Communicate98 October 2015 Edition

THE District 98 Newsletter

COMMUNICATE

|

COLLABORATE

|

CELEBRATE

OCTOBER 2015

LEADERS AND

LEADERSHIP Celebrating the leaders who inspire us

Confluence 2015 Semi-Annual Conference District 98

Fall Season Holidays, Travel Stories, Shopping and Fun

1

Revitalized Education Program 1

and lot more

COMMUNICATE 98 | OCTOBER 2015

From The Editor’s Desk “ Toastmasters is a place where leaders are made. How do you make leaders?”

The April 2013 issue of ‘TOASTMASTER’ carries an article by Gary Burnison called ‘The softer side of Leadership’. Toastmasters is a place where leaders are made. How do you make leaders? Do you fashion them out of clay in your mould? Do you use hammer and chisel and chip away the imperfections? Or do

Beena Mandrekar Newsletter Editor, District 98

you just pick a person and holler him into obedience?

None of the above.

As a competent leader you notice the potential in a person. You pick him out and guide him. You may not tell him what to do but point him in the right direction. You take charge only to help him execute.

As a leader your ear is always to the ground, hearing what

others

cannot.

Where

commitment

is

concerned for you, all hands are in and if you lead by example others will automatically follow.

Leadership is meant to further the organization and not the self so that when you give over leadership

This issue also contains glimpses of the Hyderabad confluence and what goes on behind the scenes of a great event.

Are you planning a holiday this November? We have some interesting travel articles that will help you on your way.

And then of course our usual corner of Learnings from Toastmasters and the various moments of fun and learning we received this month. The mantra for this month is:

you have handed over a stronger organization to the next person. When you are the leader, all eyes

“ Empower your team and you

are on you. So the merest hint of a frown gets

Empower yourself ”

magnified in the organization’s barometer and people wonder whether they should worry. As a good leader if you motivate and encourage your people they will go the extra mile for you.

www.d98tm.in

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CONTENTS

COMMUNICATE 98 | OCTOBER 2015

Features

17 COVER

Where Leaders Are Made ASHA PRATYASA

President, Deloitte Hyderabad Toastmasters

Articles

6 VETERANS TALKS

Dare To Do

27

BRILLIAN S K

DISTRICT 98 CORE

District Director International

KNOW YOUR LEADERS

30

Toastmasters

11

TEAM

COMMUNICATE98

The Fiber of a Leader

21 Forรงa Goa

CHANDRASHEKAR DP Program Quality International

Director,

Toastmasters

COLIN SAVIO COELHO Margao Toastmasters Club, Goa

7 Learning To Lead PRATHIMA MADIREDDY

Prathima Madireddy, Area Director F5

8

Strategy Map for District Recognition Program MOHAN KARAMBELKAR

DCP Manager www.d98tm.in

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CONTENTS

COMMUNICATE 98 | OCTOBER 2015

24

CHIEF AMBASSADOR

Revitalized Education Program VENKATA RAMANA DITTAKAVI

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22

Indore—The City of Four TMCs and Tourist Destination

JOINT MEETING

Bombay TM and Mumbai TM Joint Meeting RANJANA SHETTY

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PANKAJ KOTHARI

Wanderlust

Mumbai Toastmasters Club

KARAN GUPTA Deloitte Hyderabad Toastmasters Club

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District Parliamentarian

18 Confluence 2015 BEHIND THE SCENE

A Rendezvous With Me SHUBHADA PATHAK

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VP-Education, TCS BE@T Gandhinagar

District PR Officer SRINIDHI DASAKA

3 ways to be connected with your

District 98 on the GO !

Follow us on

@d98tm Facebook ‘district98’ Website d98tm.in Twitter

For more information please visit www.d98tm.in/site/communicate.html www.d98tm.in

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CONTENTS

COMMUNICATE 98 | OCTOBER 2015

TABLOID A DIGITAL FLYER TO CONNECT YOU ALL Know what’s going on in other Divisions/Areas/Clubs 

Mail us your Division/Area/club achievements to make your clubs presence in TABLOID  Let us know how unique is your club  Happenings @ your Division/Area/Club  Acknowledge your club members while they complete CC,CL

For more information please visit www.d98tm.in/site/tabloid.html

connect@d98tm.in

12 Leadership SHIREESH NADKAR

Toastmasters Club of Pune

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23

You May Travel Solo But Never Alone

A Memorable Area Contest

ASMEETA JACOB

Toastmasters Club Pune North East

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Lead a Team

Division Winners Division C,D,E,F

SAGAR AGARWAL President Toastmasters Club of Pune-Camp

www.d98tm.in

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COMMUNICATE 98 | OCTOBER 2015

Dare To Do

“ The person who goes farthest is generally the one who is willing to do and dare.” – Dale Carnegie

Toastmasters is the only place where you can get rid

Dear Friends,

of your fears and emerge victorious.

“Haar kar jeetnewaloon ko Baazigar kehte hai” Many have not fully leveraged the potential of Powerful, truthful yet so filmy! And if this was not

Toastmasters program.

filmy enough, the clean sweep by a political party at a regional election sometime back hammers it hard. In what could be considered as the epic rise after an uneventful start, this party overcame all tribulations, shame, and criticism to achieve success. Collectively they focused on a “Goal” and

I invite you to explore this wonderful platform to experiment, go beyond the obvious, do crazy stuff that you are uncomfortable with.

This beautiful platform will be your friend for life only if you want it to be. Sometimes we

history was created!

win, sometimes we miss, let small setbacks We tend to view failure as “end of the road”, but

not deter you from climbing mountains.

failures are extremely interesting opportunities to learn. Setbacks are difficult and sometimes overwhelming. History is replete with examples of how people have bounced back to recreate history.

Overcoming all odds Mohammed Qahtani became

Starting with the leader, each and every one must

the World Champion of Public Speaking 2015. If you

align to the goals and work towards the collective

have the will, the intent and the focus, forget the fail-

and common goal.

ures, march into the future and emerge victorious.

