Independence Day Celebration @ Sunshine

Spirit of freedom was eloquently flowing in the words every sun-shiner!! Freedom of speech was being exercised in perfect way!!

“Tiranga”, India’s National flag had colored the festive mood of Sunshine’s 544th meeting… We, Sun-shiners celebrated the “64th Independence day of India”.

President Jose in his special speech shared the Great Visions of India’s past president, rocket man and visionary leader “Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam”. Let me put it in APJ’s words.

1. FREEDOM - India got its first vision of this in 1857, when we started the war of independence. It is this freedom that we must protect and nurture and built on. If we are not free, no one will respect us.

2. DEVELOPMENT - For fifty years we have been a developing nation. It is time we see ourselves as a developed nation. We are among top 5 nations of the world in terms of GDP. We have 10 percent growth rate in most areas. Our poverty levels are falling; our achievements are being globally recognized today. Yet we lack the self-confidence to see ourselves as a developed, self reliant and self assured nation.

3. The India must STAND UP TO THE WORLD. Unless India stands up to the world, no one will respect us. Only strength respects strength. We must be strong not only as a military power but also as an economic power. Both must go hand-in-hand.

Authenticity in his words made each of think and work towards realizing APJ’s dreams of “Developed India”. The speech awakened the patriot in every Sunshiner!!

Table topic master Anand had wisely designed the topics to ignite the nationalism and integrity of speakers. The session was flooded with the ecstasy of patriotism…

Lastly, National Anthem “Janagana Adhinaayaka Jayahe……” in Latha’s voice took us to the nostalgic mood…!! We paid our tribute to the brave freedom fighters, who surrendered their lives for the nation’s integrity!!

Let those immortal souls rest in peace!!

Let that patriotic euphoria be alive forever!!

Wanna calm the fluttering butterflies in your stomach??

Yessss!! There is a way out!! Very Simple...!! When you are forced to fight with the fluttering butterflies often, U get used to it :) Table topic session of the toast masters meeting is specially designed to push you towards achieving it !!
Today I had the chance to pull people out to speak on exciting topics :)) yeah...  I was the table topic master of the day...!!
How do you feel when some one asks you to express your views on "Time Management" when you are really late for the event??
Doesn't it make you feel like running out of the place.... ;) But U cant ;-)
Like every other Thursday, I was late for TM meeting.. and theme of the day was "Time Management". I, being table topic master, was asked to express my opinion on Time Management. ouchhhhh!! being 15 min. late, I really don't have any moral rights to speak on this :(( hmmmm... I need to get out of my IST(Indian Stretchable Time)...
Coming on to Today's experience, feel like I performed this role better than last time. I found myself much comfortable on the podium today!!
Had I done much research on topics......

Here goes the topic list:
1) Life is just a series of moments.If you miss the moments,you miss your life.
2) You Can’t Predict the Future, But You Can Create It
3) If You Keep Doing What Worked in the Past You’re bound to Fail
4) Approach Problems with Your Ignorance—Not Your Experience
5) The Objective of Marketing Is to Make Selling Unnecessary
6) Management is a social function and has mostly to do with people, not things and procedures
7) Every organizational unit is a direct reflection of the leadership it's been given
8) With 3G spectrum auctions, Govt of India raised 16k crores Rs. But it created negative impact on the credit metrics of telcom operators.
Could you provide your views on this...
9) Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things
10) Ideation without execution is nothing more than delusion
11) When you really want to do something the whole universe conspires to help you in achieving it!!
12) Recently Google Pulled out from china citing security threats as the main reason. Do you think this is the right business decision for a company like google?

Table Topics

Current affairs/Social issues

• If you have the privilege to transform the education system in India, How would you want the system to be?
• Recently, the U.S. Senate passed the health care bill with the vision to provide good healthcare to everyone. Could you express your ideas on how we can ensure quality healthcare to every Citizen of our nation.
• Do you think Indian Rupees /China’s Yaun can replace US $ as world’s reserve currency?
• Do you think stricter policies imposed by government can reduce pollution and make great contribution to the green earth mission?
• Your views on whether software patents should be awarded?
• Do you think quality healthcare should be made as fundamental right of every citizen?

