The Curse of Russia

(Speech 7-9 min Project 5 from Storytelling Manual)

Year 1905.Russia was shuddering in the extreme cold snowfalls. So were the people from the cold blooded rule of Tsar Nicholas II and his Empress Tsaritsa Alexandra. Having food once in a day was considered an extravagant luxury. Those who dared to raise a little finger against the Tsar were brutally oppressed and deported to Siberia. While the rebels, handcuffed and chained, were transported to Siberia with hundreds jammed in one truck, they exchanged a name of hope. Clanging their chains in symphony they sang the name aloud—Karl Marx. Inspired by this name, the rebels had given many inflictions to the tyrants, the Tsars. The latest was the assassination of the elder son of Nicholas II. But a more mind shattering news awaited the Tsars--their second child Alexei met with an accident. It was not done by the rebels but the damage was no less. Alexei had very little life left in him. The search for a doctor who could bring him back to life extended to every nook and corner of the country. No one could improve the condition of Alexei.
Fellow Toastmasters and distinguished guests: good evening.
The Russian palace was decorated beautifully. The ways to the palace were red carpeted. Even when their second child is lying ill, Tsars were getting ready to receive the special guest. The royal cart drawn by five horses brought in the guest--an ugly looking man with protruded nose, elongated head and shabbily kept long beard. This man was brought to the palace from the outskirts by the royal army men who believed this man had amazing power to heal Alexei. The man whose fiery eyes gave a glimpse of his talent was Rasputin.

Tsar Nicholas II and his Empress Tsaritsa Alexandra ceremoniously welcomed Rasputin to the palace. He was escorted to the room of Alexei.3 days of undisturbed chanting went by. At the end of third day Rasputin came out trembling with high fever and sweating. Seeing Rasputin, Alexandra asked crying “How is my child” .Rasputin turned to her and said “I defeated death. Alexei will live long”
“O saviour, saviour of my child, saviour of this entire empire” said Alexandra and knelt down before Rasputin. It was the kneeling down of a great empire. The ascent of Rasputin in the Russian palace was rapid. He easily disposed off the officials whom he didn’t like. His control spread to all avenues of power. His prophesy’s was unchallenged even by the Tsar himself. He once said to the Tsar “Your Highness, if you yourself don’t lead the war from the front, the consequences will be catastrophic”. Tsar Nicholas II replied “Saviour, your prophecies will save this nation. I will go and lead the war”. Against the custom, the Tsar went to lead a war. When the Tsar was away, with firm support from his faithful devotee Tsaritsa Alexandra, Rasputin became omnipotent. The palace officials were turned into marionettes, marionettes whose threads had been taken firmly in hand by Rasputin. Even the princely families so close to the palace were neglected. Further worse was the licentious behaviour of Rasputin. He was a mad sex animal. He lured all beautiful women to sleep with him. In families of those who objected, death came as an uninvited visitor. Even the princely women were not spared from the vicious clutches of Rasputin. Unrest grew among the princes and in one their discreet meeting, Prince Yusupov growled “We can hope to regain someday the money and power we lost. But, how about the dignity that is lost? ” Yusupov wanted his pride to be redeemed and his friends were in support of his view. But he knew that he could not do it like the rebels who were inspired by Karl Marx. Born with a silver spoon in mouth, he could not go to the streets and throw a bomb at Rasputin. Further, being in the princely family the support of the browbeaten common man could not be expected. He had to find a way of his own to save the esteem of mothers, sisters and daughters of his community. He feigned as a supporter of Rasputin. Yusupov gradually befriended him. He realized that the real stories of Rasputin were much more dreaded than the stories that he had heard. Rasputin came to Yusupov’s house once. He was enticed to see Mrs. Yusupov beautiful like a wild flower flowing in the Volga River. Rasputin was more than excited when he was invited to a dinner on a later day. Yusupov informed his trusted friends and they came to his house on the D-day when Rasputin will join the Yusupov family for dinner. All of these friends kept waiting in the first floor. Their impatience was growing but finally was relieved to hear the arrival of Rasputin.


