I toast vol1_nov12

iToast
TCS MAITREE CHAMPIONS TOASTMASTERS
Welcome to the first edition of iToast – A Champions Newsletter, a product
from TCS Maitree Champions Toastmasters Club.

Nov 2012 Volume#1 Issue#1

We meet every Thursday at 02:30 PM at

TCS Maitree Champions Toastmasters Club,

Tata Consultancy Services,

ETL Infrastructure Services Ltd. SEZ,

200 Ft. Thoraipakkam - Pallavaram Ring Road,

Thoraipakkam,

Chennai - 600 096

Please share your feedback on this newsletter at champions.itoast@gmail.com

EDITORIAL TEAM
From the Editorial team:
W
TM Azhar Jafri
elcome to the first edition of a brand new Newsletter – iToast –from

a brand new Toastmasters Club – TCS Maitree Champions Toastmasters. It is
a privilege to be the first runner in what is going to a very long relay race in
Toastmasters track!

We are in the age of automatic voice response systems (press 1 for heaven,
2 for hell and 3 if you would like to go back to your old hell on earth) and
twitter style messages, confining our thoughts within 140 characters. Are
TM Murali Manohar these viable threats to our traditional communication? This is quiet
debatable. But the matter of the fact is that we need to adapt to the
technological advances of time without losing the core values of our
language system.

We, at Toastmasters, thrive to keep the values alive! Through our prepared
speeches, table topics speeches, evaluations and newsletters such as this,
we offer an established forum to enhance an individual’s verbal and written
communication as well as the leadership qualities. TCS Maitree Champions
Toastmasters has a well-supported network of both Toastmasters
TM Sushant Shendre International and TCS Maitree. So, it is with great honor that we head-
start our journey.

Well, in this edition we have various interesting articles that we believe will
make an interesting read: Members’ articles, Speech scripts, Mentors’
interviews, Contest Results, and many more. Explore and Enjoy!

- Editorial Team

Happy Reading and Happy Toastmastering!

Nov 2012 iToast – A Champions Newsletter Volume#1 Issue#1


with each other. Our newsletter “iToast” is a great
platform to share your ideas and inspire other
toastmasters to become better communicators and
better leaders. I believe “iToast” will help us to be
connected and will become a very good source of
information and inspiration.

We are starting “iToast” with interesting articles,
interviews and other creative works. You are always
welcome to bring in new ideas that are beneficial to
Toastmasters community. I request all the members
to contribute enthusiastically to “iToast”. Do not
hesitate to try out things that are new. We are here
to appreciate and support you. As we all say,
Dear Toastmasters, “Toastmasters is the safe place to try and fail”.

It is an honor and privilege to address you all Each individual has a great story that can inspire
others. Each one of us has various ideas that are
in the first edition of our club newsletter
“iToast”. It has been a wonderful journey of five uniquely ours. Only when the power of many unites,
these stories and ideas will get manifested.
months since we christened as “TCS Maitre
Champions Toastmasters Club”. I am so The “iToast” editorial team has done lot of hard work
delighted that we are growing in terms of to bring out this edition in a great shape. We are so
members and quality of our meetings. glad to have such a dedicated editorial team. I feel so
As I address this newsletter, I found it worthy to fortunate to work with the club officers, who always
give their best, are sacrificing lot of time to make
be part of the Toastmasters family. As the
every meeting a special one. I also thank each
famous saying goes “A man is known by the
member of “TCS Maitree Champions Toastmasters
company he keeps”, we take pride being in the
Club” who with his or her unique character brings
company of 2,80,000 toastmasters around the
great energy to every Toastmaster meeting.
world. Our identity as Toastmasters shaped and
nurtured by the company we belong and the
values we believe.
- TM Kalyana Chakravarthy N
As Jean-Nicolas Bouilly puts it “Whatever we
possess becomes of double value when we have
the opportunity of sharing it with others”, we as
Toastmasters need a platform to share our ideas

TCS MAITREE CHAMPIONS TOASTMASTERS Page 1


1. Since how long has Toastmasters been one of 5. Where do you see our club heading? Any advice
your interests? on what the club members should focus on to
succeed as toastmasters?
I have been part of Toastmasters for the last 2.5
years and I have loved every moment of it. It is Your club is on the right path towards success.
the best thing which ever happened to me. The quality of speeches in your very first meeting
had really impressed me.
2. How has the Toastmasters journey been till
now? Can you share any incident or event at All I would say is “Keep up the momentum and
Toastmasters that was particularly memorable? interest and the rest will follow”.