Each one of us must focus our energies to be posi-

And I dare you to do what you always wanted to…

tive. Legends like Thomas Edison, Henry Ford and Abraham Lincoln are all testimony to this fact. www.d98tm.in

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COMMUNICATE 98 | OCTOBER 2015

Learning to Lead As a new member in 2013, I watched leaders in

This year I went a step further. I nominated myself

Toastmasters being acknowledged and called on

for the post of Area Director! I am now four months

to the dais to speak, give away trophies and I

into the role, and I know there is a lot to learn.

thought, “That must be a swell place to be!” At

Keeping track of six clubs,

that point I never even consid-

investing time and energy

ered looking at the leadership

in every member of every

track. I was oblivious to the

club and grappling with

Competent Leadership Manual,

reports, contests and DCP,

till my club President TM Salil

is a job in itself. (I deliber-

Ganeriwal, called and asked me

ately did not write about

to become the Secretary of the

MOT,

club for that year. I screamed

education sessions, confer-

blue murder. I could not be in

ences,

the executive committee as I

Helping people keep their

had no clue what leading peo-

commitments, so you keep

ple was all about. After hearing

yours is a big learning for

words like support, nurturing environment, exper-

joint

OTP

meetings,

and

JTP!).

me.

iment, encouraging and most importantly learning, I decided to “give it a shot”. Surprisingly, I enjoyed my contribution to the Hyderabad Toastmasters Club as a Secretary. I was mentored by the then VP Education, TM Rajeev Shroff. I learnt how to keep commitments, meet time lines, follow up with the EC on their action points

I have no measure to know whether as a leader, I am doing well or not. In an environment of self-learning, many times, I felt I was not doing well.

I thought I was leading, but no one was following.

I was looking for instant results in peoples’ responses to me. For a very

and I knew that I was transforming.

When the next TM year came around I was confi-

long time nothing happened.

dent enough to give my name up for VP Education. Of course I got elected! In the meantime, I took every possible leadership role that came my way. There was the Event Chair for EDMET -2014, Conference Chair - Orafest 2014, Contest Chair- Resonance 2014. Of course I had these

wonderful

Division

Directors

DTM

I learnt to be patient. I realised that just like I took enough time to come out of my shell, others will take their time too. I have to be patient. I believe that like all other aspects of Toastmasters, leadership too lies in the action! In Toastmasters, being a leader is “a swell place to be”!

Chandrasekhar DP, DTM Alfred Tauro and TM Rajneesh who gave me the opportunity to lead.

www.d98tm.in

Prathima Madireddy Area Director F5

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Strategy Map for District Recognition Program

COMMUNICATE 98 | OCTOBER 2015

Leaders can have a dream. To convert the dream into reality ...

Mohan Karambelkar, DCP Manager

….a leader needs strategy. Strategic thinking, strate-

This can be applicable to non-profit organization.

gy development and strategy implementation are

Distinguished program is at different levels – club,

important tools. Though strategic management is

area, division and district. Figure 1 shows the strate-

not a part of Competent Leadership manual, facilita-

gy map for integrated distinguished program Learn-

tion, team building, planning and implementation are

ing and Development Parameters

some of the leadership ingredients required for stra-

The learning and development opportunities for

tegic management. Strategic management can be

Toastmasters are District Officers’ Training Program

learned from Toastmasters’ District Recognition

(DOTP), Club Officers’ Training Program (COTP),

Program.

Area Director’s visit,

District

moments

Recognition

and mentoring pro-

Program

gram.

includes

DOTP is for District

distin-

Officers. It goes be-

guished club

yond training to build

program,

a team for district

distin-

leadership and plan

guished area gram and use a

of

truth

program, distinguished division pro-

for the year ahead. The former and current officers

distinguished district program. We can

can exchange stories, bring fresh ideas and pass the

balanced scorecard for these programs.

baton to new officers.

Robert Kaplan and David Norton developed the per-

COTP provides club officers a deeper understanding

formance management tool - Balanced Score Card

of their roles and responsibilities. When 4 or more

(BSC). furthermore BSC is also used for strategic

club officers attend COTP in July/Aug and also in

management to draw strategy maps.

Jan/Feb, the club earns one DCP Point.

It links 4

parameters - Learning & development, Operational processes, Customer and financial indicators. www.d98tm.in

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COMMUNICATE 98 | OCTOBER 2015

Area Director’s visit also contributes to the learn-

We wish to reach maximum number of people so

ing for the clubs. It reinforces points from Mo-

that they can get the benefit of toastmasters. Clubs

ments of Truth.

and members can help in demo meetings for new and upcoming clubs.

Operational Parameters Operational parameters for toastmasters are meetings conducted and educational awards earned. Six of the ten goals of Distinguished Club Program are from educational awards. This integrates the individual member’s achievement into

For expanding Toastmasters, we need to think about ‘Blue Ocean Strategy’. We need to reach out people and organizations that are not aware of Toastmasters and attract them to Toastmasters.

Financial Parameters

club’s DCP. The financial parameter of Toastmasters is memThe areas, divisions and district distinguished pro-

bership fees collected – membership renewal and

gram count on number of clubs with distinguished

new members/clubs added. Money is an important

status.

resource for non-profit organizations! Improved

Thus effective educational program and members educational achievements ultimately brings successful distinguished program at each level – Club, Area, Division and District.

finances can help to organize more events and conferences. This is monitored as a part of Distinguished District Program.

Distinguished Club / Area/ Division/ District programs are not a number crunching exercise. It is an

Customer parameters

opportunity to learn strategic management. From members of toastmasters club to district officers, The customer parameters for Toastmasters are net growth in membership and net growth in

everyone can be involved and can contribute to District Recognition Program. At the beginning of the year, members, club leaders and district leaders

clubs in the district.

can form a strategy for achieving ‘Distinguished’ At club level, 2 DCP points can be achieved when

status; execute the strategy and monitor; and

at least 8 new members are added in a year. In

achieve the desired status. Balanced scorecard

addition there are 3 awards for adding 5 or more

shows the link between various DCP points and

members - Smedley award (August 1 to Septem-

gives a balanced focus.

ber 30), 'Talk Up Toastmasters' award (February 1 to March 31) and 'Beat the clock' award (May 1 to June 30).