The dinner table was full of mouth watering food and wine items. Still, the hungry eyes of Rasputin feasted on Mrs Yusupov. Yusupov had poisoned certain food items which he cleverly avoided eating. Meanwhile, Rasputin ate all food garrulously but he was intact. The mixture of wine and poison inebriated him to a high level—yes the poison that could kill 5 people. Yusupov trembled. He knew his plan was failing. He excused himself for a while, consulted secretly his friends in the first floor and came back with a revolver. He came behind Rasputin and fired a shot at him. Being shot at, Rasputin turned and grabbed Yusupov by his neck. He ominously whispered in Yusupov's ear "you bad boy" and attempted to strangle him. Yusupov screamed as he struggled like a chicken in the hands of eagle. Hearing the noise, his friends rushed from the first floor and fired 3 more gunshots at Rasputin. Yusupov was saved and the devil himself fell to the ground. . As they neared his body, they found that Rasputin was still alive, struggling to get up. They took huge logs, clubbed him into submission and castrated him. After binding his body and wrapping him in a carpet, they threw him into the icy Neva River with a stone attached. He broke out of his bonds and the carpet wrapping him, but drowned in the river. Three days later when his body was found it was confirmed by autopsy that his reason of death was drowning. While Rasputin got ceremonial burial from the Tsars, Prince Yusupov was deported. However, the tides of revolution raised by Yusupov and many others ensured the end of the cruel Tsar rule by the mighty Russian revolution. After the successful February revolution the workers took the cremated body of Rasputin from the palace cemetery and burnt it in the nearby woods.
When power and money accumulates in one individual, it endangers the rest, like Rasputin did. It holds true even today.
Over to you, toastmaster

(The story of Rasputin put here is based on my readings on the matter from various sources.Hence some parts may be inspired.The write up is based on my understanding of history;the veracity of which may be verified from acknowledged history textbooks)

Across Seven Oceans

(Speech 6-8 min. Project 4 from Story Telling Manual)

Happily settled, Rita had a feeling of well being. Her son and daughter were married and settled. A sense of satisfaction gleamed on her face as she brushed back her hair with fingers. Her hair had gone little more grey than expected for a 55 year old, though she had only little worries. The worries she had were that her son with his family was settled in UK and her daughter with her family was away in US. Also Rita’s lovely husband had started getting little senile. However, the growth of her children from a middle class family in Kodaku village to reach the pinnacles of success across seven oceans pleased her.
Good morning fellow toastmasters and distinguished guests.
Her dreams were crammed with her daughter’s four year old baby girl, though she had not seen her. She thought of the bubbly little girl running around, talking without a break and engaged in naughty things. She could imagine the thrill of the little girl to be with her cute new born younger sister, the second child of her daughter. The dream made Rita’s eyes shine like a marble.


“Tring, Tring…..Tring, Tring”—the telephone rings broke her reverie. She was excited to hear her daughter from US on the other end of the phone. A little into the enchanting conversation her daughter asked “Mom, why don’t you come and stay with us”. Stuffed with happiness Rita’s words could rarely escape her throat. Like a young child she played with wire of the telephone. She was happy to go but her husband’s health was of some concern…….The urge for her to be with her grandchildren was so much. Even her husband was so happy for her and did not allow her to worry too much on him. Despite resistance from her dear husband, she forcefully, got a close relative to stay with him and look after him. The preparations for the trip began. She even packed different varieties of pickles for her daughter. Her husband was there on the forefront making all arrangements. She cross checked everything and ensured things were right. She didn’t want to make trouble for her daughter with some mistakes from her side. Her eyes fell upon her luggage. ‘Rita Shinge’ the tag on her luggage read. A small wink blended in gladness escaped her eyes…
She had fears of the first time flight but no hiccups occurred. New York City and her daughter were ready to welcome her. Rita was filled with affection on seeing her daughter, thrilled by the sophistication of the city and chilled by the cold weather. On getting home, her long cherished dreams were getting realized. She saw her dreamy eyed grand daughter running around. With her straight hair, cheesy cheeks and charming smile–the little girl was an angel. She was also so elated to see the sleeping new born baby. Few days went by and the servant of the house was sent off. Rita had to take care of the new born baby. Months flew by. The tasks were getting difficult and difficult. It was so tiresome for her. She could bear no more. She fully understood that she was brought here as a cheap option of a servant—by her own daughter. She wanted to leave. The reminiscence of pride she enjoyed back home hurt her a lot. However, the love for her daughter and the immense need to be with her new generation made her linger on amidst the difficulties.

