Communicate 98 - December 2015 Edition

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COMMUNICATE 98 | DECEMBER 2015

FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK ‘Just when I think I have learned the way to live, life changes.’

– Hugh Prather Toastmasters is a constant journey of self discovery.

Right from the first project of the Competent Communication Manual, to the last one, we are constantly discovering ourselves. We take on roles of leadership and we are amazed at our talent to lead. We complete advance projects and reach what we think is the pinnacle of success by getting the coveted title of DTM. What next? Is there any higher we can go? No but we can always start from the beginning again! Rediscover different ways of attempting the projects. Along the way our evaluators have done yeomen’s service by telling us what was good and not so good about our speech.

We can incorporate all those suggestions and make a great speech. Somewhere we make a breakthrough. Our confidence regained we surge ahead and stride like a Colossus on the podium. We now no longer look for title and badges to felicitate us. Instead we take on the role of a mentor gently guiding the new toastmasters in their journey. We become true service leaders.

This spirit of helping, leading and educating was amply displayed in the Semi Annual Conference held at Hyderabad. This same spirit will be displayed again and again to validate Ralph C. Smedley’s words: "Ours is the only organization I know dedicated to the individual, we work together to bring out the best in each of us and then we apply these skills to help others."

In this issue we have shown you just what else Toastmasters are very good at. These intrepid people probably take the discipline, the time value and the communication skills that Toastmasters teach and apply them to their own passions and interests. And in turn they bring the aesthetics of their hobbies to Toastmasters and create a marriage of magic.

Beena Mandrekar Newsletter Editor, District 98 As we end one season of contests and carry home our trophy we are simultaneously preparing for another season of table topics and International speech contest. Featured in this issue are a few tips on how best to tackle Table Topics.

You will find the spirit of Christmas reflected in this issue and the various ways our toastmasters celebrate to make their Christmas Merry! So, what is the Christmas spirit? It is caring for another, taking time to be present with one another, giving of ourselves, expecting, believing and receiving magic.

Cherish and nurture this spirit within your heart, remember all the things to be jolly for and give to other people more than to yourself. Give a heartfelt smile because you are in Toastmasters.

‘Christmas doesn't come from a store, maybe Christmas perhaps means a little bit more....’

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Dr. Seuss 2

COMMUNICATE 98 | DECEMBER 2015

CONTENTS

Features

13 COVER

Christmas– A Gift And A Challenge SYONA FERNANDES

ICG Toastmasters Club

Articles

6 VETERANS TALK

Turning The CAN’Ts into CANs CHANDRASHEKAR DP, DTM

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Program Quality Director

Goa Celebrates Christmas

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COLIN SAVIO COELHO

Toastmasters International Margao

Let Us Take Control Of Our Mind TANUSHREE SHAW

Avalara Technologies Toastmasters Club

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Toastmasters In Indore

DISTRICT 98 CORE

PANKAJ KOTHARI

Know Your Leaders

District Parliamentarian

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New Year Resolution

TEAM

MOHAN KARAMBELKAR

Communicate 98

DCP Manager

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COMMUNICATE 98 | DECEMBER 2015

CONTENTS

12 Every Picture Tells A Story NISHANT MEHTA

District Finance Manager

16 Table Topics DISHA DAVE

TCS BE@T Gandhinagar

10 The Photographer Who Looks Inward

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REEBA GEORGE

My Offbeat Bibliophilia

Thomson Reuters Mumbai Toastmasters Club

MEENAL BALE

GOA YMCA Toastmasters Club

3 ways to be connected with your

District 98 on the GO !

Follow us on

@d98tm Facebook ‘district98’ Twitter

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

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COMMUNICATE 98 | DECEMBER 2015

CONTENTS

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A Dancer to a Toastmaster

In Love With The Sea

AISHWARYA CHANDRASEKARAN

GABRIELLE D'CRUZ

GOA YMCA Toastmasters Club

Genesis Toastmasters Club

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Change Is In Your Hands

The Talented Mr. Rawal

RADHIKA MAHAJANAM

PRAFULLATA RODE

Elan Toastmasters Hyderabad

Nagpur Toastmasters Club

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Jingle bells Jingle bells Laxminagar Jingle all the way!

PRASAD PENDYALA MINAZ VOHRA

Oracle Hyderabad Toastmasters

TCS BE@T Gandhinagar

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Rethinking The Club Leadership

Tricks to Face Table Topics

RON BILLIMORIA

BEENA MANDREKAR

Agnel Toastmasters Club

Toastmasters Club of Pune North West

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 www.d98tm.in

connect@d98tm.in

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TURNING THE CAN’Ts INTO CANs

COMMUNICATE 98 | DECEMBER 2015

CONFLUENCE 2015, the first semi -annual conference of Dist 98 was all about turning our CAN’Ts into CANs.

involved maximum members (a whopping 700+ registrations) across major cities like Mumbai, Pune, Goa, Ahmedabad, Indore, Vizag and Hyderabad. In addition, the conference saw participation from other districts across the Toastmasters globe such as from Dist 41, Dist 92, Dist 82 and some more Districts form the Middle East & Japan.

In my concluding remarks at Hyderabad, I mentioned that when we embarked on the journey to put together the district's first conference, we were faced with 3 questions as follows:

Secondly, #Mymoment was not merely a conference theme hash tag; it was a manifestation of the participants’ mood right through the conference. The personalized name tags on the seats in the auditorium for each delegate at Confluence, the customized registration kit with handpicked souvenirs of the Pearl City, the warm hospitality to ensure that every need of every member was catered to, all this demonstrated that the member was certainly at the core.