“Without strategy, execution is aimless.

Without execution, strategy is useless”

It is not just increasing members in existing clubs; we need to add more clubs in the district.

www.d98tm.in

-Morris Chang, CEO, TSMC

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You May Travel Solo But Never Alone Heritage monuments, palaces, temples and wildlife reserves are found almost everywhere in India. In fact our country is a veritable treasure hunt when it comes

COMMUNICATE 98 | OCTOBER 2015

you at your pace and choice. It’s always better than ringing up call centers she says. Her one piece of advice is travel with family and people you know rather than be one of many in a conducted tour.

‘Be a traveler rather than a tourist’.

to traveling. How can we make

There is always the option of purchasing

optimum use of the facilities availa-

the membership of Travel Clubs, but that

ble, try to get back the ‘B’ in budget

is best avoided, she says. The irony is that

and yet have a memorable holiday…?

you spend so much on air fare to travel to

I caught up with Asmeeta

far off places and when you book your

Jacob of Toastmasters Club Pune

slot the property is never available on the

North East. She works with Travel

LLP) and had several interesting

day you want it. So choose wisely and

Asmeeta Jacob

Smart (a unit of Pride Concierge

Toastmasters Club Pune North East

experiences to tell me. Many tourists love to take customized tours and this particular request comes

check out all the nearby places. Experience the local flavor, savor their food and enjoy their hospitality.

Her best experience she says was when she

from people who are on a time constraint or want to look at specific tourist spots. The best time to travel she says is from April to June and August to December. In the current period specially, children have holidays and the weather is so good that places like Kerala Rajasthan Goa Darjeeling and Sikkim are

Customized tours also include all women tours and currently she has organized one to Lakshadweep. This island though has to be booked months in advance as there are fixed schedules and air fares to be considered. For this season all tours are booked till Decem-

who wish to travel with just a map you can always take the advice of a travel consultant. He can map out the entire trip for

the trip with a small group and after taking care of the air tickets well in advance, she realized that the election dates and the vote counting were announced in the same period as their trip. They were not sure what to make of it and were rather

chart busters.

ber. For the more adventurous folks

went to Kashmir the previous year. She had planned

nervous to land up in the midst of a political upheaval.

But go they did and looking back on the episode she feels it was one of the best experiences. The Kashmiris were very hospitable and their driver took them to his home and served a home cooked meal to them. As a parting shot she would like to add that whenever you feel the urge to travel pack your bags and take off. Arrangements can be made in a jiffy. All you need is the will!

www.d98tm.in

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COMMUNICATE 98 | OCTOBER 2015

The Fiber of a Leader Of the 10 top qualities that make a good leader (listed by Forbes) if we pick just three…

Communication, Confidence , Commitment We can easily stitch them together and ask DTM Chandrashekar to wear them. They will fit like a glove.

He can clearly and succinctly describe what is to be done. He relates his vision to his team and they work towards the same goal. His messages are clear and to the point. When asked to speak in any forum he takes up a key message clearly defines the steps to be taken to achieve it and even give us his own examples of how he learnt it all. That is his level of communication.

‘Leadership cannot be defined in one line or one sentence’ he says. ‘Leadership is defined by action. The more you do, the better you get. Leadership gets enhanced by taking up more and more roles.’ The confidence of this toastmaster is palpable. He looks you in the eye and brooks no nonsense. If his team suffers setbacks he is not one to panic or come undone. He focuses on the larger goal. He stays calm and his team stays calm.

If he has to roll up his sleeves…so be it! He is ready. When your team sees that you are hard working and willing to get down in

Program Quality Director, Chandrashekar DP - Conversation with Sanjeev Patra and Beena Mandrekar

He quotes J Wooden as he says… It is also to promises made and promises kept. And all his team mates will vouch for the fact that Toastmaster Chandra is a fair leader.

the trenches with them, they know that you are leading by ex-

‘Talent is god given, be humble

ample. Commitment is not just to hard work.

Fame is man given, be grateful Conceit is self given, be careful’

SEARCHING FOR A CLUB??

Go to d98tm.in > District 98 > Club list  

Enter club name or club id Click on the result

please visit www.d98tm.in/site/clublist.html www.d98tm.in

info@d98tm.in

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Leadership

COMMUNICATE 98 | OCTOBER 2015

Another aspect of leadership is what Indra calls compass or integrity. This is probably the most important of all leadership traits. Zig Zagler says” It is true that integrity alone won't make you a leader, but without integrity you will never be one". So we need to ask

ourselves,

'Do we always do the right thing'?

In Toastmasters too, Integrity is the first of the four core values. Our CEO, Daniel Rex's recent Indra Nooyi, the Chairperson and CEO of PepsiCo, one of

letter on the subject makes it very relevant. All

the most influential business persons in the world has a

over the world, you will find hundreds of

'5C' model for successful leaders and believes that this is

educational awards being uploaded on 30th

the essence of being a worthy leader.

June. Is that a coincidence or what?

Spiderman's Uncle Ben said, “With great power

Competency – Be really good at something to stand out.

comes great responsibility”. Leadership gives

Be a lifelong student.

you power which means that you should use it

Courage and Confidence – Have confidence in your deci-

with responsibility and the commitment to

sions and have the courage to speak out.

carry out your assigned duties. Are our leaders

Communication skills – You can never over-invest in de-

really doing that?

veloping oral and written communication skills.

Consistency – Be consistent in what you say and do.

