Humdinger Vol 1 Feb 2025

humdinger

Humoroids Toastmasters Club Area 7 | Division B District 105

FEBRUARY 2025

ISSUE NO. 01

INTEGRITY | RESPECT | SERVICE | EXCELLENCE

Among the pages 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 11 12 14 16 17 23

EDITORIAL TEAM HUMOROIDS CLUB EXCOM FROM THE EDITOR Sunita Pinto, TC3 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE DTM M P Katrak AREA DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE DTM Rizvi DIVISION DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE DTM Saravanan Rajalou OH, THE WALK! TM Anuradha Sharma THE STING AND THE SONG CC CL Shuchita Udas THE CLUB THAT BECAME MY FAMILY TM Neha Arora WEIGHTLESS AND CLUELESS DTM Devlal Sahadevan GALLERY - NEW MEMBERS GALLERY - MEETING FLYERS GALLERY - MEETING PHOTOS

editorial team PUBLISHER M P KATRAK, DTM

EDITOR SUNITA PINTO, TC3

CONTENT CURATOR TM ROHINI S SUJITH

DESIGN, LAYOUT DEVLAL SAHADEVAN, DTM

Humoroids Club Excom 2024-25 DTM Devlal Sahadevan VP Education

DTM MP Katrak President

Nishad Palamullathil, LD3 Sergeant at Arms

TM Nadil Kareem VP Membership

Sunita Pinto, TC4 VP Public Relations

CC CL Shuchita Udas

TM Saritha Suresh TM Pooja Arya Treasurer Secretary

Immediate Past President

From the Editor

Sunita Pinto, TC4 VPPR, Humoroids Celebrating a Milestone Dear Humoroids members, As we gather to celebrate a remarkable milestone, it fills me with immense pride and joy to announce that Humoriods has successfully completed its 200th meeting. This achievement is a testament to the dedication, passion, and hard work of every member involved. At Humoriods, we have always believed in nurturing communication and leadership skills, and our Club has been a shining example of this commitment.

Over the years, our club has become a vibrant community where senior

and new members alike come together to work on their public speaking and leadership skills.

Our club has seen participation from members, showcasing a wide range of speeches, from heartfelt personal stories to insightful discussions on global issues. Members have consistently participated in Toastmasters competitions, bringing back numerous accolades and recognition for their outstanding performances.

Many of our members have taken on leadership roles developing essential skills that will serve them well in their personal and Professional Lives.

As we celebrate this milestone, we also look forward to the future with enthusiasm and determination. The journey of a Toastmaster is neverending, and there is always room for growth and improvement. We encourage all our members to continue pushing their boundaries, exploring new topics, and honing their skills.

A heartfelt thank you to all the Founder members, senior members and mentors, who have been instrumental in our journey this far. Here's to the next 200 meetings and beyond, as we continue to empower each other and make strides towards becoming confident communicators and leaders.

President’s Message In the Animal Kingdom, the dictum is “Survival of the Fittest”. In our competitive world, it is the communication skills and not the physical fitness which allows us to sustain ourselves in the environment. Irrespective of the profession, we have to attain the skills to convince those whom we deal with. Thanks to Toastmasters, especially Humoroids Toastmasters club, we are all roaring at our place of work.

My WhatsApp status reads, “Do the right thing even when no one is looking. It is called integrity.” However, it looks more like a dictum which all Humoroidians follow, even more than me. Been a member for 22 years, served as a Club President and Area Governor in the past, but have never come across such a talented, dedicated, enthusiastic group of club members, especially the new joiners. They have been coming ahead and taking up all the roles and helping the club at all times.

Lately, our Club presence is felt on social media thanks to TM Rohini.

Dear Toastmasters, allow me to share what I read in Robin Sharma’s book, The Greatness Guide; “Each day, life will send you little windows of opportunity. Your destiny will ultimately be defined by how you respond to these windows of opportunity”. The way our members are responding to the opportunities they get, I am confident they will take our club to new heights never achieved in the past.

Best wishes to all and Best of luck to our contestants at the Area contest and beyond.