Almost 2 years of extreme sacrifice of this real motherhood went on. Then one day out of thin air Rita’s daughter came and told her. “Mom, from next week the baby would be sent to preschool. So you won’t be required to look after her. You can go back to India”. A stunned silence was all Rita could manage. Destiny was cruel indeed. The word ‘Mom’ has attained a different meaning. She is no more useful. She has become a cow that could not be milked anymore and is being sold off. The rejection she felt was miserable. She recouped herself and got ready to get back to India. She was ready to get back to India. Then her son called her. It was an invite to visit to his home at UK. His wife was 8 months pregnant. Her son wanted Rita to be with his wife. Anger fired up in her. But the fire died down inside her only. It was her beloved son. All her life, she had done nothing for her; she had gained nothing for her, lived not even a single moment for her. It was all for her husband and children. A life sacrificed in kitchen for others. What she could offer is just the motherly love. Having offered it life long she cannot deny it now. She agreed to go to UK to her son’s place where her help was needed. At least it was good for her as her husband’s health had not deteriorated much. The plan to go back to India changed and the ticket was booked to London instead. She packed the things with a stoic feeling. Her eyes forced upon her to read the tag “Rita Shinge’ in the luggage. Nothing but a cold emotionless stare was all it could it produce. She waved goodbye to her daughter’s family. Her six year grand daughter asked her. “Why are you leaving? You got a better job”.

Over to you, toastmaster.

The Lovely Deer

(Speech 4-6 min.Project 3 from Story Telling Manual.This speech was delivered at Symphony Market Solutions)

There was a lion, a dangerous lion in a forest. He had incessant pain on one of his legs. Hence, he could not go far for hunting .He used to hunt and feed on animals that came through the way of his cave. He survived on poor animals that were ignorant to come through that way .But he was made to survive on animals from other forest as one wise deer from his forest came to know this. He informed to this everyone in the forest and saved lives of many.
Fellow toastmasters and distinguished guests: good evening.
Not only that this deer was wise, he was handsome and robust too. Such an iconic figure would easily get a lover from his own forest. Ironically,his lady love was from a different forest.

As with anybody his across the boarder love was a game with fire. The marriage could never happen with everyone’s consent. Consent of people who marry is important and not of others. They decided to get married by their own. He went to the giraffe priest of the temple in the lady deer’s forest. He was lucky enough to get a rare auspicious occasion in the near future only. The time was 5 am in the morning and things would be over before anyone wakes up. The priest agreed to come at 5 am, the bride agreed to come it was comparatively easy as the temple was near to her and the stag was more than happy to be there. But his lady love had a word of caution for him. “Don’t tell this to anybody. If anybody comes to know, things will leak out and my parents will come to know about it. Then, as you can imagine this marriage will never happen. You know that my parents are dead against in getting married off to a different forest. I will be married off to someone other, the instant they come to know of this” Everything was set and the day of marriage came. The deer woke up early and was ready at 2.30 am .In fact it was a long journey as he had to travel for 2 hours. He prayed to the Gods and started but then he realised that he forgot to make the customary nuptial chain which is to be made of gold. He was in trouble .He rushed to his friend goldsmith elephant and woke him up and told him the need. The elephant was so helpful. He tried his best and the mandatory golden chain was ready.It took took 2 hours,though.

There was just half an hour to the marriage and he had to travel for 2 hours to reach the temple. There was no way he could reach there and if he don’t reach there, his lady love's parents will come to know of the plan and then he will never be able to marry his dear one. He could not afford to miss his beloved, his heart, his soul. He knew if he could manage to run through the lane where the lame lion is living he could reach the temple in half an hour. But it’s very dangerous . There is a chance however the lion can be sleeping as well in this early morning hours. Nothing, not even the danger for his own life could make the deer think about separation with his lover. She is his beloved. He took the risk and started running through that dangerous lane. He was puffing and panting, still he ran like a wind when he was near the lion’s cave. He passed the cave and there was a little sigh of relief though his speed of running never reduced. Suddenly a forceful arm hit his neck. The claws went deep into his neck, blood spurted out. As he meekly turned his head he saw the open jaws of the lion. His lover’s lovely face went by flashing and it was pitch black all over.
Friends: if things are not well planned, we may also be forced to take unrealistic risks.
Over to you toastmaster.