It has been a fun filled learning experience. Every 6. What are your interests apart from
Toastmasters session teaches you something. Toastmasters?

One particular incident which will stay etched in I love to read books. I also love travelling and
my memory happened in TCS Karapakkam where playing fool with my little girl.
I went as a target speaker. After my speech one of
7. Where do you see yourself in TM community
the contestants came over with tears in her eyes
down the line?
and hugged me. I was happy that I could inspire
someone with my words/Speech.  Donno. But whatever it is I always want to be a
person who can deliver effective speeches which
3. What inspired you to join Toastmasters?
can move people.
I just walked into one of the Toastmasters on a
8. What advice would you like to give a new
day when I hardly had any work. I was totally
toastmaster?
bewitched and joined TM immediately.
The power of Speech is tremendous and
4. Our club members have been awe-struck
Toastmasters is the best place where you can
whenever they have heard you speak on the
learn it.
stage. What do you recommend to someone who
wants to develop their table topics thinking 9. Which role is your favorite in a TM meeting?
ability? Why?

Blush …Blush Forget the crowd. Just think that To be honest, I don’t like playing any roles ;) I love
you are talking to your close friend in some place to sit back, listen and participate in Table Topics.
like canteen. Thoughts will automatically pour
then.



Netas! - Politicians! What comes to our How true it is when we apply it to public
speaking! Modern day politicians are all busy
mind???
reading the scripts. Barrack Obama, Manmohan
Power and Corruption. (Yes. Definitely in India! Singh! You name it. The list would definitely be
I’m not going to talk about it though. Anti- pretty long. No one here is questioning their
corruption crusaders are doing a pretty good job intelligence or their intent. All I’m saying is that
at that. Hence I’ll leave that to them.) the real connect to the audience seems to be
missing in such cases.
What else! Could public speaking be ever
attributed to our Politicians? Could we learn Be a King like Martin Luther (A real King!) who
something from them at all? let go of his script and delivered a captivating
historical speech under the theme: ‘I have a
I want you to think about our very own Lalu
dream’. The history’s one of the greatest ever
Prasad Yadav. What first comes to your mind?
speeches went on to play a pivotal role in the
Definitely it must be his jokes/nutty talks. He’s
United States history.
definitely one seasoned Indian politician to
whom everyone would love to lend an ear to. We Therefore hold your heads high. Speak like a
are not talking about the intelligent connect that leader. Lead from the front and definitely throw
he had managed to achieve with the audience! away the scripts once you’re done with your
preparation. Be a Toastmaster who also learns a
However, the point made here is that only when
bit from the Netas!
you speak from your heart, rather from your
scripts, would people really listen to you. An old - TM Sam Joel
saying goes on like this: ‘the real connect could
be made only through the heart and not
through the scripts’.

Tongue Twisters – Try @ home!
 I saw Susie sitting in a shoe shine shop, where she sits she shines, and where she
shines she sits.

 I wish to wish the wish you wish to wish, but if you wish the wish the witch wishes, I
won't wish the wish you wish to wish.

 Six sick hicks nick six slick bricks with picks and sticks.



I kindly request everyone to close your eyes for 10 seconds. Try to see something. What did you see?
Mostly Nothing! A few dark circles lingering around? I'll come back to this in a little while.

My topic for the day is the title of a song by Björk - "I've seen it all". This is also one of the tracks from
the Oscar nominated movie "Dancer in the Dark". I'm going to share the beautiful lyrics with its
profound meaning conveyed in the song. Before doing that, I would like to explain the situation of this
song in the movie.

Björk plays a Czech Republic immigrant in the US: Selma, a single mother working in a factory in rural
America. Her salvation is her passion for music, specifically, the all- singing, melodramatic numbers
usually found in classic Hollywood musicals. Selma harbors a very sad secret: she is losing her eyesight
and her son Gene stands to suffer the same fate if she can't put away enough money to secure him an
operation. The rest of the movie showcases how Selma handles the awfully complicated situations she
faces. There are a few tragic scenes in the movie which I would like to leave it you if you decide to watch
it. And I personally would suggest you all to watch it.