1. Can we put together a conference that involves maximum members from across the new District 98?

Thirdly, the price was a key factor in putting together this conference. Offering an affordable price with amazing value was the challenge that we were faced with. We ended up offering the conference at INR1000/- The value proposition was taken care of by the Keynote speech from Face book India - Head, Education Session by Md. Qahtani - WCPS 2015, Knowledge Sessions by Padmashree Ananda Shankar Jayanth and Dr. Sandeep Shastri, Humorous Speech & Speech Evaluation Contests, Awards Night, D98 productions and more.

Chandrashekar DP, DTM Program Quality Director

2.

Can we ensure that a member becomes and remains the main focus at the conference?

3.

Can we deliver the conference at an affordable price with amazing value?

Today, as we look at the Conference on hindsight, the answer to all three questions is a big YES. Firstly, we indeed put together a conference which

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COMMUNICATE 98 | DECEMBER 2015

Contd...

Chandrashekar DP, DTM Program Quality Director

There is however more to a conference. Confluence, I believe has truly represented the core values of Toastmasters International. – Respect, Integrity, Service, and Excellence.

Holding the flag of Integrity high, at this conference the financial figures were for you to see and really know about. You now know how much money we collected, how much we spent, and how much we have sitting pretty in the pocket saved for you. With this clarity, Confluence has taken the lead to testify how transparency is not only possible but also the most efficient means to meet any requirement.

Whether you are an individual leading at the club, area, division, district level, or beyond, transparency opens doors to possibilities at any level through one’s journey as a Toastmaster.

The other three values Respect, Service, and Excellence have also been established and demonstrated at Confluence by each participating member. More so by two people, conference convener Srinidhi Dasaka and co-convener Sneha Modukuri, who worked from start to finish and are still enjoying the #mymoment hangover. Kudos to them for leading a team of more than a 150 volunteers and offering a memorable experience to the 700+ participants.

I take pride in being a Toastmaster and I take more pride in being a part of District 98 which promises to hold the values of Toastmasters, forever high.

2gether we are 100% and 2gether we CAN!

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COMMUNICATE 98 | DECEMBER 2015

TOASTMASTERS IN INDORE

Brillian SK, DTM District Director District Parliamentarian TM Pankaj Kothari from

This talk focused on expressing effectively by letting

Indore invited District Director Brillian SK to

your LIPS talk - the golden acronym i.e. LISTEN, Stop

address the Transcendence Toastmasters club and

IMITATING, PERSONALISE and tell your STORY.

amidst a large gathering and a whole host of

He also said that the best form of expression is story

invitees, the press and few dignitaries, TM Brillian

telling. Most of the renowned communicators and

spoke about self expression.

leaders are great storytellers. He himself is known for

The entire press release is included below and TM

his style of justifying his points with anecdotes.

Pankaj Kothari sent us a clipping.

In the beginning the speaker was given a floral

“Golden Acronym for Expressing Self is LIPS”

welcome by District Parliamentarian TM CA Pankaj Kothari. Welcome speech was given by Club President

– Dr. Brillian S. K.

TM Debahooti Basu. Guest was introduced by VP TM Most of us get carried away by what others have done. So much so that we tend to imitate them with a view to impress.

CA Poonam Patni. Vote of thanks was proposed by Gavel member Harshit Khandelwal. Master of Ceremony was TM Bhushan Sarmandal.

This was shared by Dr. Brillian S. K, a Distinguished Toastmaster and currently the head of Toastmas-

Contributed by Pankaj Kothari

ters program of District 98 covering MP to Hydera-

District Parliamentarian

bad in a talk organized by Transcendence Toastmasters Club. Dr. Brillian is an avid speaker and an HR professional and a trainer based in Mumbai.

He elaborated his thoughts by adding that Self expression needs us to introspect, listen to our

“After nourishment, shelter and companionship, stories are the thing we need most in the world.”

hearts and play to the audience at the same time.

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– Phillip Pullman

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LET US TAKE CONTROL OF OUR MIND

COMMUNICATE 98 | DECEMBER 2015

‘A Calm mind brings inner strength and self-confidence, so that's very important for good health .’

– Dalai Lama It is a common complaint of most people that they do not have time for themselves. This in turn creates various tensions in their day to day life. It is important therefore to sit in a quiet place and spend time with oneself. Our mind has three layers – the conscious, sub conscious and the unconscious mind. We are aware of the conscious, but unaware of the other two layers. Most of the time we are controlled by our mind.

On the other hand we can drive our mind if we try to in any particular way we wish. If we do that then we can solve most of the tensions and problems in our life. Now, the question is: how can we control our mind? Sometimes we may have some goals or dreams in our life that we want to achieve; sometimes we want to reduce any of our bad habits. These all can be resolved by techniques of mind control.

Tanushree Shaw Avalara Technologies Toastmasters Club Step 6: Your mind is in a calm state. This is the time when you can commit something to yourself and it will be followed by your mind.

Step 7: Try to feel that you are a cheerful person and try to look at yourself in a future situation where you don’t feel anger for anything. Enjoy the moment by feeling it.

Step 8: Be in this state for 10-15 min. Then slowly come out and continue to breathe deeply.

Step 9: Slowly open your eyes.

To control anger Step 1: Sit in a comfortable posture in a silent place in your house. (dim light) Step 2: Close your eyes and relax your entire body.

Step 3: Take a deep breath that means the air must flow into your lungs.

Step 4: Move your awareness from top of the head to bottom of the foot without moving any part of your body.

Step 5: You will not feel movement in any part of your body.

If you repeat this process frequently, you can see changes in you in future. But, you have to completely trust yourself. Likewise, you can perform this process for any matter that disturbs you.