Going Home

(Speech 6-8 min.Project 2 from the Story telling Manual.This speech was delivered at the Microsoft Speechweavers Club)

Bangalore is ready for Christmas yet again. Still I vividly remember my home going during last Christmas. Fellow toastmasters and distinguished guests: a warm good evening to one and all.

I was excited to go to my home in Kerala. I was more excited in driving my brand new car to home. The shining grey colour of my i10 gave a cooling effect to my eyes. I was raring to go behind the wheel of the lovely vehicle. At around 9 pm, I got in the car and waved good bye to my friends. As my friend’s looked on, a lovely smile adorned my lips and in a synchronized fashion my right leg pressed on the accelerator. Loud music reverberated inside the car resembling the mood of my mind. It’s a long drive of 500 km to my home but I will be in solitude enjoying my car all the way, all throughout the enticing night. The thrill of going for a long distance for the first time spiced things up. My prancing horse sailed through the Bangalore-Coimbatore-Kerala highway. I was proud to have this horse as the first valuable thing I earned for myself in life. After three hours of pleasurable driving with few fun filled over takings, I rightly got the turn I must take for the short cut route to Coimbatore via Mettur.

Ten minutes down the road, I saw a person showing hands to stop. A policeman!! .Confidently I stopped the car and showed him the documents including the temporary registration. “Where is the RC book?”- he asked me in cold tone. “RC book...? Oh, Sir this is a newly registered car. I will get it after 60 days” perplexedly I answered. A much harsh and stern reply came “Don’t you know that vehicles without RC book cannot be driven through highway”. Even till date I don’t know this. There, I could get over my ignorance only because of Gandhiji.A smiling face of Gandhi in a 500 rupees note saved me. I was frustrated and felt cheated .A feeling of helplessness covered my face while I drove on. I was tired and decided to grab a quick cup of coffee to refreshen myself. I parked my car in the side of the first tea shop I saw. I had the coffee, paid the cash and left without bothering to ask the route to the 2 locals I found there. I pulled on the door knob, and it was locked. I inserted my hands into the right and the left pockets of the trouser. Alas, the key was missing!!!. I tried all the four doors and all were tightly locked. I had kept the key inside the car and kept the ignition on. I knew then that it would have got automatically locked. With the spare key also inside the car, I tried in desperation to reach the Hyundai service which went unanswered. I was stuck in a totally strange place, in the middle of the night with nobody I know to come for my help. I remembered the numerous times in which I opened the door of Santro by pushing a scale inside the door along the glass of the window. This used to push a knob and the lock used to open. I wanted to apply the same trick. But I had no scale or thin substance that would go in. I asked the tea shopper and he too did not have it. My eyes closed down in helplessness. I asked the shop keeper whether he had a screwdriver and luckily he had it. Little hope, a very little hope came back to me. I went to the back of the car and unscrewed the plastic number plate. I inserted the number plate through the window and pushed it down in the hope that some knob would be pushed and the door will be unlocked. Much to my disappointment it didn’t happen. My exercise continued with the other doors as well but the result remained the same. I knew if it didn’t work out I will have to break the glass of my lovely i10.Whilst I looked on the mighty posture of the classy car shining in the moonlight, my lower eye lids pushed one drop of water back into my eyes.

I was in no mood to give up. I furiously gave further attempts with the number plate. I heard few shouts at my back and when I turned back I saw the two locals behind me. I could make out that they were saying that I was trying to steal this car. They were there, when I came; but still…. Suddenly the two guys grasped my hands from behind. The number plate fell off my hand.I writhed in their mighty clutch. In a swift surprise motion I pushed them back. I ran to the right side of the car through the back of the car. I gave a strong jab into the back window glass with my clenched right fist. The glass broke down. I inserted my hand inside the car through the broken window,ulocked the door,opened it, entered into the car and locked it. Inside the car, from the back seat I pushed myself into the driver’s seat .With the corner of my eyes I could see one hand coming inside the car through the broken window and my ears were filled with the hooligans’ shouting. Before I really sat in the seat, the key turned, and my right foot jammed the accelerator . With the hand break on, the car almost jumped up as it moved forward. I could sense the rowdy desperately pulling his hand out of the car as it fled from the spot. Flooded in sweat, I realized a thicker blood have covered my fist. But something much thicker covered my heart as I drove on the car with a broken window and a missing number plate. Yes, my brand new shining i10.


