Club No.05056625,Area 10,Division-C,Region 11,District 105
MALAYALAM TOASTMASTER CLUB
NEWSLETTER
From: The Editors Desk, I welcome you all to our third edition of Malayalam Toastmasters Club - Toasted Tidings‌.. With every celebration of great achievements and many triumphs of Malayalam Toastmasters club is an occasion to cherish. In this issue, our members share some inspiring stories that surround the theme. It is definitely, a safe and friendly environment where you can practise leadership and communication skills. We believe in providing our members a platform that gives them great motivation to challenge themselves, explore and overcome difficult areas in their Toastmasters journey. Our team leaders and members keep participating constantly for all the club events and contests. I wish you all best of luck for upcoming competitions and new leadership challenges ahead. Happy Reading... Regards, Aneesh Kadavil Vice President Public Relations Malayalam Toastmasters Club
President
MTM Charulatha Balachandran ACB,ALB(98466403)
VP Education
TM Rohin Kumar,VC2(95138867)
VP Membership
TM Shaji Manayampilly ACB,ALS(95545935) VP Public Relation TM Aneesh Kadavil(92540078)
Secretary
MTM Laly Gomes(98559312)
Treasurer
TM Ignesh M. Lazar(91789950) Sergeant At Arms TM Ajeesh Sambasivan (99356373)
Club Sponsors
DTM George Meladan(99318980) TM Venugopal P.R ACB,ALB(99038390)
Club Mentors
TM Elias V. Abraham ACS,ALB(99211816) TM Sankaran Nambissan(93201148)
Area 10 Director
TM Dileep Kumar ACB,ALB(99324273)
MALAYALAM TOASTMASTER CLUB
NEWSLETTER
President’s Address This year has been a very special one to me, as I was elected as the President of Malayalam Toastmasters Club. I have made sure to work towards the betterment of the club at every available opportunity. Fortune favored me and during my term, we celebrated our 150th Session. This was indeed an unforgettable evening for our club, for all the stalwarts of our club were present to commemorate this occasion. It has been our aim to continue on the path of our past office bearers and progress further. As a President’s Distinguished Club, I have a huge responsibility on my shoulders to maintain the stature of our club, and also to uplift it further. We are gaining DCP points as planned, and as we have been achieving in the previous years, we hope to get perfect scores yet again. We have quite a good number of new members and this facilitated us in getting the Smedley award this term. One of the main proponents in the making of a good toastmaster is to understand the art of public speaking, and to explain this to members who are intensively interested to develop themselves, I have taken special care to make sure they receive proper mentoring and attention. We hold education sessions regularly by toastmasters who are at the top of their game and we encourage our members to present various topics related to this so that it can be a learning experience for them as well. We also engage all our members to actively participate in our sessions and partake in our various events and competitions year round. Our executive committee this term is a brilliant team of youngsters who are wanting to make a difference and push our club to new heights. We try to motivate our members by maintaining records of everyone’s points and acknowledging them. It has come to our notice that this in fact is a great motivation to all! I hope by the end of our term, we are able to have a club full of members who are filled with enthusiasm for Toastmaster-ing and are amazing toastmasters themselves! MTM Charulatha Balachandran
MALAYALAM TOASTMASTER CLUB
Nagabhushan Balaji, DTM Dear Toastmasters, 150 meetings and going strong. Well done Malayalam Toastmasters. Until a few years ago, we as members of Toastmasters International in the Middle East had not even dreamed of having clubs performing in languages other than English. We were also under the impression that Toastmasters is for those people who can improve their Communication in English language. Kudos to the fraternity who thought otherwise. Clubs performing in other languages started booming in the region. Arabic has made its stance, but during the last three to four years, Malayalam Toastmasters club have started zooming out.
NEWSLETTER
Nelson Menezes, DTM Dear Members of Malayalam Toastmasters Club, Congratulations on reaching your 150th meeting. Congratulations on winning the prestigious Smedley Award for 2018. This is an important milestone in your club history and one worthy of celebration. You have reached this milestone because your club successfully provides a safe environment where all members can practice their communications and leadership skills, and take what they have learned into their community, business and family lives.
For some of your members, their experience in Toastmasters will be through Malayalam Toastmasters club and as such will form their overall impression of the organization. For others it is the gateway to a broadCongratulations to your club for not only being er Toastmaster’s journey of self-development, leadborn in the year 2015 but having moved forward ership and enduring friendships and associations. with sustainability. Three and half years plus 150 Malayalam Toastmaster club is meetings is not a joke. It is an achievement. I am Currently a Distinguished Club and is working tosure there are not many in this part of the world who can speak fluently in their mother tongue wards President Distinguished Club status. rather than English - but when I witnessed the congregation of the Malayalam clubs this year, it was Halford E. Lucas says “No one can whistle a sym'make me believe' experience for me. Amazing phony; it takes a whole orchestra to play it’. speeches and the team had competitions too. I was also amazed at the passion displayed by the lead- I believe the achievements speak volumes of the ers and members who are part of this great force. dedication, commitment and passion exhibited by the entire excom brilliantly led by energetic and Well done. I take this opportunity to wish all passionate President MTM Charulatha to give its members of Malayalam Toastmasters club members the unique club experience. I commend good luck for the future with the wish that very the mentors of Malayalam Toastmasters club, Disoon, Malayalam becomes one of the recog- vision C Director Dinesh Deckker and Area Dinized languages by Toastmasters International. rector Dileep Kumar who stand as guiding pillars of support and experience to the club at all times. Thank you & Best Regards
Enjoy your celebrations and continue to follow your club mission so that not only your current members but also guests can experience the fun and personal growth that epitomizes membership in Malayalam Toastmasters club. Congratulations on achieving the milestones and here’s wishing Malayalam Toastmasters club the very best.
