Amdavad Toastmasters Club Newsletter Dec 2021

AMDAVAD TOASTMASTERS CLUB

CHATTER

DECEMBER 2021

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH KUJAD JANI, DTM

2

Index Page

Chatter Team

Editors Address

The Awakening Moment

Members Achievements

Amdavad Toastmasters Club

4

President’s Message

6

Exclusive Interview (Kujad Jani, DTM)

8

Tips for Child Parenting Amid Covid.

5 7

Life is a journey and not a Destination

Engaging Activities

3

9 10

Club Events

12

Word Search Game

14

Club’s Achievements

16

About Chatter

11 13 15

3

Chatter Team

TM PRAGYA

T M A N UJ

VP PUBLIC RELATIONS

CONTENT CREATOR

TM DARS H IT

TM A R V I N D

T M R UT U

PROOF-READER

EDITOR

EDITOR

TM CHETAN

T M N I R A LI

DESIGNER

DESIGNER

4

President’s Message

TM HARIKRISHNA

Dear Members, No one can whistle a symphony, it takes a whole orchestra to play it – H E Luccock Toastmasters is spread over 149 + countries with more than 15,800 clubs and 300,000 members. The key behind the success of Toastmasters is its teamwork. Since inception of Amdavad Toastmasters club in 2012, we always see the epitome of teamwork which has kept us bonded for almost 9 years.

To spread this network of Toastmasters, each club whistles to communicate the idea of toastmasters. We conducted several demo meetings for guests so that they can understand the concept of Toastmasters. We collaborated with MNC – Dresser Rand to educate its employees about Toastmasters. This activity helped us in adding more than 12 members in a short span of 4 months.

Not just that, we also give equal importance to growth and satisfaction of existing members. In the term starting from July to December, the team – with support of members – has set a benchmark for upcoming leaders and has taken the legacy of predecessor’s one step ahead. We started this term with education members with several education programs like education session on TAG roles, the power of giving feedback, delivering humorous speech and many others.

To widen our perspective we need to meet more and more people. To exchange the knowledge and widen the horizon of our learning, we carried multiple joint meetings with clubs across the globe.

To satisfy the need of members, we took the baby steps to get back to offline meetings.

With utmost safety and following all necessary Covid protocols, we organized 3 Hybrid meetings. Now we feel that Hybrid is going to be a new normal. This initiative added a new perspective to transition to hybrid set up permanently.

As symphony cannot be played alone, we credit this victory to the team and the members of the club. We have always received immense support and blessings from our members because of which we stand at a juncture where we have already scored 7 / 10 DCP points.

Let’s continue with the same spirit of team work and achieve the milestone of 10 / 10 DCP points and Diamond club award.

5

Editor’s Address

T M A R VIN D

TM RUTU

EDITOR

EDITOR

Life is always at some turning point. In the last couple of months, the entire world has been collectively putting in efforts to overcome the turbulence of COVID-19 impact on lives.

This edition of Chatter is compiled during the same period while covid-19 pushes world to turning point. This edition of Chatter takes you through those unrevealed life changing stories of our members. In every life there is turning point, a moment so tremendous, so sharp and clear that one feels as if one's been hit in the chest, all the breath knocked out, and one knows, absolutely knows without the merest hint of a shadow of a doubt that one's life will never be the same. This edition of Chatter is a tribute to those each and every turning stories.

I would like to thank each team member for their indomitable efforts to provide the readers, an enriching experience.

Special thanks to Kujad Jani, DTM for taking out time and give us lots of turning point stories of his life. Interview with Kujad Jani, DTM will give you glimpse of his life.

I also want to extend my gratitude to Toastmaster Pragya, also serving as the Vice-President Public Relations, for her extraordinary efforts in making this chatter successful.

On behalf of Team Chatter, I would like to thank each member of the club, who has helped secure the RISE values, the values that each Toastmasters abides by.

-: THANK YOU FOR READING :-

6

Exclusive Interview (Kujad Jani, DTM)

daughter. I should have done this 15 years back instead of that. It's now that I'm doing it late. So, you feel a little shy. Oh my God, it's so late at this age. But then, there are people at age of 85 doing their graduation. Better late than never. If I have to sum up in one sentence, it's really a fulfilling journey.