DTM M P Katrak Dr Merezban Katrak, DTM is the President of Humoroids Toastmasters Club. He is a Consultant Surgeon and Head of Department of Surgery at NMC Specialty Hospital, Abu Dhabi.

He became a Toastmaster in 2003 and has served leadership positions as Club President and area Director.

He is also the winner of the District humorous speech championship in 2016.

Area Director’s Message I hope this message finds you well.

I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to every member of Humoroids Toastmasters club for your relentless dedication and enthusiasm. It is your commitment that shapes the success of your club. I am so proud that your club includes experienced and champion Toastmasters. You all can learn a lot from these seasoned Toastmasters.

Furthermore, the Humoroids Toastmaster Club is entirely distinct from other clubs. Your club performs every role in a unique way, which helps you all to learn quickly and in a light hearted manner.

At the same time, we must remind ourselves to delivering speeches on a regular basis. This will help us to achieve all 10 DCP goals and to attain the President's Distinguished Club status. I am certain that the Excom and all members have a clear plan on how to achieve these DCP goals.

I wish all the very best for your club to achieve more success in the coming months.

DTM Rizvi Rasheed Area 7 Director, Division B

DTM Rizvi Rasheed is the Area 7 Director and a Toastmaster since 2009.

He is also a former Division Director. Rizvi is a Chartered accountant working with E& and an active sportsman who has excelled in various events such as Athletics, Football and Rugby.

Division Director’s Message

DTM Saravanan Rajalou Division B Director DTM Saravanan Rajalou is a chartered Engineer, working as Director at an international engineering consultancy.

He has been a Toastmaster for the past 6 years and is a member of Abu Dhabi Toastmasters club.

Laugh, Learn, Lead: The Power of Humoroids Club!

Since its founding in 2011, Humoroids Toastmasters Club has been a hub for learning and growth. According to club statistics, over the last 13 years, 300 plus individuals have been empowered to become confident speakers and leaders while also helping develop their sense of humour.

The true strength of a Toastmasters club lies in its ability to create an environment where individuals feel empowered and encouraged to express themselves.

Humoroids TMC is a perfect example, and I had the honor of experiencing it during its 13th anniversary meeting in Sep 2024

Organizing such a milestone event required dedicated teamwork from club officers, all united by a shared goal making it a success. The club’s culture was evident throughout the meeting. The relaxed atmosphere encouraged everyone to share jokes and puns, while light-hearted roasts helped break the ice, even before a member’s formal Icebreaker speech.

Engaging with guests, I realised that Humoroids is more than a platform for honing public speaking and leadership skills—it’s a vibrant community where personal growth happens naturally.

Beyond speeches and evaluations, the spirit of camaraderie stood out, offering newcomers a glimpse into the club’s welcoming and supportive environment.

By consistently raising the bar in communication and leadership, Humoroids Club’s impact extends beyond individual achievements, fostering a unique culture where members uplift and inspire one another.

In essence, Humoroids Toastmasters is not just a club—it is a movement that empowers individuals to Laugh, Learn, Lead. This milestone meeting reaffirmed that its success is built on collective effort.

My best wishes to Humoroids as it continues shaping confident speakers and visionary leaders en route to its silver jubilee.

Oh, the walk!

TM Anuradha Sharma We see it daily, yet we are mesmerised by the hues and shades of orange painted across the sky. Mornings are so beautiful anywhere. If you have had a good sleep, you are likely to feel energised and clearly there is positivity in the air.

Come October, that harbinger of autumn and winter, brings in cool mornings, with a gentle breeze. The weather in UAE is fantastic. Mornings are great for walking. I love walking around the Corniche area. Walking around water bodies is exhilarating with the cool breeze blowing through our hair. The fresh air filling up my lungs is like an elixir, making me feel young and giving a bounce to my feet. For bird watchers, mornings are a treat, especially in a wooded area or hill station.

I think we observe more in the mornings - at least I do. I observe birds: pigeons, mynas and doves.

Once when I went for a walk, I came across a cute brown kitten playing all by itself with a piece of tattered cloth. I think our sensory perception is at its peak in the morning.