MALAYALAM TOASTMASTER CLUB
Building a Club Culture
NEWSLETTER
ROBIN ANAND
We spend almost two hours of our life every week in toastmasters attending a session and then may be a couple of hours preparing for the role. Do we get the returns for the time we invest? The Answer is a big Yes.
of the club are the people who develop the culture of the club and the members take it forward.
Reason – “Once we get out of toastmasters, what we want out of toastmasters, we will never get out of toastmasters” Anonymous TM
The Friendly Experiential form of learning communication and leadership skills is the magnet which kept me connected to the program.
Growth and success of clubs is dependent directly on the growth and success of the members of the club. This is only possible if we develop a culture in the club where the members feels comfortable and is motivated to perform.
Mentoring, Evaluations, Leadership opportunities, Competing with the best on a big stage, Networking and are some of the key motivations for members to continue being in Toastmasters.
Every member joins toastmaster with an objective to improve himself. However, the growth or improvement can only happen if he experiences quality sessions in his club. If we closely look at the Mission of the club - it has all the answers on how to have a quality session every time. Mission of the club: To provide a supportive and positive learning experience in which members are empowered to develop their communication and leadership skills, resulting in greater self-confidence and personal growth. First ship
part is the part the Club leadercreates for the members - Facilitation
Second part is the actual session in which experiential learning takes place - Performance Finally the growth and confidence develops - Result So in a nutshell if clubs can ensure that the right environment and right quality is provided during the sessions the results will automatically follow. Servant leadership which works towards providing a quality session packed with experiential learning opportunities will result in success of clubs. Leaders
Let us look at some key aspects that motivate and inspire members to join I joined toastmasters to simply overcome the fear of public speaking. I wanted to be confident when facing a group of people and be able to express my thoughts with clarity and precision.
The club culture is not just formed by the leaders and the role players. It is formed by each and every activity we pursue on and off the stage. Just to give an example, let us look at the role of the SAA. Someone who kick starts the session every time. If he is not motivated and does not do his role well, so much can go wrong. The meeting may start late, there may be no provisions, no stationary and finally it will result in an environment in which member is not comfortable and the role player is not confident and the meeting will lack the energy required to engage the audience. Every member, role player, leader who attends has a role to play. If we all play our role to perfection we experience a symphony. This symphony produced often enough creates the club culture that breeds champions and leaders. I wish Malayalam Tm club the best for the year ahead and hope that every session in the club is a grand symphony orchestrated by the members and leaders.
MALAYALAM TOASTMASTER CLUB
Dinesh Deckker
S.Dileep Kumar In Unity there is" strength; we can move mountains when we're united and enjoy life - Without unity we are victims. Stay united". - Quote by Bill Bailey
നമസ്കാരം The journey of Malayalam Toastmasters movement began on 15th October 2015 with the inception of Malayalam Toastmasters club. The seed which planted has grown to a tree which spreads branches throughout the toastmasters community. Within this short period ebullient Malayalam club members have spread the word about the Toastmasters platform and day by day it has expanded. Addition of Muscat Malayalam Toastmasters Club and Ruwi Malayalam Toastmasters club has strengthened the unity of Malayalam Toastmasters fraternity in Oman. The members of Malayalam toastmasters have stepped up to take many leadership roles and have even been selected from division contest to perform in district 105 convention. As the Division C Director, I am extremely proud of the acco.lades achieved by Malayalam Toastmasters club Recently a Malayalam Speech Contest was initiated and it is glad to see the trend of many toastmasters embracing their native language and performing great on stage. The dedication of founders of Malayalam Toastmasters clubs and the members made this event possible. You all made “impossible” in to “I'm possible”. I wish to see a Toastmasters Manuals in your native language, Malayalam the near future. I hope .and pray my wish to become a reality soon Never stop believing in yourself. Never thinkof quitting in life. You can do everything and you can get through every problem if you don’t quit and if you have belief on yourself. As the Division Director I will always be there for you to help you out whenever you .need me and I will stand beside you every time Wishing many more accolades in the future to keep the Malayalam Toastmasters flag flying high! നിങ്ങളെല്ലാവർക്കും
NEWSLETTER
എന്റെ
അഭിനന്ദനങ്ങൾ.