Over to you toastmaster.

(Above is a story partly based on my experience)

Associating Myself to a Brand

If I were to associate myself to a brand,I would choose Britannia 50-50;sweety as well as salty.This has been me too- sweety and salty.For me there is always the passion to be sweety when things around are salty.Also,I have the urge to offer something salty amidst overwhelming sweety things,since I tend to see the other side of the coin as well.It is this zeal for presenting variety- a change, that drives me on.Change alone is unchanging for me and it is this change that I bestow to myself and the world.In doing so,I may be sweety or salty,but I am always crispy.

Perumthachan- The Master Craftsman

(Speech :Project 1 from Storytelling Manual from the Advanced Communication Manual .Time 7-9 min)

Have you ever heard of a father being jealous of his own son? Fellow Toastmasters and distinguished guests good evening…

Perumthachan, the master craftsman was a renowned carpenter. God created mountains, valleys and beaches but He left it to Perumthachan to build marvellous temples, monuments and mighty palaces. All around him were awe-struck by his skills. They praised him aplenty but those praises could never match to the towering majesty of his constructions.

In his native place, the trustees of a temple entrusted him to build a huge lake near the temple. But the trustees could not come to an agreement on the shape of the lake. Some wanted it a square, some as rectangle, some as circle. Hearing the argument Perumthachan said “Don’t fight. I shall make a lake to suit all your ideas about shape: rectangle, square or circle.” So the lake was made; it seemed to have all these shapes when viewed from different directions. People bathing in the lake found it difficult to the directions. At some time after bathing they could not even make it to the lake side where they kept their clothes!

Perumthachan had a very talented son. After the lake was built he asked his father: “Will the people of temple have to cross the river to have a bath in the lake?” This question was so absurd, as the temple and lake was close together and the river was some distance away. Perumthachan scoffed “What madness are you talking? The river is so far away.” The son smiled and replied “Let’s see”. After few days it began raining in cats and dogs. By this heavy rain the river changed direction and began to flow in between the temple and lake. So as predicted by the son the temple stood on one side of the river and the lake on the other side of the river. The people gave up bathing in the lake as they had to cross the river. The seeds of a niggling professional jealousy were planted in the mind of Perumthachan.

Afterwards a bridge was built across the river by Perumthachan to help people cross the river. On one end of the bridge, Perumthachan placed a doll which performed a trick. When the travellers stepped on the other side of the bridge, the doll would go down the river. By the time the travellers reach the middle of the bridge the doll would immerse itself in water. Then it will take a mouthful of water. As the travellers proceed further the doll would start rising up. When the travellers reach near doll it would spit the mouthful of water to the travellers' face. The gullible travellers were dumbstruck and peeved at this. Perumthachan’s son saw what this doll did to the unsuspecting travellers and had an idea. He came up with another doll which he placed at the opposite side of the bridge. This doll also performed a trick. The moment a traveller entered a bridge, this doll would start moving ahead of the traveller. When they reach the other side of the bridge and when his father’s doll is ready to spit water into the face of the traveller, this doll would give a mighty slap to the first doll. By the effect of the slap, the face of the first doll would turn to the other side. So when it spits, the water goes back to the river and the traveller is saved from the spitting from the doll. Not only that it was feast for their eyes like seeing free circus performance. The people praised the son’s skill. This stirred up his jealousy. It aggravated Perumthachan. He felt that the each slap his doll received was on his face. It was like in son beating him in the face.

During one of his journeys, Perumthachan saw some carpenters in the process of building a temple. He went near them, but they did not pay any attention to him or try to include him in their work. When they had gone for lunch, Perumthachan drew a small line on all the rafters and left. The carpenters came back and thinking that the line was drawn by the master carpenter giving them an indication as to where to cut the rafters. They proceeded to work accordingly. When it was time to join the rafters and make the frame for the roof, they found out that all the rafters were shorter than the length needed. They were in a fix and the roof frame was not mounted. They were troubled but they continued with rest of the work. After a few days, Perumthachan came that way with wooden pieces in the shape of musical instruments. His son was with him. During the lunch recess when the other carpenters were not around, Perumthachan lifted the frame up, filled the gaps with the musical instruments shaped wooden pieces and gave it a solid thump. The rafters were joined together, holding the roof frame. Perumthachan was filled with pride. He told his son, “You see, son, how the rafters are held together as a frame.” The son gave a curt reply, “Yes, I did see and have learnt how to do it.” These words acted as oil to the fire of jealousy raging in the heart of Perumthachan. When the world respected him; his own son brought disrespect to him. This disrespect could harm his reputation adversely. The great among the greatest craftsman felt threatened by his son. The pinnacle of glory is so coveted that the fear of replacement from that throne is thorny. Like a politician’s quest , like a corporate rat race, the chase for the crown of grandeur is self defeating—and it shall remain so till lives cease to exist. So, one day while he was working on the roof of this temple with his son doing some work just below him, Perumthachan let a broad chisel slip and fall as though in accident. The chisel fell down and severed son’s neck. The blood that oozed out of his son’s neck might have put out the fire of jealousy in Perumthachan.