All that we are is the result of what we have thought. The mind is everything. What we think we become.”-

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– Buddha

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COMMUNICATE 98 | DECEMBER 2015

THE PHOTOGRAPHER WHO LOOKS INWARD As a Piscean, Reeba George is the zodiac's dreamer, who sees the world through a kaleidoscopic viewfinder. She would rather present to the world a luminous vision of her mind's eye, leaving everyone spellbound in the aftermath. She often worries that she looks like a turtle, carrying her camera equipment on her back, but no matter her physical appearance, she possesses a radiant inner beauty best described as "angelic." She is the official and unofficial photographer at toastmasters. Cameo shots and portraits are her fortẽ.

Compassionate to the core, she couldn't turn away a

BEYOND TOASTMASTERS

stray animal if her life depended on it. Being the most

Reeba George Thomson Reuters Mumbai Toastmasters Club

sensitive of all water signs, she absorbs energy like a sponge, often weighed down by its burden. She is a one woman guide to the lost and lonely, the centre

Homeless families, without food and clothes Young children crawling on shattered elbows.

of everything spiritual. Her gifts are poetic imagina-

A bleeding husband a wailing wife

tion, compassion and boundless generosity. Here

The agony and pain, strike like a knife.

then is a little preview of her abundant talent: Oh I forget to realize… How blessed I am!

How Blessed I Am

Today I’m here, tomorrow another program Office and meeting and family and friends,

Thank you Almighty for my family all good

Travelling n shopping n weddings to attend,

I should be more grateful I know I should.

Busy and stressed with my daily schedule, Hold me in your hands close to your heart

I forget to realize….How blessed I am

Protect me from disaster and show me my part, One day I paused and thought for a while,

Give me reason to smile each day,

The life I live is so very fragile,

Give me pain to find my way.

For the air I breathe, I never thank God, Give me friends to support and share,

For the food I eat…oh how flawed.

To solve all my problems without a care.

When I travel, and go out to so many lands

So I don’t feel guilty and don’t feel jammed,

I see: men without legs woman without hands,

And then I know how blessed I am!

An orphan child, old people on streets, An ailing father; a son discrete.

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COMMUNICATE 98 | DECEMBER 2015

Contd...

Reeba’s Work

BEYOND TOASTMASTERS

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COMMUNICATE 98 | DECEMBER 2015

EVERY PICTURE TELLS A STORY Everyone loves to study people. Studying people is an art and is quite different from judging people. I do not judge people, as nobody is perfect. I always love to study all the different personalities, types and kinds of people, with whom I interact. It helps me to be kind of prepared to face them.

It all started when I had a random chat with a stranger on Facebook. Being a tarot reader for many years now, I am always curious to know about the people for whom I read the cards. I want to study them, understand and know more about them. Looks can be deceptive, but some time or the other one can surely see the real face of anyone. This desire to study faces led me to become a Professional Picture Analyser and I realised that, I was and still am, the only one in the entire world who has mastered this skill.

For me to do a picture analysis, I just need two pictures of the person – One Close up and One Full Picture. The Picture has to be clear and not blurred.

Second requirement is that the person should be chatting with me on Whatsapp or Hike or any social chat. It helps me to see how far I am being correct in analysing the person. It really does not make much difference to me whether the picture is latest or old or in a traditional attire or western outfit or in fashion poses.

With this process of Picture Analysis, I can analyse a person’s nature, characteristics, likes and dislikes, state of mind, thought process, things about the past and predictions about their future.

Nishant Mehta District Finance Manager are wrong. In face reading, generally, one meets people face to face and reads. But Picture Analysing is different. I have never met any of the persons for whom I have done picture analysis.

My confidence as a Picture analyser was boosted by the sheer fact that I did my analysing for strangers, and here are a few testimonials I got from them.

Many a times, people make a mistake of considering Picture Analysis and Face Reading as similar. But they

“Hi everyone,

I just did an amazing session with Nishant and he was very accurate with my life. I genuinely think everyone should try it out. It's fabulous how he can say everything about one just with their picture.

Even I did a session with Nishant and he was really very much accurate with my life. I don't know how can a person can be so accurate about anyone by just seeing a picture...I think one should try his or her luck so maybe even u can get the right answers of the questions u have unsolved from long. Thanks Nishant.

- Simran”

- Tejal Vasa”

“Hi everyone,

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CHRISTMAS– A GIFT AND A CHALLENGE

COMMUNICATE 98 | DECEMBER 2015

Christmas is a feast that is celebrated all over

Through this gift,

the world. It is a joyous time of the year filled with

God has made it

wonder and excitement and all one can think of dur-

possible for us to

ing the celebration of Christmas is:

find him here on

-

Christmas trees, candy canes, baubles, mis-

earth – in our own

tletoe, bells, gift boxes, wreaths, garlands, stars,

lives, in the life of

snowflakes, stockings, snowmen, tinsel, candy, rein-

another person, in

deer and the most beloved - Santa Claus. Christmas is

our families, at

incomplete without Santa Claus.

our work plac-

-

Cleaning the house inside out. But can we

clean the Stable (our mind), strengthen the roof (guard against all temptations) and burn the hay (of pride, anger, envy) and prepare the Manger (our

Syona Fernandes ICG Toastmasters Club

es, in our neighborhood, in our society, in places of worship and so on. The greatest gift of Christmas is that we can find God in all our earthly relationships and in our daily routine life.

hearts) with soft straw (of love, joy and happiness)

However, this gift of Christmas involves a Challenge.

and shine brightly like the light of the star?

If God becomes a human person and shows us the

This year Christmas can be celebrated as a Gift and a

importance of a human person then every human

Challenge.

person needs to be respected.