Congratulations on earning the highest educational award, Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM).

How do you feel about it?

It is a mixed feeling. Of course, once you get some title, being a human being. I do feel elated.

Because there are a lot of people, friends, well-wishers. Who is really forcing me? Why don't you finish your DTM? And the last 20 years I said, what difference does it make whether I am a DTM or a TM? But still. You feel that you get some sort of recognition.

Some sort of degree. At least on paper. The feeling is really of elation.

The flip side is that. When it's like getting your graduation, or postgraduation along with your son or

You had opened up the first club in Ahmedabad. So, how did that thought came to your mind and what difficulties you faced during that time?

The day I joined Toastmasters, I didn't know that I was joining Toastmasters. Because I was just invited by my boss. He just took me and ask, will you be able to speak for four to six minutes on yourself? I said yeah, why not?

I was in the US, then I visited India in 2006, and I had in mind that there must be a club. I felt very strongly that we must have, but there was no club in Gujarat. So, in AMA, I gave an introduction about the Toastmasters and said we must open a club. I felt very strongly about Toastmasters, and we needed that. We needed communication skills very much, especially for non-English speaking people, youngsters.

It was like you know each drop being put, and a pound being field, I mean a journey of 1000, right starting with a first step.

Sometimes it was frustrating, gathering people. We have conducted meetings with four people, three people. But we must meet, that was our motto.

So that is how after joining forces with DTM Biswajit and all, we really caught up momentum. And then we got 20 solid members and formed the club, in 2012 we commissioned the club officially.

In your opinion, why should someone join Toastmasters?

Toastmasters is like that. Where you can network, open up. Once you have to speak, then you forget the worries of life, and you concentrate on reading, writing, practising speech, so you get a direction in life by Toastmasters.

People always know you from your work and your contribution Once, they come to a meeting as a to the ATM club, but we would guest. They realize why they love to know you as a person. should join the Toastmasters. In the Navy, I had exposure as a Defence, Public What do they actually need that is Ministry of missing in their skill set? That is Relations Officer for the Western what they realize. It is a sort of region, India. I really loved reading, speaking, therapy that they realize with, writing, and for me, it has been therapy. teaching. Then I did 12+ years in You start filling the advantage the US as a software engineer. I hated Computers, actually. But it and the good effects of vitamins. was a big turning point for me.

That's when I got introduced to the Toastmasters also. I got an activity of my liking. A fascinating journey with many turning points.

From Navy to Engineer, from India to the US, from TM to DTM, he never stopped. He has made his mark, an inspiration to each and every one.

Thank you, Distinguished Toastmaster Kujad Jani.

7 Life is a journey and not a Destination

TM M E GH AN A

We often blame situations and find difficulty to cope up with uncertainties . It's human nature but I learnt a few lessons while reading “Pandeymonium” book by Piyush Pandey.

Lesson number 1 Trust the process Sometimes we become too hasty and do not look at things that should be. Rather than thinking too much there is nothing wrong with moving with flow and doing your karma.

Because at the end god has a plan for everyone that will happen at the right time.

Lesson 2 Importance of People No school or college can teach you which you can learn from people. People and culture will always have a long lasting impact on you. Try to engage with people and learn from them.

Lesson 3 Respect Difference of Opinion two people will have a difference of opinion but rather than proving one right and other wrong. Try to understand both opinions and then decide. sometimes we may not look at the perspective it should be.

And yes at the end there is a beautiful quote in the book “Life is a journey and not a destination”. Follow your heart, cry when you feel so but never forget to connect with your family and friends because they are part of your journey. One day this journey will reach a destination till then keep walking, walking and walking.

8 Tips for Child Parenting Amid Covid.

TM RAN J AN A

Life has been upheld for a year or two for everyone. No one is able to guess how it happened and why it happened, still guessing work is going on. Corona virus is a name imprinted in people’s mind not only elders but young children are aware of these dreadful issues. People are aware of its impact and suffering from it. Young children are the worst affected by this situation. They are coping very bravely but still their endurance power is filtering.

Parents have challenging times to handle young ones in this period. Lockdown, no school, online classes, no friends, no energetic activities. All these had adverse effects on their thinking power.