“Make our club meetings a golden experience for all our members and guests” It’s a great privilege and honour for me to share the message as an Area 10 Director, Division C, District 105, for the Malayalam Toastmasters Club News Letter. I would also like to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to all Area 10 Club Toastmaster members for their passion and dedication shown for the benefit of Toastmasters fraternity. We have 6 good standing Clubs in our Area 10 – Malayalam TM Club, OTE TM Club, Sri Lankan School Muscat TM Club, Panthera TM Club, Ruwi Malayalam TM Club and our new addition Sunrise Malayalam TM Club. Now all the Clubs have proved to be outstanding in their own fields of expertise and I am very glad to support each Club in all aspects. Our Division C Director TM Dinesh Deckker has been a great motivation and support for each activity. Let me also thank all the senior Toastmasters who have put forward their relentless support extended for the betterment of our Toastmasters journey. As a proud member of Malayalam Toastmasters Club, I have immense pleasure in sharing my message to my fellow MTC members that as a toastmaster I have learned and gained many communication and leadership skills. All senior MTC members wholeheartedly supported me to reach this position and I am personally indebted to our founder member and President TM Venugopal, Founder member and Sponsor DTM George Meladan, Past President TM. Bhaskaran, Senior member and Past Area Director Shaji Manayampilly, Senior Member and present President MTM Charulatha, Senior Member and present Area 17, Division- G Director TM Visruthan and many more. MTC have achieved Distinguished Presidential status in the first year itself and the torch was carried forward brightly by the interim teams till the last year the present TEAM is capable and doing a great job and they shall achieve the status in record time. Since 1924, Toastmasters International has been recognized as the leading organization dedicated to communication and leadership skill development. Through its worldwide network of clubs, each week Toastmasters help more than quarter million men and women of every ethnicity, education level and profession to build their competence in communication so they can gain the confidence to lead others. Empower every member with golden communication and leadership skills. Go for GOLD
MALAYALAM TOASTMASTER CLUB
I am Watching you
NEWSLETTER
By TM Rohin Kumar VC2
M y Bangalore office was on the 5th floor. I used a Microsoft phone for 4G data and hotspot. The name of my hotspot is “I am watching you!” I set this name just for fun. Earlier I had the following names: dandanakka, FUBAR, Virus, No Wifi for you etc. So, “I am watching you!” was just a name. A fun name. The walkway that connects the elevator and my office is extremely dark even during the day. Without the automated lights and other office lights on, one literally cannot see anything. It was just another office day. Two devices were connected to my hotspot: my Mac and my iPhone. When my work got over at around 10 in the night, everyone had left the office and I was the last one to leave. I packed my belongings, locked the door, and took the elevator. When I reached the ground floor, I realized that my Microsoft phone was missing. So, I went to the 5th floor again to check if I had left it there. It was so dark. I looked around watchfully and entered my office. Here is the best part: there was ABSOLUTELY no way that I could have kept in any other room than the one I was sitting just minutes ago. I was so sure because it had happened just a few minutes ago. The phone was not there. I checked the pockets of my trousers. It was not there. I checked my bag. It was not there. I started to worry. In my mind, I was sure that there could be NO other place where it might have got misplaced to. I was just getting worried until now. Just concerned. Nothing else. Here is when things changed. I called my phone from another phone in the office. The call got connected. The. Call. Got. Connected. I said “Hello.” There was an absolute silence marred intermittently by some vague ruffling noise. I freaked out terribly. I started sweating all over. I knew that NO one could have taken it. Everyone had left minutes before I left and I was SURE I took my phone. In an intense hurry, I rummaged through my bag and reached out to my iPhone. Things got real creepy here.
I checked the network on it. It read “I am watching you!” which means the Microsoft phone was somewhere there, but I could not see it. Instantaneously, a sharp chill engulfed my spine, making me shudder. The air around me started getting chill. I could hear a subtle, distant, faint berceuse encircling me in discordant pitches. I froze and locked myself in a corner, gasping profoundly. I turned on all the lights desperately. Someone was near me. On the left. On the right. Just behind me. I could see the robe. The hair was just breezing by. I could feel someone monitoring me at close quarters. I could hear the lock clicking. The lights started flickering. Distant beastly laughter ripped my pounding heart apart. The rug moved a bit, knocking the wind out of me. I was sweating all over. I could feel the sweat dripping from my face and my hands. I could feel my thighs getting wet. I could literally hear my heart beat. I wanted to shout for help. But words wouldn’t come out. I was petrified. I could see my masculinity jumping out of the dark, eerie window. I had never been so scared. I whispered a hurried prayer and took careful steps toward the door. All I wanted to do was run away. As I walked slowly toward the door, I could feel a cold breath brushing my neck. The hair on my neck rose abruptly and I screamed loudly. As I landed my butt on the door, I could feel something under my butt. The Microsoft phone was in my left rear trouser-pocket. I had checked in my trousers, bag, but I had forgotten my left rear pocket. The touch-screen is so screwed up that calls get connected when I keep the phone in my pocket. Everything I felt was a manifestation of my thoughts. I genuinely thought I would die. I was convinced that there was a paranormal being around me that night. When I reached the ground floor, I whole-heartedly thanked all the gods out there. The security guards looked at me suspiciously. I was drenched in sweat. And tears. Boy was it scary!
MALAYALAM TOASTMASTER CLUB
NEWSLETTER
Mohammed Ummer
ഒമാനില്ലേ
MALAYALAM TOASTMASTER CLUB
NEWSLETTER
Sajeev Gangadharan Dear All, We are all in journey of life busy schedules, travelling,meetings, presentations,conferences, social medias.Have you ever felt lost !!!! Yes I do many times. As I am a team player, I used to take many challenges as it comes, whether it’s in my personal or professional life . I make it as a learning point….which cost me a lot sometimes. I used to give Project evaluation speeches, Product launch speech during my official product launching and product presentations. Since 2014, I have been assigned to handle more technical queries for the products we handle in Oil & Gas sector. Recently, I found that my job has made some drastic changes within Me . I am loosing my vocabulary, vocal modulation and techniques of correlating examples which need to spread out in speech, even it has started affecting my memory power to collect and recite some points when I speak. I started to analyze myself and seeking every possibility to regain the power to get back my own capabilities and charisma that I used to have. In the meantime… my wife had joined Toastmaster club which helped me to connect with many leaders in various clubs. I found something different in members those who are in Toastmaster clubs. I started discussing with them personally and enquired how did the toaster mastering helped them in Professional and personal life. I searched for various resources that gave me access to various magazines, sites, testimonials about toastmastering benefits. It’s even amazing, how did they started TOASTMASTER and it journey till today. Every role in Toast mastering has been created with a purpose, Every role has been made with the set of standards governed with quality study. I am really convinced the fact that this is the platform where I have to land and pick up the jewels of knowledge, power, leadership, self-discipline and be a Billionaire Of Creations. Understanding the fact that toast mastering is merely a tool by which you can sharpen Yourself the edges of your credentials, capabilities and charisma, and finally I have joined the Sunrise Toastmasters Club.