People’s perception of God was someone who was

If God is present in all our relationships – in our

Holy and stayed in Heaven. But the birth of Jesus

homes, at workplace, in the society, then every rela-

Christ, also known as ‘Emmanuel, which means ‘God

tionship needs to be respected. This respect may

with us’ proved that God was intimately connected

sound ordinary but it’s this element which is abused

with our lives by becoming a human person himself.

and then Christmas becomes an illusion and loses its

This is the greatest gift that God could give us by be-

meaning. Christmas challenges us to find God’s gift in

coming one like us.

every relationship by respecting every human person in our lives.

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COMMUNICATE 98 | DECEMBER 2015

NEW YEAR RESOLUTION Now that we are at the end of 2015, we

Measurable:

look back with wonder, some joy and a

the progress. All Distinguished Program

little regret at the year gone by. We

goals are measurable (projects, number

firmly decide to plan better for the

of educational titles, membership num-

coming year and make the ubiquitous

ber) and

Resolutions. Soon we forget about them and forgive ourselves. Accord-

This is important to check

can be planned and moni-

tored.

ing to research at University of Scran-

Mohan Karambelkar DTM Meaningful to you: The goal should be DCP Manager

ton, only a tiny percentage (8%) is

your initiative and should not be an im-

able to keep their resolutions. There is a SMART solu-

posed task. An example of inappropriate goal could

tion for keeping resolutions and achieving results. We

be “My manager asked me to join Toastmasters and

can practice it in Toastmasters with the Distinguished

is insisting to complete CC.”

Club Program (DCP) and Distinguished Area/ Division/

Action-oriented:

District Program.

Actions are your participation in

Toastmasters meeting. A goal like ‘become a confi-

SMART is an acronym and there are two of them.

First acronym is Specific, Measurable, Actionoriented, Realistic and Time-bound. Second acronym is Simple, Meaningful to you, As if now, Responsible,

dent speaker’ is not action-oriented and measurable.

As if now: This is to express in present tense. When a toastmaster decides that he will complete Competent Communicator by 30 June, this leads to thinking that

Towards what you want.

he has time till 30 June and he delays the projects till Here is how this SMART formula works

Specific:

deadline to generate stress. Finally he may not able to

Distinguished program goals are well de-

fined at club/ area/division/ district. Clubs have 10 goals (6 educational goals, 2 membership growth goals, 2 administrative goals). Members and executive committee work together to integrate members’ plan for achieving educational titles and learning into

complete.

Realistic: This is a feasibility check and availability of resources. For example, if a toastmaster wishes to use Professional Speaker Manual, it is necessary to have 20 minutes speech slots for this advanced manual.

Distinguished Club Program. Area/ Division/ District have goals related to membership renewals and

Responsible:

growth, club growth and DCP. Thus distinguished

A President needs to delegate DCP goals to members.

program gets integrated at each level.

He/ She should not blame the members or give excus-

Simple: It is good to define goals as well as actions in

Toastmasters must take responsibility.

es for members’ lack of commitment

simple words. Complexity and jargons can be

Time-bound: Every goal must be given a date for ac-

confusing. It should define what and not how. An

complishing it. Date should be assigned to goals and

example of incorrect action plan could be ‘Tm X to

related tasks with careful planning (earliest and latest

attempt project 5 with topic Z when Tm Y is the evaluator’.

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COMMUNICATE 98 | DECEMBER 2015

Contd... possible) and with due consideration of re-

Extend it to your New Year resolutions and also to your goals in professional and personal life.

sources and constraints.

As

American football player and coach Tom Landry says

Towards

what you want: This intends to give a

positive look and optimism. The example of an Incorrect goal is “To avoid failure by renewing minimum 8 members.”

We have six months to practice DCP goals of the

‘Setting a goal is not the main thing. It is deciding how you will go about achieving it and staying with that plan.’

current year. Apply SMART formula and achieve them.

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COMMUNICATE 98 | DECEMBER 2015

TABLE TOPICS All of us have been through the rigmarole of table

For example if the

topics. We have TM Disha Dave sharing with us a few

chit says ‘ I was so

entertaining Table Topics…

drunk at a party that I did some

1. Just Fantasize

strange A picture will be shown

on

the

screen

and

the

things’….then the person nominated has to add to it

candidate needs to fantasize about that picture and tell a story or explain what is going on but the story has to be far from reality and as imaginative as possi-

and then invite a buddy to add a twist.

ble.

4. Show your This is earth on its last day, it’s exploded and we are all thrown off into the universe.

We end up going through a black hole because of the force and realize we have ended up in 1947…

Disha Dave TCS BE@T Gandhinagar

Chops at Promoting a Flop.

Ask the audience to write the worst ever movie they have watched. Then invite a volunteer and ask him to pick a chit. For instance he picks a movie called

2. If you are a …

A Person needs to pick a chit from box and on that chit a mythical character’s name will be written. The Toastmaster has to play that character and act out all the traits.

For example: A vampire. If her favorite blood group

‘Himmatwala’. Now he has to praise the movie to

is A, B or just

the skies and convince the audience to go out and

the plain old universal O … The Famous men she has

watch it.

gone on dates with through all the years of her life

5. Clash of Characters

and so on.

Choose two candidates from the audience and ask

3. Nominate a Buddy

them to pick a chit. Inside the chit there will be

Ask the Audience to write any funny or silly incident.

Names of mismatched characters and the two of

One person has to be invited to pick a chit and read

them need to present a conversation. For example:

it and add his own story to it. Then he invites anoth-

Rakhee Sawant and Rahul Gandhi, or Alia Bhat and

er from the audience and asks him to give it a twist.

Shashi Tharoor

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COMMUNICATE 98 | DECEMBER 2015

MY OFFBEAT BIBLIOPHILIA You may call it fiction, I call it imagination. For you it may seem like a good old route of escape. For me, it is a whole new path to be explored. It may definitely sound corny when somebody says ‘I fell in love with that character’, but when you give it a second thought; it all seems to make perfect sense. The more you delve deeper, the more enchanted you get.