Now consider this situation: Selma is on the verge of losing her vision. Probably it would last for a few
hours from now. As usual when under any extremely miserable situation, she starts to sing a song: "I've
seen it all" to express her deep meaning of life and how she perceives the depressing situation. The song
is framed in a question and answer manner between Selma and her friend.

She says:
I've seen it all; I have seen the trees,
I've seen the willow leaves dancing in the breeze
I've seen a man killed by his best friend,
And lives that were over before they were spent.
I've seen what I was - I know what I'll be
I've seen it all - there is no more to see!
Here she is referring to her husband's death from the hands of his best friend. She expresses her pain for
her son whose life might end even before it starts as he also might lose his vision sooner or later. Her
friend with utmost sympathy feels so bad for her and tries to understand her by asking her a few
questions. This is where you need to pay close attention.



You haven't seen elephants, kings or Peru. I'm happy to say I had better to do
What about China? Have you seen the Great Wall? All walls are great, if the roof doesn't
fall!
And the man you will marry?
The home you will share? To be honest, I really don't care...
You've never been to Niagara Falls? I have seen water, its water, that's
all...
The Eiffel Tower, the Empire State? My pulse was as high on my very first
date!
Your grandson's hand as he plays with your hair? To be honest, I really don't care...

I find hard to put myself in Selma’s shoes. She simply amazes me with her positive attitude at life. To
summarize her feelings, she says

I've seen it all, I've seen the dark
I've seen the brightness in one little spark.
I've seen what I chose and I've seen what I need,
And that is enough; to want more would be greed.
I've seen what I was and I know what I'll be
I've seen it all - there is no more to see!
Now having understood her friend's attitude, her friend's sympathy turns to empathy to envy her
optimism. Then they both sing together to not let the situation drive their life.

You've seen it all and all you have seen
You can always review on your own little screen
The light and the dark, the big and the small
Just keep in mind - you need no more at all
You've seen what you were and know what you'll be
You've seen it all - there is no more to see!
Moral of the story: It's only a problem...if we let it be.

Before I conclude, I would like to repeat the exercise. But now we know the profound value of our
eyesight though we might not lose it like the way Selma did. But if you close your eyes for a few seconds
now, I bet you would see a lot more than what did earlier.

Go ahead. Try.



But in a dramatic turn of events, Anita is
kidnapped and VJ finds that her captor expects
him to trace and rescue her.

What follows is an action-packed narrative
involving deep analysis and assessments of
events as VJ hunts for clues which could lead
him to Anita. Thus begins the riveting battle of
wits between the pursuer and his target.

As a debutant VJ Eshwar has entered the world
of ‘Thrillers’ with a book which stands up as an
evident proof of his analytical expertise. The
characters of the protagonist VJ and the
mysterious captor, after the identity is revealed,
are the ones which are to stay etched in the
minds of the readers. Though the language is a
little flat with its common usages, the storyline
emerges a winner as an easy-read thriller. The
enthralling plot is a good attempt and VJ Eshwar

‘Analytical Thriller’ as a genre has been
is an author to look out for in the future with a
bit more of compactness brought into his work.
explored to a good extent by VJ Eshwar in this
debut novel of his. Havoc says Hi has an
intellectual storyline with the dramatic twists Reviewed by:
and turns of a gripping thriller.
Kalpita Rani Sharma
Havoc says Hi is a story about an IT employee VJ (kalpitarani.sharma@tcs.com)
with a not-so-usual past. He falls for his
If you wish to purchase this book, please get it
colleague Anita during their initial training
from:
session days at the company. With VJ placed at
Chennai and Anita posted at Mumbai, he http://www.nammabooks.com/Havoc-says-hi
considers revealing his feelings for her.



1. Since how long has Toastmasters been one of 5. Where do you see our club heading? Any advice
your interests? on what the club members should focus on to
succeed as toastmasters?
It’s been 4+ years since Toastmasters club was
formed at my company. You are in the right direction. The team is very
motivated to learning and all feedback is taken
I did not know the importance of what it could be
positively.
in my life till I attended one of its meeting a year
and a half back. Since then there is no turning Keep moving in the same track and you will do
around. wonders and make me proud.