“When you want something; all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it” endorse this statement as it transpired to meet many exuberant Leaders, Mentors that helped me to find out what I want. With a key note, understanding how much Toast mastering can make change within you if you are ready to accept the change. I invite all of you and those who are not yet experienced toast mastering, please call any club member or mail a request and be a guest to see what it has for you.. Don’t wait.just do it.. I wish you all very good future and all the prosperous life . Thanks Sajeev Gangadharan. VP Membership. SUNRISE MALAYLAYAM TOASTMASTR CLUB Email: sajiganga@gmail.com
MALAYALAM TOASTMASTER CLUB
DTAC Oman Diaries 2018
NEWSLETTER
Charulatha Balachandran
DTAC, District Toastmasters’ Annual Conference, is one of the most prestigious events among all of the toastmasters’ events. To attend it, is like achieving the holy grail of toastmasters. It included contestants from Middle East region, mainly UAE, Jordan, Lebanon and our very own Sultanate of Oman. There were more than 50 speakers who were contesting and each one was better than the other. The conference spans over 3 days, and is no less than a festival. Day 1 is dedicated towards registering for the event, collecting their goodie-bags and getting their badges and all that is needed for the program! Days 2 and 3 are packed with speech contests and education sessions that one must not miss! The finesse of each participant was out of the world. We were glad we didn’t have to judge them, an among the consternation of the judging panel!! We were mesmerized by the Keynote speakers and their topics of discussions; all four of the keynote speakers were renowned persons such as Pres Vasilev, who was the world champion of public speaking, Paddy Kennedy, who herself is a speech coach, Magan Kalra and Mohammed Ali Shukri, who is an award winning speaker. Being part of the registration team, I was able to personally meet and converse with each of them, which was an enlightening experience on its own. The highlight of the event was the election session which took about 4-5 hours. The entire system of voting was foolproof and a real eye-opener on how elections are contested. Candidates standing for election rallied their cause to their best possible and we were rather confused as to whom to vote for! It was indeed an informative session. This conference provided a platform for all the toastmasters present, a great opportunity to learn from their fellow toastmaster members, to understand better what the basic rules are during competitions and predominantly, DTAC is a place where we can mingle with many learned and experienced toastmasters in the field of public speaking. It was indeed one of the best experiences for me throughout my tenure as a toastmaster!
MALAYALAM TOASTMASTER CLUB
”Care for Creation“
NEWSLETTER
Shaji Manayampilly
Humanity to take care of “our common home” the Mother Nature, We have many projects aiming at protecting the Mother Nature, promoting the study and safe guarding the eco systems, for the efforts being made to develop more sustainable agriculture and more responsible nutrition and for the various educational and corporate initiatives that involves various people throughout the world in the care of Mother Nature. Let us make a serious examination of our conscience on the efforts to safe guard: 1. Do I reduce, reuse, recycle or am I engrossed in a throw away culture? 2. Do I litter, or consume food, water, or energy resources excessively or wastefully? 3. Do I take care of my pets responsibly or treat other living creatures respectfully or humanly? 