Every new book is a new story, well hopefully!

Now, I absolutely agree and respect the fact that not everybody is a Mills & Boon fan. My friends say that I read junk (referring to the so called ‘Modern Contemporary Indian Fiction’), but what they fail to understand is, that my fascination does not lie with the design on the cover page, nor is it limited to the tag of the author; although once upon a time in teenageland, I used to be a huge fan of Chetan Bhagat, and coincidently I also happen to own all the books published by Durjoy Dutta. Yeah! The cute dimpled hunk with long book titles! But none the less, what I predominantly prefer reading, is offbeat books.

Visualize this: you are at the airport, waiting for your flight, sleep deprived, eyelids drooping and almost on the verge of falling off your seat, when you forcibly trudge into the nearest bookstore and frantically flip through random books until you land on that one

Meenal Bale GOA YMCA Toastmasters Club short description that fails to block that tiny sly grin from creeping onto your already smirking lips. Now that is my kind of book! The one that makes tiny goose bumps creep onto my skin; either due to the nostalgia of a happy memory or an ambiguous moment of fear that I happen to re-live in that one fraction of a second.

Or simply because it makes absolutely no sense! Because after you have managed to ignore all the fatal grammatical errors and you finally push yourself to finish it because it was your decision to purchase it in the first place, a certain sense of achievement seems to overpower you, leaving you in a happy high for days to come.

The only way I can explain the above emotion is by citing examples that may be you could later Google.

‘Riot’ by Shashi Tharoor, ‘Ladies Coupe’ – Anita Nair, ‘Beautiful Thing’ – Sonia Faleiro, and the one that makes me smile every single time is ‘F?@K KNOWS’

by Shailendra Singh.

So yes, I am indeed versatile!

Until I get to rave about another offbeat book, Toodles! www.d98tm.in

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COMMUNICATE 98 | DECEMBER 2015

IN LOVE WITH THE SEA Its 7.30 pm as the sun sets over Shark Bay. The boat idles over the cool blue water that turns darker with the disappearing sun. My heart beats faster as I try very hard to calm down. I

BEYOND TOASTMASTERS

check my flashlight, which will by my only guide for the next hour; it flickers to life. The boat begins to sway as the wind rocks it gently. I walk to the edge of the boat. I can see the liquid abyss below me as my throat goes dry.

‘No time to lose… jump!’ comes a voice from behind me. I turn my flashlight on and jump into the cold and

Gabrielle D'Cruz GOA YMCA Toastmasters Club

unwelcoming water. I sink and bubbles surround me.

My trusty flashlight shines through the water and I breathe deep through my air supply. I did it. I've just

Corals are present in only 0.2 percent of our oceans

begun my first night dive and I cant stop grinning

and are responsible for the nurturing of 25% of all our

with delight.

marine life. That’s an incredible role to play in main-

That was my first day on Koh Tao, a tiny 21 square kilometer island in the middle of the Gulf of Thailand.

I spent the next two months on the Island on an internship with New Heaven Dive School where I learned the basics of coral ecology and how to construct an artificial coral reef. Every day was a brand new adventure. New dive sites with their coral gar-

taining the health of the oceans. Coral reefs are being damaged the world over due to human intervention. The most serious is coral bleaching due to the increase in ocean temperature. Other damage includes breakage of corals due to boat anchors as well as removal of coral from reefs for the jewelry and live rock trade.

dens, new people with their crazy stories, new food

While humans have an insatiable need to damage,

with its surprising flavors and most importantly new

we also have an incredible ability to save.

insights into the amazing world underwater.

The New Heaven Dive School is one of the premier dive schools in the world that teaches people how to build artificial coral reefs. It’s a simple procedure of building a cement or metal structure underwater and attaching corals onto the structure by means of wire or nylon rope. The corals eventually grow a calcareous skeleton onto the artificial reef and take over.

This forms the basis of a brand new reef! Simple, cheap and incredibly satisfying work.

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COMMUNICATE 98 | DECEMBER 2015

Contd...

I have over the course of two months planted

oceans better. Get out and swim in its waters, or sail

around 50 corals onto artificial reefs all over the is-

or dive.

land of Koh Tao and I hope to return there one day and look at the marvelous reefs they will have created a few years from now.

Take more interest in the fish that you eat and don’t throw garbage into the rivers that eventually lead to the sea. The more you love the ocean, the more you

Something magical happened on that first night di-

will want to save it.

ve on Koh Tao. We dived down 13 meters to the bottom, and turned off our flashlights. The water was black all around. I then swished my arms around in front of me and as I did so, tiny green lights began to flicker all around. Phytoplankton came alive with their phosphorescence. This remains one of my most favorite moments.

My quest to find solutions to our oceans problems, are based on one simple reason. Our oceans are simply too beautiful to lose. Get to know your

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RETHINKING THE CLUB LEADERSHIP

COMMUNICATE 98 | DECEMBER 2015

Let’s face it. Our clubs are facing huge challenges in retaining members and engaging them. The primary reason being the obsolete and archaic structures that we still cling to.

The heart of any club is the executive committee or ex-com as we call it. The structure and composition of the ex-com has not changed for decades and is based on a gentler, less busy model. It certainly is not meant for the fast paced world in which we live today. More than half of the roles are not dynamic by definition and they put extraordinary pressure on the remaining ones. The result is that most ex-com members function in a lop sided manner.

Let us look at what a modern ex-com might look like with rearranged titles and responsibilities.

