THE ECHO-ICC One Toastmasters Club Newsletter_Mar2023

ICC ONE TOASTMASTERS CLUB

CLUB No: 9379 AREA 12 DIVISION C DISTRICT 116

CLUB MISSION

Weprovideasupportiveand positivelearningexperienceinwhichmembers areempoweredtodevelopcommunicationand leadershipskills,resultingin greaterself-confidenceand personalgrowth.

ABOUT THE CLUB

TheICCONETOASTMASTERSClub(InternationalCompetent Communicators)isoneoftheoldestclubsinDoha,Qatar.Itwas foundedon21stMay2003,byMohomedIkhlasFarid,DTM.Itisan OpenCommunityClub,whichfocusesonhelpingmembers improvetheirPublicSpeakingandLeadershipSkills.Itwelcomes andencouragesgueststoattendmeetingsandhopes,thatthey wouldeventuallyjoinasmembers.Wemeetevery1stand3rd Mondayofeverymonth.

I'm truly proud to present THE ECHO- ICC One Toastmaster Club's Newsletter March 2023 issue. As VPPR, I had an amazing learning experience: responsibilities,hurdlesandjoys.Ihavedevelopedmultipleskills. Special thanks to Chief Editor- TM Anthony Mascarenhas for his immense support.

-AshwiniSonawane VPPRICCOneToastmastersClub

EDITORIAL

T A B L E O F C O N T E N T

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

THE HAPPIEST SPRING OF MY LIFE

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ICC ONE TOASTMASTERS CLUB

Greetings and how are you all doing at this moment? Springishere Infactithasbeenaroundsincequitea fewdays.Ifyouhavenotbeenoverseeingexamination preparation of the children, or even if you have, it is timetotakeabreathingspaceforyourselfandenjoy.

Thisisourlastissueof‘TheEcho’undertheleadership of our President, TM Bhuvana Annaduari. The whole ExCom changes and ICC One marches forward, enrichedbyalltheexperiencesofthepast.

TherearemanyfestivalsassociatedwithSpring.Inthis issue of ‘The Echo’ we have covered some of them. Springcelebratesalsotheharvest.Thosewithgardens in Qatar, must have had an exciting time Yours truly had planted some pumpkin seeds, along with other vegetables. The results have been spectacular. Seven largepumpkins,someofwhichweretooheavytohold andposeforaphoto.Apparentlytheycanbekeptfor months and get sweeter as they mature Still wondering what to do with them Three or four are readytoeatandthreemorestillonthevine.

ThisisalsoSpringforusinICCOne

Hopefullywe too have become sweeter since the beginning of last year. One day it would be necessary to move on, but we would always look back fondly at the timewehavespenttogetherinthewarmsunshine andgloriouscompanyofeachother

President's Message

Yetanotherquarterhaspassedforme,asaPresidentof ICCOne IcanconfidentlysayIamaproudandbeaming President.Wehaveonceagainprovedthatwestaystrong andachievetogether.Recentcontestsandaccoladesare justwitnessestoproveourteamworkandhowwegrow together Westillhavealongroadaheadofus

We need to concentrate on our education and mentorship goals for the year. This is very important to place our club in a position it deserves. As all of you are aware,itisvitaltomarketandpositionourselvesonthe District platform “Branding” is very important in this agileworld Wehavedoneitinthepastandwewilldoit again!

I urge every member of ICC One family to keep up the synergy, focus on our goals and achievements for the nextquarter

Wishing all of us success and a great journey in Toastmasters.

ICC ONE TEAM'S ACHIEVEMENTS AT AREA-12 CONTEST

The Happiest Spring Of My Life

-DTMM.I.Farid FounderPresident,ICC-ONETMC

Spring in Qatar is March and April. I cannot forget theSpringof1980for3reasons:

1)Myfirstdaughterwasbornin1980 Thepleasure andjoyofyourfirst-borncannotbedescribed,but onlyexperienced!

Epictetus, the Roman Philosopher has said, "The pleasurewhichwemostrarelyexperiencegivesus greatestdelight"

Nomatterwhatpartoftheworld,nomatterwhat ethnicity or background, children are always a blessing. Children remind us that we need to play more,lovemore,laughmore,andthatweneedto neverstoplearning Theyremindusthatthefuture andwhatwefightfornow,isforthem You gain much-needed perspective, your compassionate side blossoms, and in many ways, youfinallygrowup.

2) I was given the opportunity to be a Director in thefirstFuturesTradingCompanyinQatar “Work hard, have fun, make history.” said Jeff Bezos,theFounderofAmazon.