4. Do I purchase the goods and services merely as economic acts or are they also moral ones that consider the providers to create environmental footprints in their pattern of production? It must be acknowledged that we have not succeeded responsibly protecting the creation. The environmental situations both on the global level and in many specific places cannot be considered as “satisfactory”. The deforestation and modern industrialisation has taken its toll with further expansion and damage to many places. It’s not easy to protect the environment and the authorities cannot implement effective law and order in preserving the nature, but it’s our attitude that needs to be changed. The balance of life will be in great trouble if the elements of nature are not protected and maintained as it should be. We all must focus on the under developed lands to be more fertile and fruitful, balancing with the eco system. There is a more growing sense of need for a renewed and sound relationship between humanity and creation. It’s only with an authentic conviction and an integral vision of humanity that will permit to take better care for our planet for the benefit of present and future generations. Because of the harm we have inflicted on her, by our irresponsible use and abuse of the Mother Nature, our land cries out to us….. Let, the “Care for creation” offer individuals and communities a fitting opportunity to affirm their personal vocation as the protectors of this wonderful Mother Nature and preserve for the future generations. “For there is no ecology without an adequate anthropology” Shaji Manayampilly, ACB, ALS VP Membership, Malayalam Toastmaster Club, Oman
MALAYALAM TOASTMASTER CLUB
NEWSLETTER
BIJU BALAKRISHNAN
MALAYALAM TOASTMASTER CLUB
വിജയ വീഥി Never Give Up
NEWSLETTER
് മേലാടൻ DTM ജ�ോർജ
് ്റമാസ്റ്റേഴ്സിന്റെ അതി ഒമാൻ മലയാളം ട�ോസ മന�ോഹരമായ ഉദ്യാനത്തിൽ തഴച്ചു വളർന്നു ഫലസമൃദ്ധിയിൽ നിറഞ്ഞു നിൽക്കുന്ന 5 ഫലവൃക്ഷങ്ങളിൽ ഒന്നാണ് നമ്മുടെ മലയാളം ് ്റ മാസ്റ്റേഴ്സ് ക്ലബ ് . നല്ല കാലാവസ്ഥയും ട�ോസ വളക്കൂറുള്ള മണ്ണും പരിചരണവും ലഭിച്ചപ്പോൾ സ്വർഗത്തിൽ ജനിച്ചു വളർന്ന പ്രതീതീയാണ് ് ആദ്യ ഓര�ോ അംഗങ്ങൾക്കും ഉണ്ടായത ് ഷം മുതൽ ഇന്ന് വരെ നൂറു മേനി വര ഫലം കാണാനും, സമൂഹത്തിൽ ഉന്നത ഇൻലവാരം പുലർത്താനും ക് സാധിക്കുന്നുണ്ട്. അംഗങ്ങൾക് ട�ോസ്റ്റ് മാസ്റ്റേഴ്സ് എന്താണ്എന്ന് അറിയുമ്പോൾ തുടർന്ന് അംഗത്വം ്ക്കും ഒരു നിധി ലഭിച്ച പ്രതീതിയാണ് അംഗത്വം എടുക്കുന്ന എല്ലാവര ് .എഴുതി പടിക്കല�ോ, തല്ലി പഠിപ്പിക്കല�ോ ഇവിടെ അനുഭവപ്പെടുന്നത ക് ആവശ്യമായ ഇല്ല. വ്യക്ത്വപരവും , സാമൂഹികവും വളർച്ചക് കാര്യങ്ങൾ സ്വയം മനസ്സിലാക്കി ചെയ്തു പഠിക്കാനുള്ള സുഖകകരമായ അവസരങ്ങൾ പ്രദാനം ചെയ്യുന്നു. സ്വയം ആർജിച്ചെടുത്ത ഗുണങ്ങൾ സമൂഹത്തിലെ എല്ലാവരിലും എത്തിക്കുന്നതിലൂടെ അദ്ഭുതകരമായ സ്വീകാര്യതയും, വളർച്ചയുമാണ് ഇന്ന് മലയാളം ട�ോസ്റ്റ് മാസ്റ്റേഴ്സിനു ലഭിച്ചു ് . ക�ൊണ്ടിരിക്കുന്നത 2015 മുതൽ 2018 വരെ യുള്ള കാലയളവിൽ അഞ്ചു ക്ലാസുകൾ ആരംഭിച്ചു നല്ലയിൽ പ്രവർത്തിച്ചുക�ൊണ്ടിരിക്കുന്നു. മാതൃഭാഷയെ പ്രോത്സാഹിപ്പിക്കുകയും , ഇംഗ്ലീ്ഷ ഭാഷയിൽ പ്രാവീണ്യം നേടാനും സാധ്യമാകുന്നു. സമയം അമൂല്യമാണെന്നു മനസ്സിലാക്കി പാഴാക്കിക്കളയാതെ, നിരവധി കാര്യങ്ങൾ മുൻഗണനാ ക്രമത്തിൽ ചെയ്യാൻ വ്യക്തികളെ പ്രാപ്തരാക്കുന്നു. സാമ്പത്തിക നേട്ടങ്ങളും, ഉന്നത സ്ഥാനമാനങ്ങളും കരസ്ഥമാക്കാനും ഇതിലൂടെ സാധ്യമാണ്. ്ബ്കളിലൂടെ നമ്മെ വിലയിരുത്താനും , മറ്റുള്ളവരെ ട�ോസ്റ്റ് മാസ്റ്റേഴ്സ് ക്ലബ കേൾക്കാനും ഗ്രഹിക്കാനും, സ്വയം തീരുമാനത്തിലെത്താനും കഴിയും . അങ്ങിനെ നമ്മളറിയാതെ നമ്മിൽ മാറ്റങ്ങൾ പ്രകടമാകുന്നു. ജീവിതം ഒരു ഉത്സവമായി മാറുന്നു. '' അജ്ഞതയെ കുറിച്ചുള്ള അജ്ഞതയാണ് ് '' ആൽബർട്ടിന്റെ വാക്കുകൾ അറിവിന്റെ അന്ത്യം കുറിക്കുന്നത പ്രശസ്തമാണ് നാം ഉയർത്തിക്കാട്ടിയ പ്രകാശം ഇനിയും കൂടുതൽ വ്യക്തികൾക്കും സമൂഹത്തിനും കൂടുതൽ നന്മ പ്രദാനം ചെയ്യട്ടെ.
MALAYALAM TOASTMASTER CLUB
സവാദ് കാരക്കുന്നേൽ
അൽഭുതമീ കുടുംബം
NEWSLETTER
TM. P. Abraham Chacko
Never stop trying, never stop believing,
നേട്ടങ്ങൾ മാത്രം, നാം അറിയാതെ തന്നെ അത്ഭുതങ്ങൾ സംഭവിക്കുന്നു . കുറെ നിഷ്കളകരായ പച്ച മനുഷ്യരുടെ കൂട്ടായ്മ . പഴി പറയാന�ോ കുറ്റപ്പെടുത്താന�ോ അറിയാത്തവർ. പ്രോൽസാഹനങ്ങൾ കയ്യടികളുംമാത്രം. ് പലകാര്യങ്ങളും പറഞ്ഞ് മുബ ഒഴിഞ്ഞുനിന്നിരുന്ന ഞാൻ ഇപ്പോൾ എത്രസുഖമില്ലെകിലും ഈ ക് എല്ലാ ആഴ്ചയും സുഖ കുടുമ്പത്തിലേക് വിവരങ്ങളറിയാൻ ഓടിയെത്തും . കാരണം ഇവിടെയുള്ളവര�ൊക്കെ എന്റെ ചേട്ടൻമാരും ചേച്ചിമാരും അതിനപ്പുറം മറ്റെല്ലാമ�ോ അന്നെന്ന് ത�ോന്നൽ ഉണ്ടാക്കും വിധമാണ് ഞങ്ങളുടെ കുടുംബത്തിലെ പെരുമാറ്റവും സ്വഭാവവും ക് . ഇവിടെ നല്ല ഒരു പരിചരണം കിട്ടുന്നുണ്ടെനിക് മതത്തെ കരുവാക്കി രാഷ്ട്രീയക്കാർ ആളുകളെ തെരുവിൽ പിച്ചിച്ചീന്തുന്ന ഈ കാലഘട്ടത്തിൽ, രാഷ്ട്രീയമ�ോ മതമ�ോ സംസാരിക്കാത്ത ഏക ് സ്ഥലം ഞാൻ കണ്ടിട്ടുണ്ടെകിൽ അത എന്റെയി കുടുബത്തിൽ മാത്രമാണ് കുടുംബബന്ധങ്ങൾപ�ോലും മറന്ന് അധികാര ക് വേണ്ടി കടിപിടികൂടുന്ന കസർകൾക് ക് പഠിക്കാനുണ്ട് ഒരുപാട ് ഈ പേക്കൂട്ടങ്ങൾക് കുടുംബത്തിൽ നിന്ന് ക് സ്വാന്തം പുതുതായി കടന്നുവരുന്നവർക് സ്ഥാനങ്ങൾ ഒഴിഞ്ഞുക�ൊടുത്തു അവരുടെ വളർച്ചയിൽ സന്തോഷം കണ്ടെത്തുന്ന ഈ കുടുംബത്തെ അത്ഭുതമി കുടുംബം എന്നല്ലാതെ എന്തു പറയാൻ ് മാസ്റ്റർ അതാണ് എന്റെ പ്രിയപ്പെട്ട ട�ോസ കുടുബം അഭിമാനിക്കുന്നു ഞാൻ ഇതിന്റെ ഭാഗമായത്തിൽ .