I am glad I am part of this movement called 6. What are your interests apart from
Toastmasters. Toastmasters?

2. How has the Toastmasters journey been till I love reading books and spending time with my
now? Can you share any incident or event at son.
Toastmasters that was particularly memorable?
7. Where do you see yourself in TM community
The journey has been pleasant so far with so down the line?
much of learning of course with its own
I really don’t know; I am just going where the tide
hiccups.
is taking me as long as I am learning something
The first time I won the best speaker award is new I don’t mind the swim.
still my best moment at Toastmasters.
8. What advice would you like to give a new
3. What inspired you to join Toastmasters? toastmaster?

My ego! I thought I was the best. Slow and steady wins the race.

4. Our club members have been awe-struck 9. Which role is your favorite in a TM meeting?
whenever they have heard you speak on the Why?
stage. What do you recommend to someone who
Being the Table Topic master, I feel a good TT
wants to develop their table topics thinking
session always changes the entire mood of the
ability?
meeting.
Always prepare for an impromptu speech ;-)



TCS Maitree Champions Toastmasters conducted a photography contest for a
period of two weeks and received an overwhelming response. Our judges faced real
tough time in selecting the top 3 places. The photos received were extremely
professional and below are the final three!! Kudos to everyone, who actively
participated and made this event a huge success! Thanks you once again!

Congratulations to the Winners:

1st Place: Karthikeyan Rajaram

2nd Place: Karthik G

3rd Place: Vibin Andrews

Karthikeyan Rajaram



Karthik G

Vibin Andrews



I know that, in near future I might have to take up many challenging roles and
responsibilities in my professional career. So, I wanted to focus on my public
speaking and leadership skills. Toastmasters International, being one of the largest
organized systems of personal development in the world, provides the right
platform.

Since I do not get many opportunities to indulge in public speaking activities at
work, aside from the occasional team meeting, I see the weekly toastmasters
meetings as a considerable investment to hone my skills. Also Toastmasters is a
great place to make friends and meet new people.
-TM Vishal Mohan

I happened to watch a YouTube Video that demonstrates a Toastmaster session. I
still remember the video; it was hosted by a lady named "Shaiya". The simplistic way
she explained things, her vocal clarity and her usage of vocabulary, inspired me to
join this club.

I hope I’ll be able to learn from Toastmasters and inspire someone in the future to
join this club!
-TM Lingeshwaran

I wanted to develop my public speaking skills and I approached one of the veteran
Toastmasters, who guided me to the platform that is “TCS Maitree Champions
Toastmasters Club”. The very idea of providing such a learning platform inspired me
to join Toastmasters.
-TM Sankar Narayanan



We are active in TCS Knome portal and you can find us at
https://knome.ultimatix.net/communities/730-tcs-maitree-champions-toastmaster-club-chennai-one



TCS Maitree Champions Toastmasters conducted an article writing contest for a
period of two weeks and received an overwhelming response. There were artciles
from fiction to real-life stories to poetries. The articles received were extremely
professional and below are the top three!! Kudos to everyone, who actively
participated and made this event a huge success! Thanks you once again!

Congratulations to the Winners:

1st Place: Padman Venkat (I am Life)

2nd Place: Pavithra (A Light was on in the room)

3rd Place: Giridhar Murthy S (Indian Proposal)

You would have never come across someone like me or maybe you would have but definitely I know I
am different. I have been in this world for the past 10 years. I am Life. Yes, the constant. I get in to the
bodies and give them life. I get out of them and the bodies are thrown or whatever happens to the bodies
I don’t know. I have seen this happen every year or year and half.

The bodies, to which I give life talk to each other, sing and sometimes go silent too. Since morning, People
around me are restless. They are looking for something in their life. They talk to bodies thinking they are
talking to it. But actually it is to me that they talk.

Do you like poems? Shall I tell one? Yes, I browsed and learnt it recently. “Music in my heart I bore, long
back it was heard no more”. These are from Solitary reaper. How good was that poem?

I do have favorite song for myself time and again. There are several songs that I like. Earlier it started
with “Vande mataram” by AR Rahman. That song was quite different. Not the whole song, just the word
“Vande mataram”. Then there were few film songs both Hindi and Tamil. I don’t sing the entire song. I
sing only the first four lines or so. That was enough for me to live life for the day.