Quotes

• "An investment in knowledge pays the best interest." -Benjamin Franklin
• Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds you plant -" -Robert Louis Stevenson
• Who we are is the result of desires backed by actions
• "Knowledge has to be improved, challenged, and increased constantly, or it vanishes." -Peter Drucker
• "It's not what we profess but what we practice that gives us integrity." -Francis Bacon
• The best way to predict the future is to create it.
• Happiness is not what you get! It is what you choose to feel.
• Ideation without execution is nothing more than delusion
• Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things.
• Desire is the turning point of all achievements – Napoleon Hill
• Common sense is the collection of prejudices acquired by age eighteen.
• Action creates clarity
• Change the way you look at things, and the things you look at change
• NO MAN HAS A CHANCE TO ENJOY PERMANENT SUCCESS UNTIL HE BEGINS TO LOOK IN A MIRROR FOR THE REAL CAUSE OF ALL HIS MISTAKES

International Speech Contest - An education session by Ian Faria

It was all set for the most awaited session!! Banjara hall was full with the excited sun-shiners looking forward to learn the art of “Winning the world championship of Public Speech”. Gracious presence of Mr. Ian Faria added color to the occasion.

The education session was led by, Ian Faria, the Founder Chairman for Toastmasters International - Territorial Council of South Asia. Ian Faria has been recognized as one of the best motivational trainers in India by the leading magazine “THE WEEK”. Victory in “Toastmasters International Taped Speech Contest 2001” added a feather to his bouquet of accolades.

Mr. Faria started the session with the quest to “Be The Best”. His question “Why win a contest” made each of us to inquire ourselves. So why does one want to win a contest?

* Speak better: Success elevates one’s confidence to a whole new level and creates a great sense of accomplishment. It greatly enhances the speaking skills.

* Be a role model: Winner sets a new standard and stands as a hero in the eyes of everyone.

* Lead better: Fundamental of leadership lies in communicating your thoughts clearly to your subordinates. Successful communicators make best leaders.

* More expected: By winning a contest you set the benchmark for yourself and everyone expects more from you. It pushes you towards much greater improvement.

* Kaizen: Philosophy or practices that focus upon continuous improvement. You go through a deep learning process when you walk in the path of success.

Then he shared the public speech winning formula with the audience. Winning speech is formed by the amalgamation of content and delivery with right proportions. The “Winning formula” is tested and has produced great results in all public speaking contests. Ian Faria provided invaluable tips to deliver the winning speech.

Content (50%):

* Crystal clear message – SOP(Content) /SLO (Single Line Objective)

* Opening ( 1 min – 150 words)

* Emphasize the key point

* Rhetorical device – similes, metaphors

* One winning phrase – repeated at least twice

* Summarize

* Close – 1 minute

* Humor

* Drama

Delivery (30%):

* Emotions – Roller coaster

* Effective, passionate

* Appropriate voice modulation

* Humor

* Break and acceleration

* Be loveable

* Powerful gestures

* Facial expression

* Avoid repeated words

* Connect to audience

* Use stage effectively

* Close – strong, effective, emotional, pause

Language (20%):

* Appropriate to audience

* Well prepared – grammar, phrases

* Rhetorical devices – similes, metaphors

Phases:

* Idea: Idea is very critical in your success. Choose something which you are passionate about, something which makes you feel like a winner before you get up from the chair!! Your speech should have great take home value to the audience. Ultimately, every one is interested in “What’s in it for me?”

* Script: Speech script should be an evidence of the creativity of the speaker. Use rhetorical devices – similes and metaphors in your speech

* Practice: Practice rigorously

* Feedback: Feedback from the mentor and club members is very crucial in the speech crafting process. It helps you to spot your weaknesses and take corrective actions.

* Compete: Present the idea with confidence.

Winning speech of 2007 “The Swami's Question” by Mr. Vikas Jhingran was being played as the demo speech. The speech combined humor with a personal tale of being a not-so- motivated student in India. Answering the swami’s question “Who am I?” helped him to improve his grades and make it to his dream college MIT(Massachusetts Institute of Technology). Speech incorporated all qualities of the best public speech and replay of this speech served as best demo for the session.