never give up, your day will come. The funny thing about life is that you realize the value of something only when it begins to leave you. As my hair turned from black to salt-n-pepper and finally salt without the pepper, I have began to realize the importance of youth. We must cherish what is good in us. That has become the only strength that can give us the energy to correct our weaknesses. Never give up in the face of adversity; it comes on you suddenly without warning. One can succumb to self pity, wring your hands in despair or decide to deal with the situation with courage and dignity. Always keep in mind that it is only the test of fire that makes fine steel. Life never gives anyone a challenge they cannot handle. If we plant fern and bamboo seeds together and take care of them by giving enough light and water, the fern will quickly grow from the earth and its brilliant green covers the floor. But in case of a bamboo seed, you can see a tiny sprout emerging from the earth on its fifth year only. What is happening to it all this time, its roots were growing. Never quit, never give up from its caring. You can see just within six months later, a 100 feet tall bamboo tree. Don’t compare yourself to others. The bamboo had a different purpose than fern, yet, they both make the forest beautiful. The stories of these few famous celebrities, like Sarah Jessica Parker, Stephen King, and JK Rowling are living examples for all those who definitely never gave up. Your time will come, you will rise high. “Trials keep you strong, Sorrows keep you human”. Try and Try, never fail to Try.
MALAYALAM TOASTMASTER CLUB
To be or not to be Most of us are extremely health conscious in this day and age of monumentally increasing health problems like cancer, diabetes and heart disease. We read online articles and forwarded messages about what new research is being done in the medical world or the newly discovered health benefits of a super food that will prevent cancer, we spend large sums of money each year for all kinds of treatments and annual health checkups but, when it comes to mental health, most people are still ignorant or unaware about what it is and the major ramifications it can have on one’s life if it goes unchecked or untreated. October 10th is observed as World Mental Health Day and last year World Health Organization revealed statistics on this day that more than 300 million people suffer from depression and 260 million battle anxiety disorders globally. “To be or not to be, that is the question,” the world famous soliloquy from Shakespeare’s masterpiece Hamlet, most widely interpreted as the depressed Hamlet contemplating whether it’s better to live or die, so aptly gives us an idea of the state of mind and dilemma of a depressed individual. Suicide is one of the leading causes of death globally, especially in the age range of 15 – 29 years. Nearly 90% of suicides are associated with mental health problems, particularly depression. In our country and our communities people are generally unaware of depression and its debilitating effects and even if they know about it they don’t consider it a problem big enough to consult a doctor or seek professional help. Personally, I have heard of more suicides due to depression among young children within our community in recent years and each bad news is shocking. Depression is a real disease and should not be ignored. It is not something that just goes away if a person chooses not to be sad anymore. It is a real, physical, chemical and mental problem in a person. A person suffering from depression has low levels of serotonin in the body, which is a neurotransmitter that helps regulate our moods, reduce anxiety and promotes feelings of happiness and good sleep. The typically observable symptoms of depression are: extreme feelings of hopelessness and helplessness, fatigue, insomnia/ sleeping too much, pessimistic talk, easy irritability, loss of concentration and interest/ pleasure in things that once made you happy, extreme weight loss/gain.
NEWSLETTER
Shweta Gomes According to DSM-V (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders), if five or more of these symptoms are present during the same 2 week period and indicate a significant change from previous functioning, it is a cause for concern. So you see, it is real and diagnosable, do not be under any false impression that it’s psychological hokum. It is very important to identify if you or anyone close to you is suffering from depression, with timely intervention and help you might save lives. There are so many organizations online and otherwise that help people who are battling mental health issues and suicidal thoughts. A noteworthy mention is Project Semicolon, or as it’s popularly known, Project ; Founded in 2013, this non-profit organization in America is dedicated towards suicide prevention and helping people battling depression, addiction problems and self-injurious behavior. The semicolon and their tagline, “your story is not over” gives hope to people that, like the semicolon which is used when an author wants to end a sentence but then chooses not to, they too can make the choice not to end their life and continue to live their life’s story. It is a beautiful analogy. If you or anyone close to you are suffering from depression or any other mental health disorder, tell a friend or family member, seek professional help of a psychiatrist, psychotherapist or counselor. Don’t be embarrassed or ashamed to ask for help, you are suffering from an illness like any other and just need the right treatment. And, if you ever find yourself asking the same question that Hamlet had, don’t do it, remember that there is always another way and that you are the author of your life and you have lots more amazing chapters to add to your story.