Area Directors have to visit clubs once before

Compass – Your compass must always point towards

30 November in this term. The current status in

true North. Without integrity, none of the other skills

our District is that 24 Clubs have been “visited”

matter.

so far, out of a total of 123 Clubs, which works out to 19.5% only. 4 months out the 5 month

Recently, I had the privilege of meeting a Toastmaster

period are nearly over! Will we have 100% visits

who displayed amazing courage and confidence in a time

by the required date? Of what use is visiting the

of great crisis. Vera Johnson was on the 46th Floor of the

club at the end of the term? It should be done in

South Tower of the World Trade Center on 11 September

the beginning of the term because clubs need

2001. When the first plane struck the North Tower, they

guidance and support throughout the term, not

heard the bang but did not know what had happened.

in the last month alone. The TMI website is

The Security personnel told everyone to stay where they

accessible to all and club information is

were, till further instructions were received. Vera said

transparent!

that she was in charge of the safety of her people and

There are many definitions of Leadership but

took the decision to take her staff down the staircase to

the one I like the best is:

ground level, instead of waiting as instructed. Her courageous decision saved the lives of 23 persons! www.d98tm.in

Shireesh Nadkar,VP Education Toastmasters Club of Pune

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COMMUNICATE 98 | OCTOBER 2015

Lead a Team “Leadership translate

is vision

the

capacity

into

to

reality.”

- Warren Bennis When I was 17, I asked my Dad who a leader was….

‘A Leader is one who leads the group’ he answered. ‘He not only creates a vision but also fills in alluring colors.’ That image played over and over in my head.

He pointed to a neighboring plot of land which was once a beautiful garden. It had grass growing in plenty and flowers danced in the sun. Birds chirped

TM Sagar Agarwal , President Toastmasters Club of Pune-Camp

and ate the fruits off the trees. But today the patch

It has been rightly quoted by Helen Keller, “Alone

of land was lying barren. It was indeed a sight for

we can do so little, together we can do so much”.

sore eyes. Some people were hovering around

Contribute towards a common vision; it won’t be

wearing masks and carrying tools while some oth-

less than a miracle to have your vision shaping into

ers were digging out clumps of earth. My Dad whis-

reality.

pered ‘Do you know what these people are doing

Abandon the thought that a leader is the same as a

here today?’ I shrugged my shoulders. ‘They are

boss. A leader appreciates

working in a team to return the garden to its old

every single individual and attracts every opportuni-

glory. Some are digging the soil, some others are

ty to create a new direction for the team’s vision.

pouring dry soil over that portion, behind them,

Also remember, if we know what our tasks are and

there is one who is sowing seeds for the grass, and

what our responsibilities as a leader are, we then

one more is sprinkling water over the seeds. They

make the vision a reality.

are all helping create a garden where sorrow has no entry and joy knows no exit."

www.d98tm.in

every effort taken by

TM Sagar Agarwal President Toastmasters Club of Pune-Camp

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COMMUNICATE 98 | OCTOBER 2015

A Rendezvous with me...

With royalty in my blood and vibrancy in my aura, I stand tall, with my head held high, as the king of Rajasthan, the capital city, basking in my glorious past. Peo-

The Sheesh Mahal of Amer Fort, the cannon of Jaigarh will transport you into a battle field. The magic begins and ends here.

ple call me ‘THE PINK CITY’, but my actual name is “JAIPUR” – named after my creator-Maharana Sawai Jai Singh. The pink colour comes not because I blush when the world calls me beautiful but because my beauty has a heart too! This pink makes the smallest of my lanes look vivacious, and gives a new meaning to hospitality. “PADHARO MHARE DES” is a refrain that will travel with you everywhere you go.

Apart from being a well proportioned, meticulously carved out, rich and royal city, I have another side that contributes to the grace and exuberance. The intricate handcrafted items and exquisite jewellery will take your breath away. The local 'Kundan', style jewellery, the exotic blue pottery, the batik painting, block printed textiles of Sanganer and Bagru, tie & dye fabrics, Mojari- (the local shoe),

You can visit Jaipur and experience history through palaces and forts like Nahargarh Fort, City Palace, Hawa Mahal, Jaigarh Fort, Amer Fort, Hawa Mahal and

sandal wood carving items, beautiful stone carvings are so irresistible that you feel compelled to buy them all.

Rambagh Fort.

The spectacular opulence of the city trickles down to every corner, every door, window and every balcony.

You can visualize royalty proceeding for a ceremony and you may wonder what it was like then with a King having five Queens.

My magic is sprinkled everywhere: in the folk dance and melodies of Rajasthan, in the pride and prestige of the havelis, in the intricacies of the art and crafts, in the sun filled mornings and in the first showers. Come visit me again.

-TM Shubhada Pareek VP-Education, TCS BE@T Gandhinagar

www.d98tm.in

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COMMUNICATE 98 | OCTOBER 2015

Wanderlust

TM KARAN GUPTA Deloitte Hyderabad Toastmasters Club

I have a terrible, terrible affliction. It’s a disease that

It doesn’t matter that I have nothing planned. I will go

seasonally takes root in my mind and poisons my

someplace and my time is well spent. Travelers are

thoughts so I can think of nothing else but the ob-

like junkies, they are never satisfied and always crave

ject of the poisoning. The disease is wanderlust and

for more. For instance I have travelled to Mumbai,

the poison is the allure of the next destination.

Varanasi, Kurnool, Belum Caves, Vijaywada, Chirala,

Wanderlust is an acquired syndrome and no one is

Guntur

born with it. Some develop it over the years, some

Dudhsagar, Panjim, Gokarna, Jog, and Karwar in this

are exposed to it early on but once you are ex-

year alone. I am not counting the trips I made to

posed, it will take permanent hold.

home and back. It is not as expensive or difficult as

I have been travelling to places as far as I can re-

you might think. I am earning an entry level IT em-

member and I am told even as a babe in arms! My

ployee’s salary and I financed all of the above on my

parents weren’t going to let a small hurdle like a

own.

baby get into the way of travel, so they took me

I could write chapters on the experiences I had in

along for the ride. Travelling as a young couple on

each of these places – the fun, the drama, the disas-

State Roadways buses with a two year old must

ters, the adventure and the thrill of exploring the un-

have been quite an experience. But they made sure

known. That is the high we seek as travel junkies. It is

I was healthy, well fed and generally happy. In our

a great way to disconnect from your life and enjoy the

family, school vacations meant that you finished

beauty of the world. There is just this insatiable appe-

your homework ASAP because a family trip to the

tite to find new places, see new things and enjoy new

seaside, hills, mountains, desert or island was al-

cuisines.

ways in the offing.