I like walking with my friends. While chatting I barely notice how far we have gone. The other day I was talking and was all ears to some juicy gossip only to realize that we had already walked some 8000 steps. Nothing better than gossip to make you walk. You meet your health goals, and you treat your ears to some interesting news. Walking, jogging, running or just stretching, people just want to cash in on the morning time. With some, it has become an obsession. I read somewhere that Haruki Murakami, the Japanese author had a set routine, he writes for a few hours in the morning, then runs 10 kilometres daily.

I am not very regular with my walks but there are people who wouldn’t miss even a day. Ready in their jogging pants, trainers, and sporting earbuds, they complete their targets. Why should we walk 10,000 steps? I don’t know! I rarely ever reach that goal. I walk to enjoy nature with a small hope in my heart that the few steps that I take outside will show its results on my body.

A friend of mine runs for miles assiduously without fail. She is a fitness freak and a health enthusiast. She even participates in almost all the marathons held in UAE and often wins. I am always inspired by her drive but me being me, end up procrastinating and can never match her discipline. A beautiful, fit body always bears a strong mind.

A BEAUTIFUL, FIT BODY ALWAYS BEARS A STRONG MIND.

One day while walking, my empty rumbling stomach gets its juices roiled up as delicious aromas waft through the air.

I spotted a restaurant with a big queue. Oh yes, this is the famous restaurant whose reels are trending. My hunger is conjuring me to visualize all the images I viewed on the reel, churning up my gastric juices further.

I ask my friend whether she is intrigued by the inviting smells of spices and herbs. We both agree that we cannot resist the temptation to dive in. Now that beats the purpose of our walk. I go for a walk to shed some weight but instead, I gloat at the calorie intake. Did I take a walk to reduce or to gain weight?

I can't decide! But what the hell, I am devouring the dishes here! Moral of the story: An empty stomach is bad, and its cravings overpower your fitness regime.

But the worse are the amazing aromas around a restaurant.

TM Anuradha Sharma Anuradha is a math teacher turned homemaker who loves to read literary fiction and historical fiction. Her favorite authors are Elif Shafak and Margaret Atwood.

But the next morning I go for a walk after having had a light breakfast, but I don’t go near the restaurant, least I fall prey to the aromas and end up hogging at the eatery again!

The Sting and the Song Imagine an old and mighty oak tree.

Resplendent in its dense green foliage, every branch laden with tiny acorns peeping from behind the leaves.

Splashes of bright colors in flight, creepy crawlies hurrying along the branches, busy bees buzzing around gathering pollen and the sudden cacophony of screeches and squawks settling down to an occasional tweet. It is a teeming hub of life, a universe on its own.

This mighty paradox stands tall at the very edge of my dad’s farm. The harmonious coexistence of these creatures never fails to mystify me. The branches are the base on which the glistening beehives rest while just further along the fork the tiny fledglings nest. The industrious ants go about their business in between, oblivious to the song or to the sting. How? Why?

CC CL Shuchita Udas

It’s because they are an unequivocal part of an ecosystem; but more than that they wholeheartedly accept the natures law and order. Acceptance and inclusivity at its best.

It’s not as if the bees don’t sting their fellow creatures or that the birds don’t eat insects or creepy crawlies don’t feast on meat dead or alive. But then how come there is no mayhem?

It’s because they are an unequivocal part of an ecosystem; but more than that they wholeheartedly accept the natures law and order. Acceptance and inclusivity at its best.

So why do we, with the most evolved and refined intelligence have selective inclusivity, selective empathy and acceptance peppered with our own terms and conditions?

Can we not appreciate an individual as a whole? Each one of us has a sting and a song within. Survival after all is at the core of the natures law. But can we stop justifying the rampant sting and use it only when utmost necessary?

Then let’s accept the universal law and withdraw those stings setting the song within, free. Let’s venerate the magical symphony that will then vibe the longest.

The club that became my family .