Ron Billimoria Agnel Toastmasters Club

1.Club President – Leader & Total Quality Manager The leader is responsible for 10 pre-defined macro

3.VP Meeting Manager – Super SAA

indicators of the club’s progress. He is also accounta-

To unburden the VP Ed, we introduce this new role

ble for member satisfaction and engagement fac-

whose only job is to schedule effective meetings.

tors. This role becomes more dynamic as they are

He must ensure all roles are filled for each meeting

now responsible for not only a growing, functioning

well in advance so as to have a full meeting board.

club but also a ‘happy’ club. Pre-designed indicators

He also has to make sure that things run smoothly

ensure there is no ambiguity.

during the meeting including guest material, refreshments, and visual aids. Since there will be no SAA, the duties of that role fall on him.

2.VP Education – Club Effectiveness Coach The traditional overworked work horse of the club needs his responsibilities reduced. He will only be

4.VP Club Growth – Amalgation of VP Membership

responsible for members’ progress along the educa-

& PR

tional and leadership tracks. He acts as a coach and

This role combines the responsibilities of member-

advisor to the members for their personal growth

ship and public relations, to focus on only two

goals. Appointing mentors and arranging meetings is

things: new signups and renewals. No membership

no longer his responsibility.

management other than getting people to sign on and remain members. He has to use every means at his disposal including ads, graphics, handouts, and so on, to do the job. www.d98tm.in

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COMMUNICATE 98 | DECEMBER 2015

Contd...

5.VP Mentorship / Training – Super Coach

noting down minutes and supporting the meeting

This role is introduced to ensure quality mentoring,

manager in logistics. This role is not responsible for

and a training of sorts, is given to every member.

club performance but rather club efficiency.

This is different from VP Ed as it does not deal with

I want to end this by a quote from Lao Tzu, ‘If you do

projects or leadership track directly. It focuses on

not change direction, you may end up where you are

value-adds and personal growth of the members.

heading.’ Where we are heading as an organization is

He assigns mentors, and coaches these mentors

not a very good place in my (and merely my) opinion.

himself.

We need to shake off the cobwebs and reinvent our-

6.VP Administration – Efficiency Expert

selves so that this wonderful organization thrives and

This is an amalgamation of SAA, Treasurer and Sec-

grows in the new century as well.

retary and takes care of all the mundane paperwork of the club including making payments,

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LAXMINAGAR‌. A MODEL VILLAGE In India we have a population of 120 crores out of which 80 crore people live in villages. If a village prospers it will boost India's economic growth as well. This noble thought made Pendyala Prasad, who works for a software company in Hyderabad, to adopt Laxminagar Village, Papannapet Mandalam, Medak dt, Telangana, two years back.

He has made some grand plans for the development of this village. As part of these plans, Laxminagar Welfare Society (LWS) was formed.

He developed a website: www.ourlaxminagar.org where the activities of the village were regularly updated along with a photo gallery. The LWS took up the task of providing drinking water by establishing an RO plant with the assistance of Bala Vikas, an NGO. Laxminagar Welfare Society Committee formed lot many committees, and is striving it's best for a community based development, where all the villagers get involved in the development. Water committee has been taking care of the maintenance of RO Purifier Plant which provides Healthy Drinking water to all the villagers. A women’s committee: Manjeera Milk Society was also formed with 10 members to collect and sell milk in the village. The committee has tied up with Vijaya Dairy to which they supply 500 liters of milk every day. With these two activities, the LWS is

COMMUNICATE 98 | DECEMBER 2015

able to generate some revenue to the Grama Panchayati.

With the revenues generated from the above 2 committees, they have formed a "Haritha Haram Committee" ,which takes care of Tree Plantation in turning this village into a Green Village. The sale of liquor was banned in the village .The village has also been paying taxes regularly. More importantly, the villagers have banned throwing plastic bags on the road.

Some farmers started Organic Farming also, after attending the recent workshop on Organic Farming. Check Dams, Sewage Treatment Plants Solid Waste Management yards, Sports and Community Centre, are in their agenda for turning this village into a model village in future.

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Strong Leaders are required to build a strong Nation. Let us turn INDIA into a DEVELOPED Country from a DEVELOPING Country .

The Editorial Team in conversation with TM Prasad Pendyala Oracle Hyderabad Toastmasters

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COMMUNICATE 98 | DECEMBER 2015

THE TALENTED MR. RAWAL “A Truly creative person is one who can think Crazy!”

He has the energy to accomplish any task he takes to heart. He is a C.A. and his name is Dr. Tejindersingh Rawal. TM Rawal has a lion’s share in the formation of Nagpur Toastmasters Club.

Having served as the president of the club, he still continues to be an active Toastmaster. Very soon he will complete his journey of Advance Communication Bronze.

He has to his credit the honor of being the youngest Chartered Accountant in India. He did his Masters in Economics, Public Administration and Urdu. A great academician, he has multiple degrees to his credit with PhD. in Taxation. He is a Wonder man for all Nagpurians. How can one believe that a practicing Chartered Accountant can appreciate the beauty of literature and nature? He has command not only over Urdu but also knows German, Persian and Arabic. He is a voracious reader and an accomplished communicator. He has the capacity to mesmerize the audience with his knowledge –be it Finance, Economics, Health, Humanity or Fitness.

to be called a ‘Randonneurs’ His recent achievement on 13th Dec. 2015 includes a successful completion of Goa River Marathon of42.2 km.

An interesting multifaceted personality TM Rawal has received many national and International recognitions and honors. He has the rare qualities of modesty and humility. He is associated with many academic and social associations like The Lions Club and the Masons.