I read somewhere (and the math seems accurate)

I have carried this tradition over to my young adult

“Life only gives you 4000 weekends to enjoy this

life as well. Every opportunity I get I am on the

strange little planet. Never apologize for spending

move. I look at my calendar two months in advance

them on what makes you happy.” The only thing that

and mark off all the long weekends and extended

distresses me is that was 4000 weekends seems like

holiday opportunities and promptly apply for leave.

an incredibly short number of days to see the whole

Bavupeta,

Nanded,

Bidar,

Srisailam,

world. I sincerely hope not. www.d98tm.in

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COMMUNICATE 98 | OCTOBER 2015

Indore – The City of Four Toastmasters Clubs and a Tourist Destination

It has a wonderful blend of Muslims talking chaste Ur-

Madhya Pradesh (MP) is said to be the heart of Incredible India

and its

commercial capital Indore is known for commerce, art, and entertainment. Indore is the only city in India to have both an IIT and an IIM, and of course four toastmasters clubs.

Indore is around 500 years old, and its history dates back to the Maratha Empire. Till 15th century end, its original nucleus was a river side village on the bank of the Saraswati river. This area is now known as Juni Indore (Old Indore).

du, and Punjabis, Gujaratis and Maharashtrians in equal number...

Food Indore is also called ‘Street Food Capital of India.’ It has a wide variety of Namkeens (Bhujiya like snack called Sev and its variants), Poha & Jalebi, Chaats (snacks), Kachoris and Samosas, cuisines of various types and Maratha, Mughlai, Bengali, Rajasthani, continental and confectionery sweets, as well as local delicacies such as Dal-Bafla. Most important place in Indore for Foodies is Sarafa Bazaar, where a wide range of Indian fast food is available. Chhappan Dukan is a major food junction in

Geography Indore is located in the western region of Madhya Pradesh, on the southern edge of the Malwa plateau. It lies on the Saraswati and Kahn rivers, which are tributaries of the Shipra River and has an average elevation of 553 meters above mean sea level. It is located on an elevated plain, with the Vindhya Range to the south. The best time to travel to Indore is during the October-November period when the monsoons are just over and winter is yet to set in.

The city enjoys a unique geographical and cultural

Indore.

One can easily find snacks like 'Khaman', 'Kachori – aaloo kachori, dal kachori etc.', 'samosa', 'patties', 'Baked Samosa', 'Bhel Puri',' Pani Puri', 'mathri', 'sabudana khichdi' etc. as well as delicacies like – 'Gajak','Bhutta kis', 'Gulab Jamun', 'garadu', 'Rabri', kadai’s boiling milk, 'aaloo tikiya', 'Halwa : – Gajar, Moong', ice creams and so on.

So toastmasters plan a trip to Indore and we will take you on an unforgettable ride.

advantage. www.d98tm.in

TM Pankaj Kothari , District Parliamentarian District 98 Toastmasters International

16

Where Leaders Are Made

COMMUNICATE 98 | OCTOBER 2015

Every step provides a view to be cherished. The sense of achievement and excellence is tremendous.

The first and foremost thing that captivated me, when I got exposed to Toastmasters is its tagline…“Where Leaders are made??” Is it a factory or a manufacturing company for Leaders? May sound peculiar now. But frankly at that point I did not have any idea on what it could do for me and how it would impact me.

When I attended the Toastmasters meeting for the first time in January 2014, I was overwhelmed with each and every bit of it. Soon after it I decided to join in and kick off my transformational journey.

Gradually, I started taking numerous leadership

TM Asha Pratyasa,President, Deloitte Hyderabad Toastmasters

roles in the club meetings, special meetings, events

The interesting part of the journey and the view that

and conferences. These opportunities were the

follows, is how each individual experiences it in a

field of study. From each and every leadership role

unique way, as if the experience were specifically

I took I learned something and incorporated the

designed for them. Every step provides a view to be

learnings in my next role. It gave me a chance to

cherished. The sense of achievement and excellence

experiment, practice, rectify and leverage my lead-

is tremendous.

ership skills.

In this course of action I got immense opportunities

No one can fully appreciate or understand the im-

to grow… not only in this fraternity, but also as an

portance of leadership in Toastmasters, until they

Individual. Because, leadership is not about a posi-

are part of it. Here tasks can’t be forced or can’t

tion, it’s an attitude. And, this platform prepares the

just be mechanically assigned. A unique art of exe-

best in building the correct attitude. And once we

cution and leading the task is learnt. Each experi-

have a positive attitude, nothing can stop us from

ence teaches you to have an intent for yourself and

achieving excellence. Beside excellence, I have

an impact on others. As a leader, there is no great-

grown emotionally, psychologically, professionally

er joy than knowing that you helped someone be-

and philosophically. And the best part is all this

come better! As a toastmaster leader I acquired a

growth and learning was natural, not intentional.

critical role to encourage, motivate and provide

Now I can understand the reason behind this tagline

constructive feedback to members for their im-

of Toastmasters. This community is not less than a

provement.

manufactural zone of leaders, “Where Leaders are made”. Indeed…!!! www.d98tm.in

17

COMMUNICATE 98 | OCTOBER 2015

Confluence

Behind-The-Scenes

Confluence 2015 The Program Quality team is working to give you the

With less than a month to go for the biggest day of District 98,

excitement is in

the air and preparations are on full swing. Ideas are flowing like never before! Team Confluence is gearing to put up a show of a lifetime in the first ever District Conference of District D98! #mymoment is what we would love to create for each one of you!

The team started its work right from May 2015 and introduced its mascot Toastie to the district! PR team take a bow.