MALAYALAM TOASTMASTER CLUB
തണൽ ( കവിത )
NEWSLETTER
വേണുഗ�ോപാൽ നാഗലശ്ശേരി
MALAYALAM TOASTMASTER CLUB
ത് അതിജീവനം മലയാളിയുടെ കരുത് വിദേശികളെപ്പോലെ സഞ്ചാരം ഒരു ഹ�ോബിയായി മലയാളി കാണാൻ തുടങ്ങിയിട്ട് അധികകാലം ആയിട്ടില്ല. S.K പ�ൊറ്റക്കാടിന്റെ സഞ്ചാര സാഹിത്യ കൃതികളിലൂടെയാണ് ് യാത്രകൾ മലയാളി ഇതിനു മുൻപ ആസ്വാദ്യകരമാണെന്നു ് . തിരിച്ചറിഞ്ഞത ഹിമാലയസാമ്രാജ്യത്തിൽ, പാതിരാ സൂര്യന്റെ നാട്ടിൽ, നൈൽ ക് , നേപ്പാൾ യാത്ര ഡയറി,ആഫ്രിക്ക, ലണ്ടൻ ന�ോട്ട്ബുക് തുടങ്ങിയവയെല്ലാം അക്കൂട്ടത്തിൽ പെടും. കാലം മാറി ഇന്ന് യാത്രകൾ ശരാശരി മലയാളി കുടുംബങ്ങളിലും ജീവിതത്തിന്റെ ഭാഗമായിക്കഴിഞ്ഞു. നമ്മുടെ കേരളത്തിലും ആഭ്യന്തര ടൂറിസം തഴച്ചു ,വളരാൻ തുടങ്ങി. വീഗാലാൻഡും, ആലപ്പുഴ കായൽ സഞ്ചാരവും മൂന്നാറും, വയനാടും എല്ലാം ഇന്ന് കേരളത്തിന്റെ വിന�ോദസഞ്ചാര മേഖലയിലെ മുഖ്യ ആകർഷണകേന്ദ്രങ്ങളാണ്. ഇതെല്ലാം യാഥാർഥ്യങ്ങളാണെങ്കിലും മലയാളി അടിസ്ഥാനപരമായി ഒരു സഞ്ചാരിയല്ല. അതിജീവനത്തിനു വേണ്ടിയുള്ള സാഹസിക യാത്രകളാണ് മലയാളിയെ സഞ്ചാരിയും പിന്നെ കുടിയേറ്റക്കാരനുമാക്കിയ്ത. അല്ലെങ്കിൽ കുടിയേറ്റത്തിനു വേണ്ടിയുള്ള യാത്രകളാണ് മലയാളി നടത്തിയതും നടത്തിക്കൊണ്ടിരിക്കുന്നതും. ആയിരത്തി ത�ൊള്ളായിരത്തി അൻപതിന്റെ പകുതിയിൽ തന്നെ ശ്രദ്ദിക്കപ്പെടാത്ത പല യാത്രകളും മലയാളി നടത്തിയിരുന്നു. വൈദേശിയ സംസ്ക്കാരം ത�ൊട്ടറിയാന�ോ നാടുകാണാന�ോ ഉള്ള ് , അതിജീവനത്തിനു വേണ്ടിയുള്ള യാത്രകൾ ആയിരുന്നില്ല അത കുടിയേറ്റങ്ങൾ ആയിരുന്നു. ആദ്യമായി പത്തേമാരിയിൽ കടലിടുക്കും ഇരമ്പിയടുക്കുന്ന തിരമാലക ളെയും നീന്തിക്കടന്നു മണലാര്യണ്യത്തിൽ എത്തപ്പെട്ടു പിന്നെ പട്ടിണികിടന്നും ദാഹിച്ചു വലഞ്ഞും പ്രവാസത്തിന്റെ ക�ൊടിനാട്ടിയവർ മലയാളിയുടെ മ�ൊത്തം ് സ്വപ്നനത്തെയാണ് കൈപിടിച്ചുയർത്തിയതെന്നത ചരിത്രവും വർത്തമാനവുമാണ്. ഒരു കാല്പനികതയും സഞ്ചാരകൗതുകവും ഈ യാത്രയിൽ ഉണ്ടായിക്കാണില്ല, അതിജീവനത്തിനായുള്ള സാഹസികതയല്ലാതെ. ആദ്യകാലങ്ങളിൽ കടൽമാർഗം ഹജ്ജിനു പ�ോയവരുടെ വിവരണങ്ങളും ഇവരെ സഹായിച്ചിട്ടുണ്ടാകാം. ് നാട്ടിലേക് ക് ത�ൊഴിൽ എഴുപതായപ്പോഴേക്കും ഗൾഫ ് തേടിയെത്തുന്നവരുടെ എണ്ണത്തിൽ കാര്യമായ വർദ്ധനവ വന്നു തുടങ്ങി, എൺപത്തായപ്പോളേക്കും അന്നം തേടുന്നവന്റെ ് അത്താണിയായി പ്രവാസ ജീവിതം മാറി. തുടർന്നങ്ങോട്ട് ഗൾഫ മലയാളിയുടെ പണത്തിന്റെ കരുത്തിൽ നാടിൻറെ വികസനത്തിന്റെ ് എന്ന നാടിനെ ; മിനി ഗൾഫ ് ; ഗതി തന്നെ മാറി മറിഞ്ഞു. ചാവക്കാട എന്ന് വിളിക്കാൻ തുടങ്ങിയതും
NEWSLETTER
് കടവിൽ അനീഷ ് മേഖലയിലെ മലബാറുകാരുടെ ഗൾഫ മേധാവിത്തത്തിനു തെളിവായി കാണാം. സ്വന്തം കുടുംബത്തിന്റെ ജീവിതാവസ്ഥക്കു പുറമെ നാടിൻറെ വളർച്ചാ ഗതിയും പ്രവാസി മാറ്റി മറിച്ചു. ് രാജ്യങ്ങളിൽ വർദ്ദിച്ചു അടുത്തിടെയായി ഗൾഫ വരുന്ന സ്വദേശി വൽക്കരണവും, ആഗ�ോളതലത്തിൽ ് ഉണ്ടായ എണ്ണയുടെ വിലയിടിവും ഏറെക്കുറെ ഗൾഫ ക് സ്വപ്നങ്ങൾക് ഭംഗം വരുത്തിയിട്ടുണ്ട്. ത�ൊഴിൽ നഷ്ടപ്പെട്ടോ, കമ്പനി നൽകിയിരുന്ന ് മൂലമ�ോ ആനുകൂല്യത്തിലുള്ള കുറവ ് വിട പറഞ്ഞു പ�ോകുന്നവരുടെ എണ്ണം ഗൾഫിന�ോട ഏറി വരുകയാണ്. ഇനിയ�ൊരു സുവർണകാലം മുന്നിലില്ല എന്ന ് ഉണ്ടെങ്കിലും പല കാരണങ്ങൾ ക�ൊണ്ടും തിരിച്ചറിവ പ്രവാസം തുടരാൻ നിർബന്ധമാകുന്നു എന്ന് മാത്രം. ് മേഖലയിലെ ത�ൊഴിൽ സാധ്യത ഗൾഫ ് മന്ദീഭവിച്ചു ക�ൊണ്ടിരിക്കുന്ന വർത്തമാന കാലത അതിജീവനത്തിന്റെ പുതിയ മേച്ചിൽ പുറങ്ങൾ തേടുന്ന