In short, key in delivering the great speech is to connect to the audience, take them in the roller coaster of emotions and leave an indelible impression.

Quitters Never Win and Winners Never Quit!! (Speech craft final day - Speech contest)

Mount Destiny!! The Majestic Mountain beside Humdrum City.

Renowned for its marvelous valleys, dense forest

Mr. Toastmaster and fellow Toastmasters,

Very few had succeeded in reaching the peak of The Mount Destiny!!

Mike, Mark and Jack were three young men "No Goal Arcade” of Humdrum City. One day they decide to climb mount destiny… They started hiking without second thought. Soon they got to “Dead End Canyon”. Headed back to No Goal Arcade!! Moral- If you fail to plan u plan to fail!!

Days past...

Their burning desire to reach peak of destiny made them to talk to every one about their dream!!

When you really want to do something the whole universe conspires to help you in achieving it!!

An elderly man, who had climbed destiny, happened to visit their arcade one day!! He mentored them to plan the expedition!!

It’s fantastic to get great ideas… But taking a step forward your goal requires courage and determination.

Our hiking troop said adieu to “No Goal Arcade” and headed towards “Mount Destiny”

The weather was very cooperative for first couple days.But then the wind and rain started. Every step got heavier and the progress they made each hour became next to nil. Frustrated! They climbed into their sleeping bags and went to sleep.

In the morning the sun broke through the clouds.Mike and Mark were excited to get going. Jack however was nowhere to be found. In his sleeping bag there was a note. "Guys, I'm going back to the arcade to my old friends. This climb is too much work and the weather is a pain. You can go on OR can join me back at the Arcade."

Mike and Mark were not detoured from their goal. The mountain peak was still there to conquer.

Crossing many terrains they found a beautiful valley named "Good Enough Valley". They camped in the valley for few days!! They played in the sun, fished and watched the wild life with great curiosity.

Mike started getting restless!! Destiny’s peak was calling him. But Mark! Decided to stay there. Good enough valley was good enough for him.

If you settle for second best that is all you will ever be or have. Mike decided to follow his heart!!

Difficult rock walls, huge boulders and fallen trees couldn’t stop him. The air became thin and his body ached from the constant push. Determined to make it to the top!! He kept going without turning back.

Finally he succeeded in reaching the apex of destiny!!

Be the man OR woman of action!! Execution!!! Be the Michelangelo of your own life!!

Dear friends, today as I graduate from this speech craft session I had decided not to settle for the good enough valley. I am continuing my journey with Toast masters till I achieve the apex of destiny

 Quitters Never Win and Winners Never Quit!!

Let those immortal souls rest in peace!!

“Aye mere Watan ke logon

Zara Aankho me bhar lo paani

Jo shaheed huye hei unki

Zara Yaad Karo kurbani!!”

Mr. Coordinator, Toastmasters & fellow speech crafters,

Kavi Pradeep’s lines were reverberating in my ears…  

My eyes were witnessing The Great India Gate –Light of immortal soldiers!! Each of its 90 thousand bricks told the unsung story of brave heroes sacrificed their lives to save us!! I paid my tribute to the golden son’s of our nation.

Tears were rolling out from my eyes!!

         

Memories of 26/11 terror attacks recoiled in my mind!!

Spineless acts of those miscreants!!

Cowards sneaked into our country to show their ironic bravery.

They aimed at paving their way to heaven by ruthlessly killing countless innocent people. They openly challenged our integrity and national security!!

Our soldiers rose to the occasion and fought with heroic courage!! Few of them made the ultimate sacrifice for the honor of our country.

FORGIVING A TERRORIST is left to GOD,but fixing their appointment with GOD is OUR RESPONSIBILITY. With this mission, brave son of our soil, Major Sandeep was leading NSG commandos @ Hotel Taj. He continuously engaged the terrorists in fierce gun fight!!

