MEMORIESOFNESHIKUMARA,DTM

"I joined Toastmasters to inspire my children and then to meet new people from various streamsoflife.SlowlyasIproceededinToastmasters,Istartedtounderstandmystrengths, correct my weaknesses, and enjoyed the responsibilities. As a result, slowly but steadily I learned the dynamics in it, and I could project myself as someone who can be dependable. Toastmasters approached me with various doubts, and I would answer them with patience, implementingmyprinciplefrommycollegedays"

Theabovewordsarefrom,LateNeshiKumarA,DTMandourDistrict116Toastmastershavealot totalkabouthim.

I have known late Neshi Kumaralmostfromthetime he joined Toastmasters From the beginning he showed interest to learn every aspects of Toastmasters.

He is one of the few Toastmasters who go beyond their club and support others at the early stage of their Toastmasters journey. He masteredthepathwaysverywellandoneofthe very first Toastmasters to master online contests.

WhenIwasClubGrowthDirector,hehelpedthe district by visiting new clubs and educating them on pathways. When I was the Program QualityDirector(PQD),hewasinmyPQDteam and supported PQD activities extremely well andespeciallyonPQDAwards.WhenIwasthe District Director he served as Area 15 director and actively performed as an Area Director. Duringthattime,wealmostlostMegchianione Toastmasters Club. But he came up with completelynewstrategytoretaintheclub.His effortspaidoffwell.

IsawhimasafearlessToastmasterwhoknows minute details of Toastmasters and always wanted to ensure we follow best practices. Neshi left us so early. May his soul Rest in Eternal Peace. I am sure and I wish that he watchsandguidehisyoungfamilytoprosper.

Thayalan, DTM

I remember my first interaction with my dear friend,NeshiKumar Hewas a modest but enthusiastic personality, one who could gel with any individual at anylevelandahelpfulhand in any situation Over the years it was this sublime character of his that I admired and respected.

We all are interested in Toastmasters, but Neshi, he was passionate. He would spend hours together on the Toastmasters website and keep updating his knowledge about Toastmasters. Every time I met him, he had something new to share and encouraged me also to explore more. Once I called him to enquire about pathways mentoring. He patiently helped me navigate through the Toastmasters website, browse through the huge video library, and guided me to the specific video He said he had watched all the videos! That day our conversation about Toastmastersresourceslastedformorethan2 hours

At the end of it, my admiration for his dedication and commitment was at all-time high.He believed in mentoring and supported the cause by setting an example. He was a mentor to so many Toastmasters, as motivationheencouragedmanyotherstotake upthePathwaysMentorProgram.

The impact my friend has on me is a lasting one Iwishandpraythatthedepartedsoulrest in peace. Gone from sight, but never from my heart.

Azeez Muhammed

ImetNeshiforthefirsttime in 2017 when he visited KEF Toastmasters Club as a guest My interaction during the break was very formal. We introduced ourselves andthat'sit

Over the next 5 years my relationship with Neshi grew. Whatever task assigned to him or whatever roles he took up in the Club, Area or Divisionlevels, heexcelled Itwasnotasurprise that he won the Division Q Oryx Award for OutstandingToastmasterin2018&DistrictArea Director Award in 2021 He went on to become AreaDirectorin2020&DivisionDirectorin2022.

What I'm impressed with Neshi is his positive attitudetowardseverythinghedid.WhenImet him for the last time in September 2022 at HamadMedicalCorporation(HMC),justbeforeI leftQatarandfewweeksbeforeNeshileftus,I was so happy to see his optimism & hope of returningtonormallifeaftertreatmentatHMC andstandingforDistrict116CGDelection, this year.Hehadaroadmapforhisleadeshiproles till District 116 Director. He also spoke to me aboutstartinganewToastmastersClubatHMC fortheDoctors.

That was the level of his positive thinking Listeningtoallthese,Iwasveryconfidentthat hewillcomeoutofthedifficultsituationhewas in It was very unfortunate that we lost such a youngleaderwhohadmadesuchabigimpact on the lives of thousands of Toastmasters and EngineersinQatar.Thoughphysicallyheisnot withus,wecannotforgettheeversmilingface ofourdearNeshi,ever.

As told by Ninav, Neshi's son: We are proud of what he did during his short life and will keep himandhisfamilyinourprayers.