ക് കാണാം. ആഫ്രിക്കയും, മലയാളികളെയും നമുക് ജ�ോർജിയയും അതിജീവനത്തിന്റെ പുതിയ മേഖലയായി ് മലയാളി മറ്റാരേക്കാളും മുൻപ ് മാറാൻ തുടങ്ങിയത മനസ്സിലാക്കിയിരിക്കുന്നു. മലയാളിയുടെ അനുഭവത്തിന്റെ സിരാപടലങ്ങളിൽ ത് അതിജീവനത്തിന്റെ പുതിയ തുരുത് തിരഞ്ഞുപിടിക്കാനുള്ള ഊർജം ഉണ്ടെന്നു ചരിത്രവും വർത്തമാനവും നമ്മോടു ആവർത്തിച്ച് പറയുമ്പോൾ ദൂരെ എവിടെയ�ോ നാളത്തെ മലയാളിയുടെ കുടിയേറ്റ ് ഭൂമിക തെളിഞ്ഞു വരുന്നുണ്ട്. “അതിജീവനം അത ത് മലയാളിയുടെ കരുത് “ തന്നെയാണ്. മാറ്റങ്ങളെ ് അംഗീകരിക്കുവാനും പ്രതിക്കൂല സാഹചര്യങ്ങള�ോട പ�ൊരുതിനിൽക്കുവാനും അനുഭവങ്ങൾക�ൊണ്ട് ത് ആർജിച്ചെടുത്ത കരുത് മലയാളിയെ എന്നും മുന്നോട്ടു നയിച്ചിട്ടേ ഉള്ളു. ഏതു പ്രതിസന്ധിയെയും തരണം ചെയ്തു മുന്നേറി ജീവിത വിജയം കൈവരിക്കുന്നവരാണ് നമ്മൾ മലയാളികൾ.
MALAYALAM TOASTMASTER CLUB
“A leader is a dealer in hope” Napoléon Bonaparte
NEWSLETTER
MALAYALAM TOASTMASTER CLUB
LOVE
NEWSLETTER
T. Bhaskaran Once upon a time, there was an island where all the feelings lived – Happiness, Sadness, Knowledge, and all of the others including Love. One day it was announced to the feelings that the island would sink, so all repaired their boats and left.
Love wanted to persevere until the last possible moment. When the island was almost sinking, Love decided to ask for help. Richness was passing by Love in a grand boat. Love asked, “Richness, can you take me with you”? Richness answered, “No, I can’t. There is a lot of gold and silver in my boat. There is no place here for you”. Love decided to ask Vanity who was also passing by in a beautiful vessel, “Vanity, please help me!” “I can’t help you Love. You are all wet and might damage my boat”. Vanity answered. Sadness was close by, so Love asked for help, “Sadness, let me go with you”. “Oh…Love, I am so sad that I need to be by myself!”. Happiness passed by Love too, but she was so happy that she did not even hear when Love called her ! Suddenly, there was a voice, “Come Love, I will take you”. It was an elder. Love felt so blessed and overjoyed that he even forgot to ask the elder his name. When they arrived at dry land, the elder went his own way. Love realizing how much he owed the elder and asked Knowledge another elder,”Who helped me?” “It was Time,” Knowledge answered. “Time”? asked Love. “But why did Time help me”? Knowledge smiled with deep wisdom and answered, “Because, only Time is capable of understanding how great Love is”. True love is unconditional and ever flowing. It does not ask for acknowledgement or any kind of return. True love comes from unshakable faith in the innate goodness of every person. So dear all – Love is precious in our life. Let us love everyone in this universe !
MALAYALAM TOASTMASTER CLUB
Plastic
NEWSLETTER
Ignesh Lazer
MALAYALAM TOASTMASTER CLUB
NEWSLETTER
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