In order to have positive surrounding around their children. Parents have to follow certain routine for their family. They have to create friendly environment, involve the children in day to day work at home.

Following are some tips for parents to help their family in this uncertain time: Make a schedule for a week.

1. Involvement of children in household work in a creative way.

2. Encourage them to appreciate nature.

3. Spent quality time with children.

4. No stress related talk.

5. Induce good manners.

9 The Awakening Moment

TM A M IT

It was one of the prickling hot and sticky days of June in the year 2020 in Ahmedabad. I was trying to control the temperature of the room but the Air conditioner was failing miserably in front of the dazzling Sun God. I was working from my home because of the pandemic caused by the Covid 19.

After working for almost 1 hour, I felt drenched with sweat and agony. Working from home was very tedious and cumbersome for me. Things which could have been solved easily in the office were taking long hours. Internet connectivity and its bandwidth were also adding salt to my wound.

I switched on the television to take a break from the sixteen inches screen's woes. News of increasing patients started flashing on one channel. I switched over to the other news channel. The reporter was covering from one hospital.

With a deep and choking voice, he was narrating the pathetic situation of the hospital. How the patients were dying because of the lack of basic medical facilities. Relatives of the deceased were sobbing incessantly and were cursing the hospital for the deaths. It was very scary to watch. I immediately changed the channel. Now the reporter was covering the loud and deafening silence that was spread across the streets.

I switched off the television and took a deep sigh of relief and again sat back in front of the 16 inches monitor to face the virtual life. I drank one glass of cold water in one go to start the job on a positive note. However, the vivid image of patients, deaths, and empty streets started flashing on my mental screen. How that person was sobbing for the loss of his close ones... How life unfolds dramatically. Why is it like that only? These were the few questions that started reverberating in my mind.

I controlled my feelings and nudged myself not to be swayed away by these rollercoaster emotions. I thought why not listen to one song before starting work.

I opened the Youtube app and started searching for some good songs. As I was searching the songs, I saw one video link of Vivek Bindra's Bhagwat Gita class with over 1 million views. I was intrigued by these humongous views on subjects like spirituality.

I, with full focus and unwavering attention, watched that 1 hour of video about the importance of this holy scripture in our daily life. I was highly captivated and motivated by that 1 hour of nuggets of wisdom.

Vivek Bindra's words were echoing around my ear even after finishing that video. I immediately ordered the book " Bhagwat Gita" to deep dive into the ocean of wisdom related to life. I further associated with the ISKON to know more about life, its intricacies, and the real and easy way to move ahead in life. I have visited Vrindavan with the ISCON team to understand better about life within life. My expedition, which started just through watching one video, is continuing with more zeal, more excitement, and more hunger.

If I have to sum up this experience then I will say if we see the world through the windows of our hearts but not just with the eyes then there will be many turning points for our lives. All we need to do is give some time and ponder over and embrace those micro-events. We never know every stone on our odyssey can become a stepping stone for our enlightenment.

10 Club Events IMPRESSION 2021 H UMO R O U S S P EE CH CO N T E S T W I N N E R S

EV A L U AT IO N S P E E CH CO N T E S T W I N N E RS

ONLINE-OFFLINE MEETINGS

MEETUPS

11Engaging Activities ROLL A STORY KRUPALI TRIVEDI The exuberant whispers of darkness called out as I walked through the doors, 3:21 showed my watch. The air seemed still, not even a whoosh of creaks could be heard. Only flickering light on the street seemed to call me out, but they never knew me before, nobody ever looked at me. The staggering thoughts of inhumanity whirled through my spine. They cut us through the roots to make their lands bloom, I was the last one alive to see the humanity trailblazing into destruction. So, I'm calling out, save me before we see nobody anymore.

ISHITA VASISHTHA Ever wonder about the happenings of life? Actually no, right? We all are not philosophically hitched with heart and mind all the time. But let me share my anecdote! The anecdote in which I have my own troubles though have an exuberant end!

In spite of living in 21st century, the world of empowered and strong women which is also an era of Live! Laugh! Love! ; There are still series of hassles for some women. I applied for a job a couple of days back. But because of some undeniable orthodox mentality I decided that I will not go and they will eventually cancel my name. on the contrary what happened was staggering! They called me again as they loved my notions and trailblazing quotes I wrote in my blogs. And finally, I decided to stand for me. So I convinced family and now I work along with studies.