Shall I sing a hindi song? I liked it recently.

“Hey Saala! Kabhi kabhi hua yakeen ki aag hai mujhme kahin” How nice?



It is quite inspiring isn’t it? Yes this one is from Rang de Basanti again music by A R Rahman. The body
in which I reside sings this often. It is quite disturbing for people around when they are in a meeting or
when they are in office. So, often people stare when he sings and so he goes silent.

OK shall I tell another poem? This time in Tamil ok? Yes I can read two languages because I have been in
TamilNadu for some time now. I recollect this poem often because it portrays my state of mind exactly
at all times.

“nalladhoar veenai seydhae – adhai nalangedap puzhudhiyil erivadhundO?

solladi sivasakthi – enai chudarmigum arivudan padaiththuvittaai?”

These lines are from the poem written by Mahakavi Subramanya Bharathi. If you want me to translate it
to English this is what it says. “You have created a good Veena and put to dust. Tell me Goddess Siva
Sakthi, why you created me with such great knowledge?”

How true? I am a life and I can sing, read, hear, talk and have all knowledge from different places and I
am a life giver to bodies. With such a creation like me, I am not put to great use by the bodies. What a
waste? I wanted to ask “Tell me Siva Sakthi!”

Hey my favorite song recently has changed now to this one. It is a Tamil song. You know after a long
time Ilayaraja has composed this song in “Neethaanae enthan ponvasantham”.

It too seems to be like a poem but not as powerful as the one Bharathi has written. Looks to me like the
body in which I am residing is going to wear out soon. It is time for me to go out of him.

Ok. Let me wait for the next body to give life.

Till then…

“Kaatrai Konjam Nirka Sonnaen (I told wind to stop,

Poo PariththuKoarka Sonnaen asked it to make a garland of flowers,

Oadi Vanthu Unnai Santhikka to meet you

Methai Ondru Thaikka Sonnaen asked it to stitch a bed

Maegam Alli Vaikka Sonnaen told it to get the clouds

Kannai Moodi Unnai Sinthikka” so to close my eyes and think of you)

I am closing my eyes to think of the next bodies. It might be a Samsung or Apple who knows?



A light was on in the room..
The light seemed greenish may be and slightly silverish..

I wished to touch the light..

My thin fingers started to travel along the way of the magical ‘Light’..

And I did touch that..

Oops! My hand..

Where is my hand..

I am wondering searching them under the light.

It had Disappeared.. Inside the light..

Still I can feel my fingers alive..

Yes! May be I am seeing a option of becoming invisible in front of my eyes..

“What will I do when I see an option of disappearing?”

Should I Say ‘Yes’ or ‘No’..

Obviously a 'Yes'

“Daddy! Hereafter I won’t go to school.

Everyone in my class has a play station.

I am going to friend’s house to play!!

It hurts every day when I get teased.”

“Son your father is just a security guard” I console the tiny heart uttering a tiny sentence..

“Dad! Today I got my report card. And the whole class applauded me as I got the first marks for the third
consecutive time. But still my class teacher asked me to get a nice geometry kit for a neat presentation”

“Yes dear I will get it for you” I convince my daughter.



‘Should I really disappear?! ’

I have an option to get all the above, and satisfy my kids..

I could bring smiles on their faces..

Yes! I will disappear! I decided

Now!

Sensing this I set myself through the light..

I am unable to see myself..

Hereafter I am not a ordinary watchman who say ‘No’ to all my childrens wishes.

Frocks, eatables, games and above all happiness.. it’s all them!!

I walk to the nearby stationery and then to a famous shopping mall..

That evening..

I packed their gifts and placed them on the wooden table.

And waited for my kids to come.

The door opened.

My kids arrived and noticed the gifts.

Even without unpacking them, “Daddy! Daddy” both of them started to squeal as soon as they found me
missing.

I started to say,

“Son! There is your play station and the radium-watch you wished so long and Sanju

I have kept the frock, school bag and other accessories packed.”

“But daddy where are you?” both of them screamed.

“I am here for you. Whatever you need I will get you. But you can’t visualize me or Feel me.