Over to you toastmaster.

(This story is depicted as it is in the Ithiyamala by Kottarathil Shankunni.I have also dependend on the translated version of the same )

Work From Home Proposal

(Speech:-5-7 min.This is a proposal made to the board of XYZ company.The audience were asked to taake the role of the board members.Project 3 of Persuasive Speaking from the Advanced Communication Manuals)

Distinguished directors and members of the board: a warm good evening to one and all.

This proposal seeks to reduce the operational costs of the company by work from home option to employees by providing laptops.

With the beginning of the economic recession, this company had taken stringent measures to cut down the operational costs. These measures were successful as the reduced operational cost added much to the company’s profit. But, with the sky still clouded with recession, it’s better to reduce the operational costs to the best possible extent. The time mandates so, even at the expense of considerable initial investment as the world economic crisis shows a lingering tendency. Even otherwise, without the crisis too, it’s a good idea to reduce the operational costs and increase the profit. The already implemented cost saving measures were mostly at the expense of employee satisfaction-like charging the employees for daily commutation. Cutting down further in the employee satisfaction can have drastic effects. Also, drastic can be the long run effects of maintaining the same level of operational costs as it exists now. This proposal, however seeks to cut down the operational costs along with boosting the employee morale.

For the work from home option, as mentioned we need to supply laptops to the employees. Among the 4000 employees of the company, 1000 employees already possess laptop. The rest of the 3000 employees need to be supplied with laptops replacing their desktops. At the current market rate, without considering any form of reduction it will cost the company 9 crore rupees for these 3000 laptops. At this point we need not even consider the possible revenue from the sale of 3000 desktops. It may also be noted that the existing desktops itself may require natural replacement in the due course. This should cause much reduction on the investment amount of 9 crore. Approving this 9 crore budget by this board is the first step in moving towards the work from home option .Then the existing strong management should be easily able to manage the work from home. If the proposal is approved now, then the laptops can be procured and the cost saving work from home can be implemented from the first quarter of 2010.

In the details, the proposal advocates to exercise work from home option for employees on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Effectively, this means employees would come to office only on Mondays and Thursdays. Status updates, meeting and rest of the activities should fall in these days. Clearing spacing of work from home days and work from office days will make easy management. With the monitoring and status updates it is unlikely that the productivity of the employee reduces. On the other hand, with improved work life balance, it can be expected that the performance shoots up. Another attribute that would aid high performance would be the reduced number of meeting which means less interruption in continuous flow of work. Thinking on the time that can be saved from the Bangalore traffic spanning from 2-5 hours a day should make any manager and employee happy. The energy they save would be an extra benefit.

Now let’s see the operational expense per day that can be saved on each work from home day. On the lowest expectations it would be 2 lakhs for the free lunch for 4000 employees with per person lunch rate set at Rs 40. Another 1 lakh for the evening snacks and dinner combined can be saved on the same lines. With a whole of lights, computers, lifts and ACs put to rest, on the electricity front another 12 lakhs can be saved per day. The extra charge required for the individual laptop network connection can be made up the reduced internet usages in the company. That makes a total of 15 lakhs saving per day. In addition the daily commutation expenses would fall into the employee’s pocket. Needless to say, it would make them happy. In a year on average we can expect 144 work from home days- 3 days per week and 4 weeks per month. In the way indicated, the company would save around 21 crore rupees in all year. That means, the end of first year itself can bring the company 12 crores net saving. In the subsequent years the net saving would 21 crores. Also it can be expected that the employee satisfaction too get accumulated over these years.