The warmth in the room was immediate, from the friendly When I first heard about smiles to the laughter that filled Toastmasters, I thought it the air. And the applause? They was a place where serious clapped for everything—even people practiced serious for introducing yourself. It felt speeches—full of polished less like a formal meeting and orators delivering perfectly more like being welcomed into timed pauses and inspirational wisdom. I wasn’t a family dinner where everyone was genuinely happy to see afraid of public speaking, you. and I wasn’t dreaming of At the time, I was new to the becoming the next TED Talk country and navigating the sensation. I was just curious. challenges of settling into a What I found when I walked new life. I didn’t know many into my first meeting was people, and while I was excited nothing like I expected—it to explore, I hadn’t yet found was better.

It wasn’t just a club—it was a “my people.” That first Toastmasters meeting vibrant, welcoming changed that. community

TM Neha Arora is the founder of The Mind Rewired specializing in Rapid Transformational Therapy (RTT). With a mission to help individuals break free from limiting beliefs, she empowers her clients to embrace profound transformation and unlock their true potential. She lives in Canada.

TM Neha Arora Former Humoroids member and Club VPE

I thought I was just joining a club to sharpen my communication skills. What I found was so much more: a home away from home and a family that cheered for every step of my journey.

The First Meeting: Where Awkward Meets Applause.

My first Toastmasters meeting was a mix of excitement and awkwardness. As the new person, I tried to stay inconspicuous, hoping to just watch and figure out how things worked. But Toastmasters isn’t a place where you can hide.

When I was called up for Table Topics—a one-minute impromptu speech—I panicked. My brain froze, my palms got sweaty, and I had no idea what to say.

Somewhere in the chaos of my thoughts, I blurted out, “Life is like... a sandwich.” Yes, a sandwich. And then I rambled about bread and fillings until the timer mercifully ended.

I sat down, feeling a little embarrassed, convinced my attempt must have seemed a bit clumsy to everyone. But instead, they clapped. Not just polite, obligatory clapping— they clapped like I’d delivered a groundbreaking keynote. And that’s when it hit me: this wasn’t a room of critics. This was a room of cheerleaders.

As I kept coming back, I realized Toastmasters wasn’t just about learning to speak. It was about connecting—with your audience, your ideas, and the people sitting around you.

It quickly became clear that this wasn’t your typical group of people. It was the kind of family where: Everyone celebrates your successes, no matter how small. Forgetting your speech halfway through?

That’s still worth applause.

Awkward moments become cherished memories. Like the time a member dropped their prop midspeech, and someone jokingly handed them “Toastmasters’ Most Dramatic Gesture” award.

Growth isn’t just encouraged—it’s inevitable.

Each meeting felt like a reunion.

We laughed together, learned together, and grew together.

And somewhere along the way, we became more than a club.

The Power of Connection Toastmasters taught me that public speaking isn’t just about standing in front of a room and delivering words. It’s about creating a connection.

I learned that vulnerability— whether it’s sharing a personal story or stumbling over a line— is what makes people listen. It’s not the perfect delivery that moves an audience; it’s the authenticity.

And that lesson went beyond speaking. I started applying it in conversations, at work, and in my everyday life. I learned to pause, to listen, and to let moments land. It wasn’t just my speeches that improved—it was how I connected with the world around me.

Laughing Through Growth Some of my favorite moments in Toastmasters are the ones that went completely off-script: The time I blanked during a speech and said, “Well, this is awkward,” which got more laughs than the actual jokes I’d written.

The most embarrassing moments turn into legendary inside jokes, lovingly brought up (and exaggerated) by the Roastmaster at every chance they get.

And, of course, the countless Table/ Twisted Topics where I turned random prompts into metaphors about pasta, sandwiches, or whatever food was on my mind that day.

Toastmasters isn’t about being perfect. It’s about embracing the imperfections and learning to laugh at yourself along the way.

Why Humoroids Will Always Be Home Even though I’m no longer an active member, Humoroids remains close to my heart. It’s more than a place to practice speaking—it’s a place to build confidence, find connection, and create lifelong memories.

If you’ve ever wondered whether Toastmasters is for you, let me tell you this: You don’t need to be a polished speaker. You just need to show up, be willing to try, and let yourself grow.

Because at Toastmasters, it’s not just about the speeches— it’s about the people. The ones who clap when you stumble, laugh when you make a joke (even accidentally), and cheer you on every step of the way.