This was a fantastic opportunity for me to learn something totally new Considering we worked with the Hong Kong, London and New York Exchanges,itgavemeagreatinsightintoForward Trading, the risks involved and how the market operates.

DTM M.I. Farid is the Founder President of ICC One Toastmasters Club. He joined Toastmasters in Qatar in the year 2003. He is a Distinguished Toastmaster twice over, acquiring the coveted title first in the year 2007 under the old system and then in January 2021 under the new Pathways. A qualified Chartered Accountant in Qatar since over 44 years, he is married with two daughters, a son and five grand-children. He was the Division-E Governor for the year 2007 -2008 and the District 20 Treasurer for the year 2008- 2009.

Plusofcourseitgavemeextramoney Nodoubt,I had to burn the midnight oil considering the time difference.

3) Unfortunately our Group Finance Director expired Iwaspromotedtothatposition–thatto attheageof28 Thiswasaverybigchallenge,asI was equated with two 50-year-plus Directors who naturallymademylifemiserable!

Maya Angelou, the American popular poet, and civil rights activist has said, “If you don’t like something, change it If you can’t change it, change your attitude.” That is exactly what I did and within a year I had developed an excellent rapport with the other Senior Directors. I can proudly say my owners were more than pleased with their decision to give me the added responsibility.

I finally leave you with an advise from Oprah Winfrey, the American Talk Show Host, actress, author and philanthropist, “Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never,everhaveenough.”

Vasant Ritu

Our home country India, is full of culture and heritage It experiences six different seasons, namelySpring:VasantRitu,Summer:GrishmaRitu, Monsoon: Varsha Ritu, Autumn: Sharad Ritu, PreWinter: Hemant Ritu, and Winter: Shishir Ritu. Today I am going to tell you more about Vasant Ritu

The term Vasant Ritu is full of blooming flowers, reinforcingcolorsandfragrantlythickandhealthy trees IguessalloverIndiaitwouldbethebestand thebusiestmonthforallourworkhorsefarmers

The happiness, contentment and satisfaction and onecanseeontheirfacesisjustoutoftheworld.I willinmyessaytellyouaboutthenorthernspring season.

Just as in beautiful scenery, the young generation attempts to draw and color the same is the northern picture of the spring season With the colorful pictures of this month in the background, the north Indians celebrate the vibrant festival of VasantPanchami.

Theseasonisasspiritedasthevibeofthefestival Thisfestivalmarksthestartingofspring.Everyone innorthIndiaisdressedinyelloworbrightyellow, thereforethisisthefirstrepresentationofthehighspiritedfestival

TM Alina is probably the youngest Toastmaster in ICC One. A psychologist and teacher by profession, she is currently living since the past three years in Qatar with her parents and siblings. An extrovert, she likes to make new friends. She shows her absorption and love for the younger generation thus, she likes to teach grades 1 and 2. Her hobbies are watching TV shows and traveling, as adventure runs like blood in her veins. She also likes to keep her education running as it makes her feel active and she enjoys doing it.

Sweets are distributed to everyone, I guess this is the only thing North Indians do not discriminate against.Well,thatwasajoke,weNorthIndiansdo not really believe in discrimination. Along with yellow dresses people decorate their house with yellowflowers

With the decoration, Indian Hindus pray to their goddess Saraswati. Thus, it is also known as Saraswati Puja in honor of goddess Saraswati In NorthIndiaVasantPanchamimarksthebeginning ofthemostendearingseasonoutofthe6different seasons.

It is a pleasant and beautiful season with an average temperature of 32 degree centigrade It startsafterthewinterandlaststillsummerstarts. The day becomes longer and nights become shorterinthisseason.

Thepeoplecomeoutoftheirblanketsandwoolen clothes and start wearing light clothes They are filled with excitement and happiness. The tree shedtheirleaves,newleavesstartappearing. Birdsandanimalsalsolovethisseason.Theystart chirping, singing and butterflies start hovering overtheflowers Besidesthis,manyfamousHindu festivalsarecelebratedinthisseasonsuchasHoli, VasantPanchami,GudiPadwa,Baisakhi,Hanuman Jayanti,andmore.

Hello Alina , It is hard to say Good Bye. Though you have stayed with us only for a couple of months, you left a big impact on us. You were always ready to extend your support in every possible occasion. Will always remember your stunning speech and beautiful smile. We would have expected to hear more speeches from you. It is fine, we will definitely meet somewhere. As you move forward in life and to a different land of dreams, we wish you a great & enriching journey ahead. We will miss you!