AMARPAL SINGH Hello Everyone I would like to share my real-life incident which happened during my post-graduation. In my 2nd Year of Postgraduation, we were told to bring a trailblazing way to make our society aware of highly spreading diseases and disorders. So, we were assigned a team to do this work and we all organized and exuberantly started our task to select a disease to carry forward our task, I was appointed leader of the team so it was my responsibility to divide our task as per every team member’s interest and capabilities. Finally, we selected a disease which was very dangerous medical condition that affects the body, mind & behavior that is affected by feelings of sadness, despair & pessimism, exuberantly this disease is totally ignored in our society and that disease or medical condition is Depression.

Later we prepared a documentary on awareness with easy self-curable solutions for this condition and we awarded by Best Documentary for Awareness of Diseases and Disorders.

AMIT NANDAN I vividly remember three days ago i was standing in front of a saree centre in Motera.I was waiting outside for my wife as the centre was overcrowded with ladies. It was a hot sunny day and my black t-shirt was already drenched in sweat. In order to quench the thirst i took one green tender coconut water from a nearby fruit vendor . I was feeling exuberant with every sip of coconut water. One barefoot beggar in torn clothes came near me and said that he is starving and need some money .I offered him the coconut water but he refuted and pleaded that he will take only money. I got staggered by his bizzare demand but still gave him Rs. 50 .In the next one hour he kept on begging money from the other people by putting the same emotional piece of thought .."I am starving".Many like me were also giving to this so called starving man. This so called starving man sarcastically winked at other beggars after receiving money from each donor. I strongly believe that we need to be a trailblazer in helping the needy ones but at times the fake demands shake one's compassion and urge to help others.I have vouched to give preference to Sharing food , water, Clothes , Love , compassion over Money.

APPRECIATION BOARD

CONSOLIDATED LEARNING

A BOOK A MONTH

12 Word Search Game LEADERSHIP SPEAKINNG CONFIDENCE ACHIEVEMENTS DEVELOPMENT LISTENING PRACTICE MENTORS GROWTH LEARNING EVALUATION NETWORKING SUPPORT TOASTMASTERS

13 Members Achievements Dynamic leadership

TM PARVA SHAH

Level 2&3

Motivational Strategies

TM BILVA DESAI

Level 5

Presentation Mastery

TM SANKET K ANAB AR

Level 2

Motivational Strategies

Level 4

TM AM I T NANDAN

14 Club’s Achievements

15 Amdavad Toastmasters Club ABOUT THE CLUB Amdavad Toastmasters Club is a non-profit community club in Ahmedabad, that was founded 8 years ago by Kujad Kumar Jani, Biswajit Adhikari, Varsha, Rashmi, Sambit, Bibhu, Ravi and few others. It is the first Toastmasters International Club in Ahmedabad and the first community Toastmasters International Club in Gujarat.

It helps its members to hone their communication and leadership skills. The club environment is open, inviting and free from any form of judgement. The mission of a Toastmasters Club is to provide a mutually supportive and positive learning environment in which every individual member has the opportunity to develop oral communication and leadership skills, which in turn foster self-confidence and personal growth.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

TM DHIREN

TM HA R I K R ISH N A

TM MEGH AN A

TM AMI T

IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT

PRESIDENT

VP EDUCATION

VP MEMBERSHIP

TM PRAG YA

TM G EETA

TM SAN KET

TM PARVA

VP PUBLIC RELATION

SECRETARY

TREASURER

SERGEANT AT ARMS

16 About Chatter Chatter, Amdavad Toastmasters Club’s bi-annual newsletter was started in 2013.

Being the mouthpiece of the club, Chatter has witnessed some amazing work by the members across different professions, age groups and ideologies. The newsletter is a prominent platform for the members to share their skills, talents, avocations and much more.

Every six months, a new magazine team with fresh faces comes together with a theme that signifies the progress of the club through thick and thin. This time, the theme is called ‘Unstoppable’ to showcase the resilience of the people in the club in these trying times.