If our editorial team is working to make the souvenir

best in the 3 days in terms of quality, value and learning. The current World Champion of Public Speaking Mohammed Qahtani is one of the many attractions the team brings to you! While the Sponsorship Team members are indeed being great marketers to get us sponsors to make our event even more wonderful, the F&B is conducting food tastings to ensure we all get tasty and delicious food! The awards team is with all enthusiasm planning on how to make awardees feel special and the finance manager is ensuring we do it all the best way in the right budget!

look creative, the entertainment team is planning quite a few surprises for all of you! The logistics team is putting in all efforts to ensure each of us have a smile on our face and the hospitality team is working on creating the wow for you, the Hyderabad way!

The smoothness of members being a part of the conference can be accredited totally to the meticulousness of our registration team.

www.d98tm.in

18

COMMUNICATE 98 | OCTOBER 2015

Contd...

The Engagement team is engaging the registered

We, the CONFLUENCE Team, promise to bring you the

participants and keeping them informed periodically.

best district conference and assure you that you will go

You are our priority! While each team is working to

back with an enriched experience!

get in place everything to create a 1000 smiles, each

So what are you waiting for‌! It's time to register!

other team is also working towards helping the oth-

www.meraevents.com/event/confluence2015

er team with a flow of ideas! 'Nothing to beat team

have already registered, we are waiting to receive you.

If you

work' is what this team of Confluence is showcasing!

Team Confluence

Happy to be a part of such a team!

www.d98tm.in

19

Know Your Leader District Public Relations Officer

COMMUNICATE 98 | OCTOBER 2015

Our reporter caught up with this extremely busy toastmaster and pinned her down for a few questions‌ 1. Could you please share your experience about your role as a Conference Chair of Dist. 98? This is the first time.

In October 2013 at the semi-Annual Conference of Divisions E and F, for the first time ever I got an opportunity to be the conference chair. It was an event where all key role players were women. I thoroughly enjoyed being able to work with so many different people on a variety of ideas. That was the beginning of my foray into leadership roles at the conference. I remember TM Venkata telling

We have many interesting and exciting things

me once that in any meeting/ event/ conference

planned for all the 3 days and I should probably not

that you attend, if given a chance, take up a role.

disclose them. The toastmasters should experience it

Small or big doesn't matter. This was a defining

for themselves 3. How are your preparations going

statement for me in this journey of leadership.

on for the Conference?

My role as the Conference

Preparations are on in full strength

chair of District 98 comes

and it’s a very challenging yet excit-

with a lot of responsibility

ing phase. Each night, I strike off the

towards all the members in

number of days left and look forward

the district. The first semi

to a new day to be able to put to-

annual conference of the

gether more pieces for the confer-

new district would be noth-

ence. Here I must also mention the

ing less than a Toastmasters

wonderful core committee which has

Diwali with all the sparkles

close to 30 plus members in different

around.

roles. Their strength is my strength now.

2. Have you come up with any special surprises for

4. Any message to our readers?

toastmasters to witness in the District Conference

Friends, Team Confluence promises to make this con-

in November? Do you want to share it with us?

ference uniquely different. Those 3 days perhaps

Well, to start with we have Mohammed Qahtani,

would give you more than 300 memories to take back

the WCPS 2015 himself coming down to Hydera-

home. Togetherness of one passion

bad. This is no surprise now.

Srinidhi Dasaka in conversation with Sanjeev Patra www.d98tm.in

20

COMMUNICATE 98 | OCTOBER 2015

Forรงa Goa!

There is an old Portuguese adage that says:

Everyone is also gearing up for the wedding season.

'Quem viu a Goa nรฃo ten-de ver a Lisboa!' It means:

While the skies turn orange at the hint of sunset, the

The one who has seen / visited Goa need not see /

elders whisper aloud an old secret that tells of a good

visit Lisbon. Lisbon, the land of the

mackerel catch in the offing. Indeed plenty

melodious 'fado' is beautiful. But

of fish raids the market the next day tempt-

Goa has a charm of its own.

ing even the tourists to make a beeline for

The Rome of the East, the Pearl of

their share.

the Orient, the land of Sun, Sea, Sand

Even football has invaded the space with

and Song opens up to a different fla-

Forรงa Goa on everyone's lips. The ISL has

vour of life in October. Goa prepares

kept every foot kicking the air in excitement

itself to welcome those honoured guests; guests

and every busy person is seen shifting his time goal-

who appreciate her beauty, guests who rein in the

posts to ensure his presence at the stadium or at least

revenues, guests who befriend and devour the natu-

in front of a giant screen somewhere nearby. The

ral magnificence of vast patches of greens and the

Toastmasters of Goa Area are capitalising on the sea-

blues of the flowing waters.

son and the football to find appropriate themes for our

In frenzied preparation, this is the time Goa is buzz-

meetings. No one is away from the excitement.

ing with activity, right from the beach where the

This is the time when Goa is best enjoyed with the spice

shacks are in the process of being erected, to the

of Vindalho, the sweetness of Bebinca which is all con-

mini market in the furthest village which is getting

quered with a blitzkrieg from Feni land!

sufficiently stocked up.