He loves to be connected to people and utilizes every opportunity to spend hours over cycling and running. His life mantra is---

An avid bird watcher and an amazing photographer, his photographs have been accepted internationally. Recently TM Rawal decided to focus on two fitness activitieswalking and cycling .As rightly said by Shakespeare “Though this be madness-there is a method in it.” With continued passion and “If you love something, do it. consistent efforts TM Rawal has now completed Have some fun in your life” two bravets Audax organized by Audax India, a subsidiary of Audax of France-a major cycling body of the world. He has received medal & certificate from Audax club TM Prafullata Rode Parisian France, (‘Brevet De Nagpur Toastmasters Club Randonneurs Mondiaux’) for BEYOND TOASTMASTERS successfully completing a 200 km. cycling event. Now he is entitled

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23

COMMUNICATE 98 | DECEMBER 2015

JINGLE BELLS JINGLE BELLS JINGLE ALL THE WAY! These are the only lines, which come to my mind whenever I hear the word ‘Christmas’. December is Santa’s Month. December is the Month of Surprises and gifts. December is the month bridging the gap between what “Was” and what “Is”. For me the spirit of Christmas is the “Faith” which makes us alive and keeps reminding us that there will always be a way. Christmas is festival of Faith.

We gather with our friends, families and exchange gifts around the Christmas tree. I do remember hanging my socks on the window every night before Christmas. Because I had faith in Santa. And he would come and put chocolates in my socks. Christmas gives us the opportunity to reflect and rekindle the magic of childhood and bring within ourselves the true spirit of Christmas.

Let me connect it with the movie scene of “The Chronicles of Narnia & Prince Caspian”. It is a ‘must watch’ movie during Christmas. If you remember that cute character Lucy, you cannot stop yourself from thinking about that beautiful Christmas snowfall. Only she could find Aslan, the debonair Lion in the woods. She succeeded because she carried the faith with her. She believed in herself. And when she found the lion, she was astonished. Because the size of the Lion was much bigger than before. His mane was much longer. It shows that with time one grows older. It shows time leads to change. With time, Faith also increases. His one roar turned the battle in Narnia’s favor.

The spirit of Christmas is to carry on what we do. To keep faith in actions and to not stop.

Like Lucy, let us be assiduous and celebrate Christmas with faith!

Minaz Vohra TCS BE@T Toastmasters Gandhinagar

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COMMUNICATE 98 | DECEMBER 2015

A DANCER TO A TOASTMASTER

Aishwarya Chandrasekaran Genesis Toastmasters Club

“Smile, so that the world smiles with you. And in dance, express so that the audience just can’t take their eyes off you”

This has been instilled into me since I was a kid. For a notorious child like me, being quiet was a myth. If I wasn’t dancing, I was busy talking to anyone I could find. Sometimes, if there was no one around, it also meant talking to me! The mirror eventually became my best friend. My parents recall that I first danced when I was a 2 year-old.

went on to acquire my degree and snag a good job.

In college however I slowly moved to Bollywood songs and started choreographing for events. I was a natural at it. I used to dream up the steps in my Dance was never difficult for me and I never saw mind and ask the dancers to execute them. For me dance to have various genres. It was just one soul dance has been the solution to all my worries, has for me, just one form of expression that I felt in my given me a perspective of life and has been my best heart, to say what words couldn’t say, to reach to friend throughout. Dance has given me the confisomeone’s heart just by blending music with emo- dence to go on stage, to have a brief eye contact tions. with the audience, to express and to bring a smile on everyone’s face.

I started learning Bharatnatyam at These learnings have been there the age of 8 when I wasn’t much inwith me all throughout.

BEYOND TOASTMASTERS terested in learning a classical form of dance but as time passed by, I At Toastmasters we speak words, found I could communicate with while in dance we express with our wonderful expressions and gestures. eyes. For every voice modulation Within a year, I started giving performances in there is an equivalent dancing bell. I have always school and other clubs. People said I had wonder- practiced dance in front of the mirror and now I fully expressive eyes! They also said I must pursue practice my speech. The most gratifying moment is this art and learn further. I was happy and I kept when the audience is glued to your performance learning and giving performances. I also got a solo and the thunderous applause at the end. The tranand a group song to perform at Kalasadhana Bha- sition is complete. Every step on stage as a toastratnatyam Academy. Later on I went on to com- master is a mirror of the step as a classical dancer plete 3 levels of my Dance at the same Academy. in my early years. I feel blest to have had the best of both worlds.

But academics and aesthetics somehow never go together and I had to put an end to my aspirations “I now speak at a toastmasters in Std. 10.

Classical dance now sat on the back burner as I

event with a spring in my step”

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CHANGE IS IN YOUR HANDS

COMMUNICATE 98 | DECEMBER 2015

‘Be the Change That You Want to See in the World’ – Mahatma Gandhi

As a child, I must have read this quote about a thousand times hung on a wall outside our Principal’s room. Every time we would snicker as we passed it, replacing ‘change’ with ‘chillar’, the Hindi version of loose change. Only recently I was able to understand the meaning and absorb the deep importance of this phrase. In fact it has changed my way of conducting life.

Many complain that if they had a particular privilege they would fare better. Even I am guilty of this. I have a master’s degree; I have a long list of talents and all the ingredients to make a notable career. Providence ordained that I become a homemaker. While pals from school and university who wouldn’t have passed without my notes, have become managers and even CEOs today, I feel I am a mere housewife. But I continued to perform my role as best as I could: cooked wholesome food, did the laundry, was a caretaker, nurse, companion, badminton coach and so on.

But, of late I observed that I was feeling more stressed and often got irritated for just limiting myself to home and family. This even led to blaming others for a while.

And then as if by some ordained purpose, I saw the same message of Gandhi on the walls of my daughter’s school. This time my comprehension had changed. I knew that it was up to me to bring about a change for myself. I still had small children to look after and I could not be out of the house. I am neither a party hopper nor a shopper. So what was I to do?