Whether you’re terrified of public speaking, looking to fine-tune your skills, or just want to connect with incredible people, Toastmasters is waiting for you.

Take the leap and you’ll find a home here!

Weightless and Clueless.

DTM Devlal Sahadevan

He is a Toastmaster since 2006 and is the Founder President of Humoroids. He is a former Division Director, Pathways Ambassador, District Leadership Chair and DTAC Education Chair.

He works as Head of learning for an MNC and is a Certified Trainer. Devlal is fond of toons, cats, outdoors, MMA and theatre.

If life had a talent show, my talent would be not gaining weight no matter what. From childhood, I have always been the smallest in every room, a fact that has brought its share of hilarity and humiliation. Imagine being the kid who sat in the front row of every class, not by choice, but because teachers figured I would get lost in the back. It didn’t help that my desk was practically a throne of scrutiny under their hawk-eyed gaze. I still shudder when I hear chalk scraping against a blackboard. ports were another battlefield. Being a featherweight didn’t disqualify me from trying my hand at every event that required mass. Take shot put, for instance. I remember lifting the shotput with both my hands and throwing it. It fell down 15 cms away from me...and nipped my big toe. I screamed. Everybody else laughed. And running? Let’s just say I perfected the art of trailing so far behind the pack that the PT teacher used me as a marker for "last place."

High school brought fresh challenges, particularly in the wardrobe department. While my classmates shopped for trendy attire, I was browsing racks in the kids’ section. Try walking into school in a T-shirt with Daffy duck on it and explaining it is the only thing that fits. Adding insult to injury, my younger sister grew taller than me, ensuring a neverending supply of jokes about hand-me-ups.

Determined to bulk up, I joined a gym, a place where dreams are born and scrawny people like me are tossed around like rag dolls. Picture this: a barbell, 10 kilos on each side, and me confidently attempting a deadlift. Cue the slapstick moment as I toppled over, weights clanging around me.

The gym regulars—men and women who looked like Marvel superheroes—helped me up, chuckling in a way that was somehow both kind and condescending.

Of course, I had to get the gains diet right, which meant protein shakes. Spoiler alert: my digestive system wasn’t ready. One memorable week, I became a walking whoopee cushion, avoiding human interaction for fear of releasing a symphony of flatulence.

In the privacy of my bedroom, I used to look at my physique in the wardrobe mirror. I could touch my reflection in the mirror and STILL feel my ribs! But when I finally spotted a swelling on my arm, I thought I’d made it. A new muscle! I marveled, flexing dramatically in front of the mirror. WoW! I poked my new muscle. Awww! Turns out, it was just a sprain. My doctor was struggling to keep a straight face while explaining that inflammation and muscle definition are not the same.

My one shining extracurricular moment came when I joined the theater club. Yeah, they said they did not have any roles 'small' enough for me.

So there I was, but to operate the curtains. It seemed simple enough. Pull the rope, curtain goes up. Release the rope, curtain goes down. Yet, during a crucial performance, my lack of body weight turned the humble pulley system into a comedy of errors. My legs got entangled in the maze of nylon ropes, the curtain came crashing down, and I went flying upward like Spiderman. It took them 45 minutes to take me down. It should have taken them just 10 minutes. But they had to stop laughing first!

I’m still haunted by the laughter that filled the auditorium that night.

Ironically, my years of gym struggles have turned me into a magnet for people wanting to lose weight. Now, I’m a self-proclaimed “fitness consultant” for those trying to shed pounds. In the gym, I walk up to the 'pleasantly plump’ ones sweating it out, smile kindly and offer to say this much; ' I was once like you!'. Their eyes pop out and with a new found rigour, they get back to what they were doing. Nobody can get them to do that other than me.

So, while my quest for muscle may have turned into a comedy of errors, it has taught me one thing: when life throws you lemons, curl them.

They're probably the only weights you won’t drop.

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Annual Club contest: Jan 2025

Humoroids Toastmasters Club

FEBRUARY 2025

ISSUE NO. 01

Area 7 | Division B | District 105

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