With all these aspects of operational cost saving and employee satisfaction, I call upon the board to approve this proposal.

Onto The Battlefield

(Speech 6-8 min.Project 5 from Persuasive Speaking ,Advanced Communication Manual)

“The Brahmastra mantra you learnt from me will not be useful to you when you need it”—Parushuram cursed Karna .He did so when he understood that Karna of the Kshetriya clan deceived him by saying he is a Brahmin.Parashuram knew that learning is of no use if one can’t apply it, even if it be the Brahmastra mantra. Same is the case with communication skills and leadership skills.

Fellow toastmaster and distinguished guests, good evening.

We gain communication and leadership skills from toastmasters. But there is no point in gaining higher and better skills if they are not to be applied. Of course in daily life situations, these skills will definitely help us. However, we should look beyond these to contribute to the word in all the ways we feel we can. I urge the inspirational speaker in you to go and inspire the world. I urge the motivational leader in you to lead the masses. I envision that the toastmasters go to every sphere of life and put their stamp there .We will then have toastmasters conjecturing new ideas changing the face of the world. We will have toastmasters leading social activites. We will have toastmasters making people laugh and feel better. Toastmasters is the practice ground. After the practice, where are the real matches played? Are you playing any real matches? Our mission should be “to go out of this 4 walled shell onto the outside world and contribute in every possible way through the skills we gained in toastmasters,”

The movement of toastmaster have inspired me tremendously. It inspired me to act on the passion I have on cinema. With friends I had spent hours discussing on movies. The leadership skills I attained in toastmasters helped me to form a film society called Lumiere Celebrations in Bangalore along with my friends. We are closely associated with Bangalore Film Society and working our way through. It’s not that everything we did there was successful. But the fire of passion rekindled in the furnace of toastmasters never died out. The determination persisted in me to apply the learnt skills amidst several failures.

The unending desire to apply the learnt skills in the battlefield of life has helped human kind attain remarkable feats. In the 1950s, few students from the Quarry Bank High school at Liverpool decided to learn guitar. They soon decided the learning was quite enough. They went for real action .They formed a band called The Quarrymen. They rehearsed their songs at the house of Shotton, one of the group members. They were shoed away by Shotton’s mother. She asked them to move somewhere to the back of the garden because she was irritated by the noise. Their music was all noise for her. On attempt to get a chance they sent several flyers to theatres and ballrooms and put up posters. What they could manage was just few intermission concerts. Even there, they were outshone by other bands. However, it was a beginning - a beginning of a journey to fame, glory and adoration. Adding few other friends, the founder of the Quarrymen band, John Lennon renamed the band as Beatles. The others in the gang were Paul McCartney, Ringo Star and George Harrison. The extent of idolizing them was of the kind unheard before and remains unrealized ever after. These gods of rock music were never satisfied by just learning music. They went ahead using the skills developed. And all the crowns of music cherished to adorn their heads.

Toastmasters itself provides us an opportunity in going to the outside world to apply our skills. We can go to different areas and spread this movement. One toastmaster took this opportunity to his heart and went on to conquer the hearts of people around him. In just 3 years he started 12 clubs among which 7 clubs he mentored. He started a mission to educate the facility staff of his company. He formed an association called ‘Joy of Giving’ * to help the underprivileged and the malnourished. His leadership skills helped it to expand like a banyan tree. In a short span of time there are 210 people actively involved in this mission. He went to 30 colleges and motivated the youth into action. He is associated with 2 rehabilitation centres where he inspires the drug addicts to fly free of all their addictions. The man who did all this is from our own fraternity, Sreekanthan Kumaraswamy.Yes, the same Sreekanthan whose lips were shivering like little leaves in a storm, whose heart was pounding like the beats of the Beatles, whose knees were jolting like a vibrating strings of a guitar , when he stood at this same lectern, 3 years ago to give his first ever words to a gathering. He could achieve all this through toastmasters; then we can also. We must. The skills we attain here are not meant to be put below the pillow for cosiness. Sword unused is no sword. The power of vision and words is the sword we possess. Lets us belligerently go onto the battlefield armed with this sword. Many battlefields beckon us. Our swords shall not remain useless. It shall script the renaissance of the people around us.

Over to you toastmaster.

(*Joy of Giving- www.meetup.com/joyofgiving )