There is a rush in every corner of India to make travel plans to be a part of the EDM festivals in Goa, while

Colin Savio Coelho, Margao Toastmasters Club, Goa

every musician and band in Goa prepares to start

www.d98tm.in

21

Joint Meeting

COMMUNICATE 98 | OCTOBER 2015

Bombay Toastmasters Club and Mumbai Toastmasters Club Joint meeting The members of the Bombay Toastmasters

When I asked the others about their experience, I un-

club and the Mumbai toastmasters club-two veter-

derstood that one joint meeting without any specific

an clubs of the city-have shared a rather compli-

cause has now facilitated a greater cause and allowed

cated relationship. We cannot call it a love-hate

members to acknowledge that the idea of being an-

relationship because hate is one quality that Toast-

chored to one club has far less value than the feeling of

masters clearly don’t entertain, yet nobody has

sharing the virtues of being a toastmaster. Complicated

expressed their love for the other club in any cer-

is just a word that seemed to lose power over the

tain terms.

strong bond of communication and leadership that was displayed at that meeting. Every member and guest

Well, at least nobody had expressed their love un-

present that day was happily ready to commingle with

til the 10th of October 2015. That Saturday evening

the other and accept the possibilities of the bonding.

seemed like a movie wherein the audience (members of the other clubs, specifically our mu-

Words can barely express the experience and those

tual friends from TCS) were eagerly awaiting the

who missed it… missed it! The camaraderie however is

long-lost twins (BTM and MTM) to meet,

certainly not a one time show and times ahead will

greet,and learn amidst happiness, cheer, and posi-

bring similar occasions for all members and guests to

tive possibilities.

learn and experience much more. Until then, each

Yes, it did happen. BTM and MTM came together

member is welcome at both the clubs to learn and

for a joint meeting for no specific cause because

grow together. Because we all know - ‘2gether we are

we never needed one.

100%’.

Rajna Shetty VP Public Relations Mumbai Toastmasters Club www.d98tm.in

22

The Memorable Area Contest

COMMUNICATE 98 | OCTOBER 2015

Bombay Toastmasters Club and Mumbai Toastmasters Club Joint meeting 11th October, 2015 will go down in the history of

Gaveliers as young as 8 years old took the stage one by

Gujarat Toastmasters, as a day worth remember-

one, had their responsibilities read out by the Area Di-

ing. It was the time for Area Level Humorous and

rector Sahil. And to complete the picture we had Pro-

Evaluation Speech Contest. 3 clubs sent their war-

gram Quality Director DTM Chandra as the guest of

riors, to the battle field. Humorous contest: Dhan-

honor. He opened his speech by sharing the lesson he

raj Kamdar (Amdavad Toastmaster Club), Anurup

learnt from the movie, Everest “One step at a time and

(TCS BE@T Gandhingar) and Evaluation speech

that has to be a firm step. We simply need to continue

contest: Preeti Pathak (Amdavad Toastmaster

to do what we have been doing all the time.” Chandra

Club), Stephen D'Cruz (TATA Power Toastmasters

informed, that the mission for the new born baby Dis-

Club) and Anurup (TCS BE@T Gandhingar). But

trict 98 is “nobody should be dependent on the other;

this was just one part of the show. The installation

we should be self sufficient though we always welcome

ceremony of the Executive Committee of Skyz

synergy. We are never alone, the real learning is before

Gavels Club, the first Gavels Club of Gujarat proved

the speech and stage time is divine time.” After Chan-

to be the icing on the cake.

dra's mesmerizing words it was time for the results.

Humorous Speech contest winner: TM Dhanraj and Evaluation Speech contest winner: TM Preeti.

www.d98tm.in

23

Revitalized Education Program

COMMUNICATE 98 | OCTOBER 2015

Presenting the Chief Ambassador for the

Revitalized Education Program

Why is toastmasters embarking on this project?

The Editor of Communicate 98 caught up with Venkata Ramana Dittakavi, ACB, ALB, who has been selected as Chief Ambassador of the Revitalized Education Program. Excerpts of the interview…. You have been selected as the Chief Ambassador of the revitalized education program.

Congratulations!

In 2010, Toastmasters International Board of Directors identified the need to modernize the communication aspect of the

education program and renew the

focus on leadership. The main objective of the REP is to meet the evolving needs of our toastmaster members - improve the present education program by providing greater access to educational materials, ex-

Thank you very much.

panded learning resources and an educational experience with real world application.

What does your role include?

When is the program proposed to launch?

Chief Ambassador’s role is to educate the toastmaster members about the revitalized education program (REP), by explaining the program’s enhancements and benefits with regular updates about the progress made in the program for implementation. Also importantly, to provide feedback received from the members to the development team for improvement of the program. A team of dedicated Ambassadors will be there to

Well….if everything goes well, the phased rollout will be during September 2016. However, the program will be launched ONLY when it is fully ready.

You will have under you Ambassadors and learning masters. Please explain their role.

Just a month back, I have been appointed as Chief Ambassador for District 98. Ambassadors help Chief Ambassador in spreading the information about the progress made in REP and the inherent benefits of REP

help the Chief Ambassadors. www.d98tm.in

24

Contd...

COMMUNICATE 98 | OCTOBER 2015

with quarterly updates received from the TI by

join as members. Manuals will change. The highest

visiting the clubs across the District.

award in Toastmasters: the DTM will remain the same.

Regarding Learning Masters, to be frank, I still

About other awards in place of CC, CL etc. etc., they

need to know about it.

may change and a committee is still working on that.

Two important aspects of changes will be in Evalua-

Currently we are not listed as District 98 under

tions and Mentoring. There will be standardization in

the revitalized education program. There are cer-

evaluations. Those who want to be mentors have to

tain names under District 41. Is that correct? Will

pass some eligibility criteria and should have completed

you be choosing your team of Ambassadors and

some specific projects.

learning Masters under District 98?

The clarity in many of these changes is still await-

You can see my name on TI website under the list

ed. Hopefully, soon there will be more clarity in the

of Chief Ambassadors against District 98 only.

next update which is expected during October

As you rightly mentioned, there are some names

2015. Let’s wait.

of toastmaster members of District 98 appearing against Ambassadors in District 41. It was because

There is an FAQ available on TI website, - https://

they were appointed as Ambassadors before the

www.toastmasters.org/Resources/Revitalized-

District was split. Your name (DTM Beena Mandre-

Education-Program - which anyone can access and clari-

kar) is also one amongst them too. We need to

fies many of these doubts in detail.

provide the list of Ambassadors of District 98 to

Does this program rely on digital technology?

TI. I will discuss this issue with District Trio before

Toastmaster members will have access to more online

finalizing the list of Ambassadors. I would also

materials, videos etc. than ever before. But, members

need to know whether all those Ambassadors

will be able to access the material both online and in

who belong to the new District 98 and were ap-

print.

pointed as Ambassadors before the split, are still interested to continue to play the role of Ambas-

How will the members benefit from this program?

sadors in District 98.