Radhika Mahajanam Elan Toastmasters Hyderabad

My husband once joked ‘women are born speakers but they need to make sense of what they speak.’ So when I heard about toastmasters I knew I could kill two birds with one stone. Mingle with progressive minded people and exchange ideas, so that my connection with the outside world is firmly established. And enhance my skills so that I am a positive influence on my children..

That was the change I had to see.

I introduced myself to Toastmasters about three months ago, so I am just a baby learning to roll over. Toastmasters for me, is not just about speaking, but a stage that nourishes you overall as a child and turns you into a productive adult. I wish to see myself as a Competent Communicator as well as a Competent Leader and explore newer horizons that life has in store for me.

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‘Toastmasters was my Change!!!’

26

GOA CELEBRATES CHRISTMAS

COMMUNICATE 98 | DECEMBER 2015

Christmas - the season for loving, giving and reconnecting unconditionally and also the time for feasting - candies and goodies; not forgetting the family lunches and dinners, visits to each others homes to re-validate the love we have for each other. BUT, it is the best time for all Toastmasters to strengthen the camaraderie and celebrate our fraternity.

Colin Savio Coelho Toastmasters International Margao

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COMMUNICATE 98 | DECEMBER 2015

TRICKS TO FACE TABLE TOPICS The Story of Toastmasters, written by Dr. Ralph C. Smedley includes a brief summary of the origin of Table Topics. The practice of Table Topics gained popularity around 1934 and 1935.

No explanation for why the program is called Table Topics is expressly stated.

It was at about this time that a new feature was added to the typical club program. In most clubs there had been various plans used to get all members on their feet at every meeting.

Quotations, anecdotes and other features had been tried in miscellaneous fashion.

In the Santa Ana Toastmasters, Number 15, some of the men asked for more opportunities to

discuss

current

topics…San

Diego

Toastmasters were experimenting on similar lines. Other clubs became interested, and the custom spread. In the course of months, “Table

Beena Mandrekar DTM

Topics,” as it came to be known, was generally

Toastmasters Club of Pune North West

adopted, and given official recognition. The chairman of the discussion was given the title

deters us. What if we are asked to speak on a topic

of

we have no clue of? What if

‘Topics

master,’

and

the

period

of

impromptu speaking became an established

we make a fool of ourselves? What if we are

part of our procedure.

tongue tied? These and many such questions - Chad Schultz

quickly dispel the newly found courage we have gathered after giving several prepared speeches.

Very often as speakers we are prepared and ready to speak for the 5 to 7 minutes allotted to us. But when it’s time for Table Topics we often shy away from being called. The fear of the unknown is what

How can we dispel this fear? Senior toastmasters have often conducted sessions from the successful club series and given us techniques to combat table topics.

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COMMUNICATE 98 | DECEMBER 2015

Contd...

The first of these is called PREP. It is an acronym for:

TELL A STORY Turn your topic into a delightful story involving

Point

you or your near and dear ones. Nothing sells

Reason

like a story. Let the story have action, dialogue,

Example

conflict and moral value.

Point again Let’s take an example. If you have been given a topic like ‘Every cloud has a silver lining’….

How will you use the technique mentioned above?

Point

is ‘Every cloud has a silver lining’….

Do you agree or disagree? Start with that premise.

Reason

for your premise is…? (Explain the

PROBLEM CAUSE AND SOLUTION

phrase in greater detail).

Present the problem. State how you came

Example of the above is mandatory. Even two examples are welcome.

Point

about it and then present the solution.

Table Topics can translate to more confidence at work

again can be mentioned as a summary

and in social situations. The participants can overcome “dry mouth” and “blank brain” when faced

and the title looped in.

with unsettling situations. Questions from a boss, a spouse, or an irate colleague can be handled with ease. Table Topics is also known as speaking off the cuff.

Another techniques are PENDULUM Agree or disagree with the given premise.

Explain 2 views Agree or disagree again.

'Off the cuff' originated when gentlemen wore

PAST PRESENT OR FUTURE

paper cuffs and collars in the 1800's. Notes

From the topic given to you, what do you see in

would be taken on the cuff to remember later.

the past? What is the scenario now? And what do you foresee in the future. www.d98tm.in

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LOVE IS WHERE THE HEART IS

COMMUNICATE 98 | DECEMBER 2015

‘I am deeply in love and happily married to the man who stole my heart at a Toastmasters meeting’ These could very well be the words of Toastmaster Namrata who tied the knot with Toastmaster Mohit on December 12, 2015, in Indore.

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COMMUNICATE 98 | DECEMBER 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 P.R. MANAGER

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

ANKIT JAIN

MANAGER CLUB EXT AND GROWTH

ASST CLUB GROWTH DIRECTOR

HITENDRA BHADANG CREDENTIALS CHAIR

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COMMUNICATE 98 | DECEMBER 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

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LEO PAULOSE DIVISION D DIRECTOR

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COMMUNICATE 98 | DECEMBER 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

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TEAM NEWSLETTER EDITOR , District 98

BEENA MANDREKAR WEBMASTER , District 98

SOMNATH BHATTACHARJEE

NEWSLETTER LEAD

SANJEEV PATRA Representing HYDERABAD NEWSLETTER LEAD

AISHWARYA CHANDRASEKARAN Representing PUNE NEWSLETTER LEAD

PAVAN PUNJABI Representing MUMBAI TECH TEAM

SHALINI GANDHAM

NEWSLETTER LEAD

COLIN SAVIO COELHO Representing GOA

TECH TEAM

RAJIV PINGALE

TECH TEAM

MIHIR MANDSORWALE

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COMMUNICATE 98 | DECEMBER 2015

Disclaimer: Although great care has been taken in putting together 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 and suggestions to newsletter@d98tm.in

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