I want to see you both smiling always”

“Daddy we don’t want all these. We want you.” Arjun screeched in his tiny voice.



“But I want to see you happy with all that you wished” i explain them

“No daddy you are our happiness. We don’t want to lose you for our smiles.

We can’t. ” Sanju screamed and cried out of her voice.

Tears were still rolling on from Arjun's soft cheeks.

I caressed his cheeks and hugged both of them..

I couldn’t do nothing..

I started crying out of my voice..

Unable to find a way to come back..!!

“Daddy!” Arjun whispered in middle of his sleep and hugged me so close as he can.

And..

A light was on in the room..

The light seemed greenish may be and slightly silverish..

I wished not to touch the light..

I can’t marry that haughty man, that weighty man,
that Meany man; No I can’t.

There is naught in him but money and greed,

No I can’t, never will I, no I shan’t.

But what of him do you want in looks? He does look good, doesn’t he now?

Don’t you see? He is the one to be; all yours to wed?

Don’t you go loving some loony goof. That poor old chap. No you can’t.

Money is where your life is made; happiness spread; your burden shed.



But love him? I don’t; never will I, never I can;

Please don’t let me marry that clod,

That rich mad man, that haughty man.

I would rather walk a thorny path, yes I will, I will unshod.

Folly does you in one day, remember this, heed my words,

Daughter yes; you are of mine, a worthy one; or so I think.

Please don’t let me bow my head, my head in shame, live a life askance.

Worry I will if you marry that loon, brooding my time, not sleeping a wink.

But what of him who loves me so, who lives for me, who stands out now?

Drenched in rain he stands waiting, as we speak, for he loves me so.

Though he be blind, and deaf as dead, he cares for me.

So let me be his, please let me go now, don’t you say no.

God bless you child! Why marry him, you stupid girl,

of all those men, O such worthy men that I brought for you?

Now I curse the day I gave you life, I curse thy wife, I curse myself.

Cursed I am on this day, when daughter you, marries a blind old cow.

Tongue Twisters – contd.!
 If Pickford's packers packed a packet of crisps would the packet of crisps that Pickford's
packers packed survive for two and a half years?

 A big black bug bit a big black dog on his big black nose!

 How much caramel can a canny cannonball cram in a camel if a canny cannonball can cram
caramel in a camel?

 Can you can a can as a canner can can a can?



Serat Fatima
“There are several things which one cannot learn without practice. Public Speaking is one among
those. The ability to communicate properly helps a lot in the professional life. And Toastmasters
Club is one place where one can improve his/her communication and leadership skills.

After my ILP got over, one of my friends asked me to attend the session at Champions
Toastmasters, Chennai One. Since then I have attended two sessions and both the times learnt
many new things. The sessions are conducted very professionally. I look forward to join the
Champions Toastmasters Club and improve my soft skills.”

Bharat Singh
“Toastmasters is a place where people learn, have fun and evaluate at the same time. It’s an
awesome platform to improve oneself and equip oneself with the good communication and
leadership skills. It’s a great learning experience overall."


(L-R) Row#1: Azhar Jafri, Shreenath, Subhash, Murali Manohar, Vishal
Row#2: Apoorva, Mathew, Vignesh, Rajesh, Pradeep
Row#3: Swaminathan, Lingesh, Ranjuni, Kalyan, Syed Azhar
(Not in the photo): A Srinivas, Aishwarya, Ak Anand, Charles, Diwakar, Karthikeyan, Kokila, Narayanamoorthy, Praveen, Rajasekaran,
Rathnavel, Sam Joel, Sankar, Selvi, Siva, Sundar, Surya, Sushant, Udhayakumar, Vijay

Got to say something? We are all ears at Toastmasters!!
Come join us!
Executive Committee
President: Kalyana Chakravarthy (kalyana.n@tcs.com)

VP Education: Murali Manohar S (muralimanohar.s@tcs.com)

VP Membership: Rajesh A Nair (rajesha.nair@tcs.com)

VP Public Relations: Azhar Jafri (syedazhar.husainjafri@tcs.com)

Secretary: Mathew Koshy (mathew.n@tcs.com)

Treasurer: Subhash Balakrishnan (subhash.balakrishnan@tcs.com)

Sergeant At Arms: Vishal Mohan (vishal3.m@tcs.com)

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