nair
THE A-Z THEMED MEETINGS DURING THE YEAR
MEETING DATE MEETING
NO THEME TMOD
A 09-07-2012 438 Another side of you DTM UMA AND TM VP
MENON
B 23-07-2012 439 Bold and Beautiful TM RAMESH
ANANTHARAMAN
C 06-08-2012 440 Chapters of life TM THOMAS GEORGE
D 20-08-2012 441 Deadlines TM QASIR AMIN
E 03-09-2012 442 E......nglish is a funny language TM AADIL KADRI
F 17-09-2012 443 Feel Simple, Feel happy TM MUNEERUDIN
G 01-10-2012 444 Good to Great DTM MOHAMMAD
MURAD
H 15-10-2012 445 Harmony TM SEETHA SAGARAN
I 29-10-2012 446 I-sustainable TM ABDUL KHALIQ
J 12-11-2012 447 Just do it TM RAJESH
BALACHANDRAN
K 26-11-2012 448 Keep discovering, keep
developing, keep moving TM DEEPA KHEMANI
L 10-12-2012 449 Lying is good TM AADIL KADRI
M 24-12-2012 450 Motivate TM GEMMA ZUST
N 07-01-2013 451 Nay saying - The art of saying
no TM AMBUJ TRIPATHY
O 21-01-2013 452 Ocean of Opportunity TM ABDUL RAHMAN EL
HOUSENI
P 04-02-2013 453 Power of Perception TM PIYUSH PATEL
Q 18-02-2013 454 Qualities of Love TM MICHELLE V
R 04-03-2013 455 Red with Rage TM RADHAKRISHNAN
S 18-03-2013 456 Sugar high TM SANDEEP ADNANI
T 01-04-2013 457 Take a chance TM VELU ARUMUGAM
U 15-04-2013 458 Unleash your potential TM SADAFF HABIB
V 29-04-2013 459 VIP TM DEEPAK GULATI
W 13-05-2013 460 Wow TM SHAHJAHAN
BEYAMANI
X 27-05-2013 461 ‘X’ Variable TM BALAN VIJAYAKUMAR
Y 10-06-2013 462 Young for ever TM SANDEEP ADNANI
Z 24-06-2013 463 Zero - live to make other bigger
and better TM BEENA GEORGE
26 NEW WORDS LEARNT DURING THE YEAR MEETING DATE
MEETING
NO WORD MASTER WORD MEANING
A 09-07-12 438 TM JAFFER ALI Euphoria State of intense
happiness and self confidence
B 23-07-12 439 TM SRINIVAS DORA Sublime Charming, Eloquence,
angelic, divine
C 06-08-12 440 TM PETER Cogent Relevant,
convincing
D 20-08-12 441 TM RASINI Assiduous Paying constant
and careful attention
E 03-09-12 442 TM ALI HASNAT Dextrous Clever, Skillful
with hands, mentally adroit
F 17-09-12 443 TM MANIVANNAN Flamboyant Confident, lively in a noticeable way
G 01-10-12 444 TM ARSLEM MENDES Gargantuan Enormous,
massive and gigantic
H 15-10-12 445 TM IMRAN ALI HASSAN Palmary Outstanding, best,
praise worthy
I 29-10-12 446 TM BALAN VIJAYAKUMAR Edify Enlighten,
educate, teach and instruct
J 12-11-12 447 TM KASHIF HUSSAIN Invigorate Give strength,
energise
K 26-11-12 448 TM V P MENON Propinquity Nearness, proximity,
closeness, vicinity
L 10-12-12 449 TM ARSLEM MENDES Loquacious Talking or
tendency to talk too much or freely
M 24-12-12 450 TM RASINI Incite Start up
N 07-01-13 451 TM ALI HASNAT Nix Noun- Nothing,
Verb- reject
O 21-01-13 452 TM RADHAKRISHNAN Omniscient
Having complete or unlimited knowledge,
awareness or understanding
P 04-02-13 453 TM SADDAF HABIB Sagacious Intelligent, wise,
learned, perceptive
Q 18-02-13 454 TM AMINE Cherish Care or adore,
love
R 04-03-13 455 TM MARIA ZAVERY Rancor Feeling of deep
and bitter anger, ill will
S 18-03-13 456 TM WAQUAR AHMED Saccharine Excessively sweet,
overly sentimental
T 01-04-13 457 TM NAGY EL WAKEEL Jubilant Showing great joy,
satisfaction or triumph, rejoicing
U 15-04-13 458 TM RADHAKRISHNAN Ubiquitous
Being or seeing to be everywhere at
same time, omnipresent
V 29-04-13 459 TM ABDUL RAHMAN EL
HOUSENI Lollapalooza
An extra ordinary or unusual thing, person or event
W 13-05-13 460 TM MANISH GOYAL Milieu
Atmosphere, environment,
ambience, location
X 27-05-13 461 TM WAQUAR AHMED Perspicacious Insightful, wise, sagacious, smart
Y 10-06-13 462 TM JIYAS PK Vernal Fresh and young, youthful, vigorous
Z 24-06-13 463 TM SWAPNA NAIR Cipher
Zero, Something of no value, Person of no influence.
Answer to the Leadership Crossword
D’Chap Talent Zone - Photography
And that’s not about it… these are the pics clicked by VP menon, Abdel Rahman El Housseiny, Sandeep Adnani and Deepak Gulati…
You know us all, make an effort to guess who has clicked what and get away with an exciting prize…the answers with the winner will be put in the next Orator…Keep in touch with your VP-PR Mohammad Abdul Khaliq for more info, who will also send you a list of the entries…