Operation Black Tornado was on!! Sandeep chased the terrorists to the next floor!!  "Guys, Do not come up, I will handle them." remained as his final good bye to the world!! He fought untiringly trodden until his last breath!!  The matchless youth won immortality by his unblemished heroism!!

Television channels broadcasted the real heroes shedding their blood for saving the lives!! We mourned, wept and screamed inside our hearts for the real heroes. Valor of our martyrs soaked in the wetness of our euphoric patriotism!! But it dries out soon as we get back to life. How many of us truly will remember them? We adore the winners of 'Indian Idol' contest, but not those who have sacrificed their lives for us.
Can anyone tell, who was the 1st martyr of the Kargil War? I know it wouldn't come to you instantly. Rack your brains, take an hour or two.. still no answer, right? Google '1st martyr of Kargil war', still you wouldn't get the answer. Thats because 'Lt. Saurabh Kalia' is a page lost in the history, almost a decade ago... Sooner 26/11 martyrs would become another page in the history!!
Till lessons are not learnt, we are going to face these attacks more frequently…

At this moment, thousands of soldiers are guarding our borders and making us feel safer in our homes and offices. Let’s salute those demi-gods who are shielding us @ the cost of their own lives!!

Let’s pay our tribute to the brave soldiers who surrendered their lives to safeguard our safety and integrity!!

Let those immortal souls rest in peace!!

Let that patriotic euphoria be alive forever!!

Back to the roots ( Project3 - ToastMasters speech craft program)

Samudravasane Pruthvi ! Parvatastana mandale!!

Vishnu Patni Namastubhyam ! Paadasparsham Kshamaswame !!

Oh! Mother earth!! I offer my humble obeisance unto you!!

You have blessed me with everything I need!!

Still I am hurting you in all possible ways to fulfill my greed!!

Oh!! Divine mother, please forgive me for keeping my foot upon you!!

Mr. Coordinator, Toastmasters and Guests,

Our ancestors worshipped the river, trees, birds, animals, water, earth, air, fire … you name it… They respected each form of life!! They had realized the divinity of the nature!!

They asked for forgiveness before placing their foot on the ground!!

But now, we, the most scientifically advanced call them superstitious..!!!

Didn’t we forget our roots, while in the race for wealth?

Impact?? Now it’s hunting us all down like a cannibal...!!!!

Today, we are getting burnt by ultra violet radiations!!

Made to breath the polluted air!!

Have to eat the apple injected with pesticides!!

We see animals and plants going extinct every day - vanishing forever!!

Rising co2 level in the atmosphere has crossed 387 PPM.

It has been increasing at a rate of 45% in last 50 years.

If continued, it rises the earth’s temperature by 6 degree Celsius in next 50 years. Penalty is… none other than… the dooms day!!

Think for a while…  Do you have the solution for all these??

Can u fix the holes in ozone layer?

Can u bring salmon back up a dead stream?

Can u bring back an animal now extinct?

No… U can't..!!

You can't bring back forests where there is desert now

You can’t bring down the earth’s temperature!!

You can’t stop the ice melting down in Antarctica!!

If you can’t fix it, at-least stop breaking it!

You are standing on the edge of a cliff; a step forward is never called as progress. It is…  suicide....!!!!

Wake up guys!! There isn’t another earth!!

Remember, not a single resource is unlimited, everything is scarce.

It’s our own duty to make sure that it stays replenished.

Contribute your 2 cents to save your own planet!! Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Repair and Recycle!!

You don’t need to walk an extra mile to do this. Just adapt simple strategies in your daily life.

–        Rethink your mode of commute

–        Ramp up your recycling strategy

–        Reduce the usage of plastic

–        Turn off the monitor after use

–        Print a page only if it is absolute necessity

–        Use the air-conditioner judiciously

–        Prolong the life of electronic gadgets

–        Eat smart – avoid paper cups

Last but not the least, plant a sapling for the birthday of your loved one. The most precious gift one can ever give!!

Go back to history; learn from the Geometry of Nature, Mimic Nature and take back where it was!! 

Nurture the nature for your own Future!

Live Green, Love Green and Think Green!!