The revitalized education program will offer members: A learning experience tailored to personal and profes-

Will the current structure of toastmasters

sional goals Development of transferable communica-

change?

tion and leadership skills Greater access to educational

The club meeting format will remain the same as

materials

much as possible. Everything in the current educa-

Expanded learning resources, such as video and digital

tion program will not change. The core values of

content

toastmasters education program will remain the same. The way one accesses the educational ma-

Thank you very much. It is been a pleasure talking to

terial will change. There will be different areas of

you.

learning. Members can choose the areas of learning as per their interests and needs, as soon they www.d98tm.in

25

Winners

COMMUNICATE 98 | OCTOBER 2015

And The Winners Are...

HUMOROUS SPEECH

SPEECH EVALUATION

C Sudarshan Mahajan

Saurabh Rai

D Shanthi Muninathan

Kunal Sarpal

E Pooja

Sailesh

F Karan

Prudvinath

At the time of going to press, the results of Division A and B have not been announced.

www.d98tm.in

26

COMMUNICATE 98 | OCTOBER 2015

KNOW YOUR LEADERS DISTRICT 98 CORE

BRILLIAN SK DISTRICT DIRECTOR

CHANDRASHEKAR DP PROG QUALITY DIRECTOR

ARVIND NAIR CLUB GROWTH DIRECTOR

FARIDA DSILVA DIAS DISTRICT ADMIN MNGR

NISHANT MEHTA DISTRICT FINANCE MNGR

SRINIDHI DASAKA DISTRICT PUBLIC RELATION

CHINMAYA DAVE DISTRICT CHIEF JUDGE

SOMNATH B DISTRICT WEBMASTER

BEENA MANDREKAR

MOHAN KARAMBELKAR

PANKAJ KOTHARI

VENKATA RAMANA DITTAKAVI

DISTRICT NEWSLETTER EDITOR

DISTINGUSHED CLUB PROG MNGR

DISTRICT PARLIAMENTARIAN

CHIEF AMBASSADOR, REVITALIZED EP

CHETAN THAKKAR DISTRICT LOGISTIC MNGR

ANAND KUMAR CLUB GROWTH DIRECTOR

ANKIT JAIN ASST CLUB GROWTH DIRECTOR

HITENDRA BHADANG CREDENTIALS CHAIR

www.d98tm.in

27

COMMUNICATE 98 | OCTOBER 2015

KNOW YOUR LEADERS DISTRICT 98 CORE

NIKHIL SALVI DIVISION B DIRECTOR

NITESH AGARWAAL DIVISION C DIRECTOR

RAVI TEJA MARUPPU DIVISION E DIRECTOR

ARUNA THAPA DIVISION F DIRECTOR

PRITAM AREKAR

NAMRATA SRIVATSAVA

PRAMOD MOHANDAS

REEBA GEORGE

AREA DIRECTOR A1

AREA DIRECTOR A2

AREA DIRECTOR A3

AREA DIRECTOR A4

VIPUL JAIN

SAHIL SHARMA

EKNATH HOLE

CHETAN THAKKAR

AREA DIRECTOR B2

AREA DIRECTOR B3

AREA DIRECTOR B4

MOHIT CHABRA DIVISION A DIRECTOR

AREA DIRECTOR B1

www.d98tm.in

LEO PAULOSE DIVISION D DIRECTOR

28

COMMUNICATE 98 | OCTOBER 2015

KNOW YOUR LEADERS DISTRICT 98 CORE

NAGAPPAN P

RAHUL KALE

ANUPRIYA SINHA

ARUN NAWGE

AREA DIRECTOR C1

AREA DIRECTOR C2

AREA DIRECTOR C3

AREA DIRECTOR C4

AKBAR KHAN

SHAILESH NATU

SANJAY UPADHYAY

TUSHAR SONJE

AREA DIRECTOR D1

AREA DIRECTOR D2

AREA DIRECTOR D3

AREA DIRECTOR D4

NAVNEET PERI

MANASA INAMPUDI

RAJASEKHAR M

PAVAN S

LAKSHMI KIRAN M

AREA DIRECTOR E1

AREA DIRECTOR E2

AREA DIRECTOR E3

AREA DIRECTOR E4

AREA DIRECTOR E5

SOWMYA C

VIKRAM C

MANISH R

DARSHAN KHANNA

PRATHIMA M

AREA DIRECTOR F1

AREA DIRECTOR F2

AREA DIRECTOR F3

AREA DIRECTOR F4

AREA DIRECTOR F5

www.d98tm.in

29

COMMUNICATE 98 | OCTOBER 2015

TEAM NEWSLETTER EDITOR , District 98

BEENA MANDREKAR WEBMASTER , District 98

SOMNATH BHATTACHARJEE

NEWSLETTER LEAD

SANJEEV PATRA Representing Hyderabad, Divisions E & F

NEWSLETTER LEAD

AISHWARYA CHANDRASEKARAN Representing PUNE

NEWSLETTER LEAD

PAVAN PUNJABI Representing MUMBAI AREA B TECH TEAM

SHALINI GANDHAM

NEWSLETTER LEAD

COLIN SAVIO COELHO REPRESENTING GOA

TECH TEAM

RAJIV PINGALE

TECH TEAM

MIHIR MANDSORWALE

www.d98tm.in

30

COMMUNICATE 98 | OCTOBER 2015

Mohammed Qahatani

the World Champion of Public speaking 2015 -16 will be

the Star Attraction at Confluence - Semi Annual district conference of Toastmasters of District 98 at Hyderabad.

Disclaimer: Although great care has been taken in bringing out this issue, we apologize for any inadvertent errors or omissions. The newsletter contains individuals views of contributors, District 98, the District Director or the Editor may not subscribe to the same. You may report errors, miss-outs and suggestions to newsletter@d98tm.in www.d98tm.in

31

www.d98tm.in