Raghavan Menon, DTM

Leading from the front, Encouraging one and all, Gone but not forgotten, Alwaystheretolendahand, Charming smile, Yeoman service to the D116 fraternity.

Neshi Kumar, DTM was a man, who I believe wasbehindthescenesmostofthetimes,infact I only saw him deliver a few speeches, that is because he was always there to give others a platform and a push. I will admit that I wasn’t closetohimbutthetimeswemet,hewasthere positivelypushingToastmastersforward Neshi youwillbemissedandyourlegacyhardtofill. Resteasymyfriend!

Neshi Kumar, whom I had the pleasure of meetingduringmyearlydaysatToastmasters, was truly an exceptional individual. He was a shiningexampleofagreatleaderandsomeone who had a genuinely kind heart. What stuck outtomewashisunwaveringcommitmentto his work and his ability to always maintain a smile on his face. Meeting someone like Neshi was an unforgettable experience, and I feel grateful for the opportunity to have crossed pathswithhim.Theimpacthehadonmeand otherswillundoubtedlybelong-lasting.

MEMORIESOFNESHIKUMAR,DTM

I first met Neshi Kumar in one of the club meetings of KEF Toastmasters in 2016 He had attended it as a guest on invitation from a KEF Toastmasters member ToastmasterPadmarajan.

Bothofthemwerecollegebuddies.Inthenext meeting, Neshi joined the club and I was assigned to support him as his mentor. I mentored him in a couple of his initial speeches.Butsoontherewasarolereversal.He pickedupsofastthatinayear’stimeheknew muchmorethanmeaboutToastmasters.Later, I started consulting him, whenever I was in doubt.

Neshi Kumar had played an important role in my Toastmasters journey. When I was the Area 15 Director, Neshi had contributed immensely in the formation of North Star Toastmasters Club. He had assisted the Executive committee of KBPN Toastmasters Club to become President’s Distinguished Club Later, he had alsohelpedmeinconductingtheAreaContest.

Wehavesharedsomuchthroughtheyearsand I’mherenowtosharetheweightofhisloss.He has left us but it’s hard to say goodbye and even harder when it’s to someone like Neshi Kumar. He was one-of-a-kind and will be missedforever

Thinkingofyou,dearNeshi

PRTRAININGSERIES-2 PRTRAININGSERIES-2

WhatisLegacy?

It is the long-lasting impact of particular events, actions, etc. that took place in the past, or of a person’slife.

GreatpeoplehavedifferentviewsonLegacy.

I quote the successful business tycoon Ratan Tata, “Apart from values and ethics which I have tried to live by, the legacy I would like to leave behind is a very simple one - that I have always stood up for what I consider to be the right thing, and I have tried to be as fair and equitableasIcouldbe.”

In contrast we have another successful businesstycoonBillGateswhosays,“Legacyis astupidthing!Idon'twantalegacy”

Well!Well!Well!

I can definitely say Dr.Ralph C.Smedley has a leftalegacyforallhumanityofgivingtheman opportunity to improve their Communication andLeadershipSkills–THETOASTMASTERS!

Havingbeen45plusyearsinQatarIdidasoul searchandrealizedthatinmyownsmallwayI haveleftcertainlegaciesinQatar.

1

Being a Founder Member of the Doha Chapter of Chartered Accountants of India (1st Overseas Chapter of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India)

2.

BeingaFounderMemberof

The Ideal Indian school

The Delhi Public School

The DPS Monarch international School

The Savithri Phule Pune University

Been the District 79 Treasurer of TMI

Started THE QATAR TALKS speech competitions.

OntheSocialside- 1

Being a Founder Member of Indian Community Benevolent Forum

Being a Past President of the Indian Cultural Centre

Being a Member of Indian Business Professional Council

Raised funds for Charitable causes through the Qatar Red Crescent Society

1.

OntheSportingside

Started Hardball Cricket B Division

Started Softball Cricket – the Qatar Veterans Cricket League

The only reason for listing the above (not blaring my own trumpet) is to encourage everybody especially the youngsters to get involved, take up responsibilities, think out of theboxandleavealegacy!

IleaveyouwithaquotefromKevinCostner,the American actor, producer, film director and musician,“Westandourbestchanceofleaving a legacy to those who want to learn, our children, by standing firm. In matters of style, hey, swing with the stream. But in matters of principle,youneedtostandlikearock.”