Wishing you a Happy Married Life.

-BhuvanaAnnadurai, President

TMAlinaKhan

Renewal and Reminiscence: The Nostalgia of Spring

M Shad Kaisar hails from the ‘Steel City’ of mshedpur in India. He lives in Qatar with his wins - a daughter & son and his wife. He is part of e QatarEnergy IT department. In his free time like reading books.

TMShadKaisar

Spring is a season that is often associated with renewal, growth, and new beginnings. For many people, the arrival of spring brings feelings of nostalgiaandlongingforthebeautyandsimplicity of this season. The season of spring is not only markedbythechangingoftheweather,butalsoby thechangingofouremotionsandmemories.

Oneofthereasonswhyspringissonostalgicisthat it is a time of renewal and growth After the long, dark days of winter, spring brings new life and energy to the world. The days get longer, the weathergetswarmer,andtheworldisawashwith colorasflowersandtreesbloom

This natural renewal is a reminder of the cycle of lifeandthebeautyofnature.Itremindsusthatjust like nature, we too have the ability to start anew and rejuvenate ourselves. Spring serves as a reminder that with every passing season, we have theopportunitytogrowandevolve.

Anotherreasonwhyspringissonostalgicisthatit isatimeofnewbeginnings.Astheworldawakens from its winter sleep, many people feel a sense of hope and optimism for the future The arrival of spring is a reminder that no matter how difficult the past may have been, there is always the possibilityofanewbeginning.

This is a time of year when people often set new goalsandmakeplansforthefuture,andthesense ofpossibilitythatcomeswiththiscanbeincredibly nostalgic. It is a reminder that we can start fresh andmakenewmemories.

For many people, the nostalgia of spring is also connected to memories of the past. The sights, sounds,andsmellsofspringcantriggermemories of childhood, of playing outside, of going on picnics, and of spending time with family and friends.Thesememoriescanbringbackfeelingsof warmth, love, and innocence that can be hard to find in adult life It reminds us of the simple joys andcarefreedaysofourchildhood

Additionally, spring is often associated with cultural and religious events. In many cultures, spring is a time of celebration and festivals For example,inIndia,springiscelebratedwithVasant Panchami, Holi, Gudi Padwa, Ugadi, Gangaur, Baisakhi, Bihu, Kavant, Shigmo, Easter and many others. These cultural celebrations add to the nostalgiaofspring,astheyremindusofourshared experiencesandtraditions.

In conclusion, Spring is a season that holds a special place in our hearts and memories. It is a time of renewal, growth, and new beginnings that evokefeelingsofnostalgiaandlonging.Itreminds us of the beauty of nature, the possibility of new beginnings, and the memories of our past. It is a season that holds a special significance in our heartsandminds,andonethatwewillalwayshold dear.

Thecarnival isactuallyaglobalphenomenonwhichisa synopsisforafeteofindulgencetodine,drink,dressand dance InGoa,Indiaittakesplacebeforecommencementof theChristianfastingmonthofLent

ThefirstcarnivalfloatinGoawasonabullock-cartandwas introducedbyTimothinoFernandes,whowasalsoknownas theFatherofGoanCarnival. Thecoloursusedareredand blackinanycombinationandwouldsignifyfestivityand vibrancebeforetherepentance.

Thisfestivalpersonifiessatireandmockerythroughaunique character- the King Momo. A derivative from the Greek mythology - God Momos is considered to be of a tall stout stature, vibrant and rich. He and his consorts are chosen fromamongthelocals.Hispresenceconfirmsthebeginning on the festivities. For the four days of the carnival, King Momo is considered the highest authority. He comes riding on a humongous float with simple instructions - non stop eating,drinkingandmerrymaking!

The parade is a portrait of cultural Goa, as folk dancers depictscenesthatarerelatedtothehistoryofGoaaswellas tocurrentaffairs.FestivitiesarepresidedoverbyKingMomo. Thereareballsintheevenings,concludingwiththepopular RedandBlackDance.

ItstartsonaSaturdayandlastuptoTuesday

EachGoan city organizes floats on days allotted to them from Mapusa, Margoa, Vasco and Panjim Vasco being the navalbaseproudlyorganizeasolitaryNavyfloat

Every year thousands of people flock into Goa to relive andexperiencethetraditionsthathavebeenhappening sincePortuguesetimesexuberantrigorouscelebrations

*PhotosbyAnthonyMascarenhasat2023Carnival,Mapusa,Goa

InterestingThemesofICCOneClubMeetings!