Session 151

This was a slim and stylish session, this session 151.

The session was kicked off before time by TM Raja, who was standing in for TM Viswa, with a lot of energy.

TM Chaitanya delivered the welcome address, relating the story of Tanaji, the military chief under Shivaji, who completed the commitment of conquering a fort against heavy odds because he had committed to his king and to his mother that he would do so. Therefore, members, do take inspiration from this and carry out a speech or a role once you have committed to it.

TMOD Swati, resplendent in red, soon put of a red cap to complete her enactment of Secret Santa, who came bearing gifts for everybody. Her theme “Surprise” was also a surprise. She introduced all role players conveying their answers to what was their biggest surprise and which surprise in their life turned into a shock. We were also treated to a host of revelation.

Timer TM Sumesh explained the timing criteria very efficiently for all the roles.

Wordmaster MTM Sandhya introduced the word CRISP to the audience, very relevant in the Toastmaster milieu, where our communications are expected to be succinct.

Jokemaster TM Bhaskaran related some real life funny situations from his childhood student days, which was a change from the litany of internet jokes.

There was an ACB level speech scheduled today: Interpretive reading of Poetry. MTM Vidya Rani from SAB Toastmasters Club described the criteria of this project, wherein the speaker was supposed to understand and analyse a poem and then read out the same in order to communicate effectively the poet’s thoughts and emotions.

TM Rajat delivered this project speech, by reading a poem titled “The Highwayman” by Alfred Noys, a romantic ballad. Being a narrative, it was an interesting story of love, adventure and betrayal, set in pleasing rhyme and rhythm.

Table topics were conducted by MTM Vaishali, who provided topics based on the theme of surprise.

Evaluator MTM Vidya Rani gave her feedback on the project speech, applauding the choice of poem, effective reading of the descriptions and conveying the free flow of narrative. She suggested enhancement of the drama further through vocal variety, given the scope of the poem.

Grammarian MTM Panna gave detailed feedback of word-of-the-day usage. Ah-counts, good and bad usage of English.

GE MTM Rita diligently gave crisp feedback on all role-players. She had the following suggestions:

•             Timer – To hold up card in addition to the lights, to aid visibility.
•              Jokemaster – To give a pause between the funny stories.
•       Table topics – To read out the topics himself/herself. Also, to put the pull-out slips in an envelope for easy handling.

TM Chaitanya conducted the business session, volunteering to be the next TMOD.

President Rajat wrapped up the session with the following announcements:

• With the last COT2, the club now had 7 points and has become a Select Distinguished Club.
• As Ruwi Club had sponsored a new club (Assyad), we have received a Founder’s Award ribbon, which went up on the banner.
• TMs Saleem, Bhaskaran and Sethuraman had been part of a cricket team (Manager was TM Raja) that had taken part in a cricket tournament last Friday and reached the Semifinals. TM Saleem showed a small video clip of the same while AD Murthy presented TM Raja with a small gift.

The day’s awards were as follows: 

• Best Speaker:             TM Rajat {default)
• Best Evaluator:           None (only evaluator disqualified on time)
• Best Table topic:        TM Yashpal and Guest Daya
• Best Role player:        MTM Panna (Grammarian)

See you all next session on 29.12.18.

Session 150

150.

100+50

15x10

Whichever way you look at it - an impressive number. It seemed only yesterday that we were celebrating our 100^th session at Mumtaz Mahal. Although we did not conduct festivities today, saving it for a later session when attendance was expected to be better, it was a joyous occasion nonetheless, celebrated by a marathon session of 4 speeches.

The session was kicked off on the dot by the SAA TM Viswanath, who stole the Wordmaster’s thunder by introducing the word "sesquicentennial", which means 150^th.

President TM Rajat related a story about a thirsty man who found a dry pump and a bottle of water and had the choice of drinking up the water or priming the pump, using it and leaving the bottle full of water again for the next traveller. Choices face us all the time and we make a right choice when that choice gives long term benefits for a greater number of people.

TMOD Venkat, the ever energetic and enthusiastic TM, took up the theme of “Comfort Zone”, giving us tips on getting out of it and introducing role players by asking them their take on handling comfort zones. A very well-run session, with energy and humour maintained throughout.

Timer role was played by MTM Shobha, who explained the criteria. Nowadays we have started using the Airtimer brought by DTM Varma from the US. Becoming quite tech savvy, we are.

Wordmaster TM Shanavas introduced the word EBULLIENT to the audience, who enjoyed using the word in the round robin, happily.

Jokemaster MTM Vaishali related a few excellent jokes, some of which we had not heard earlier at all.

That brought us to the beginning of the speech marathon. Evaluator TM Viswa first related the criteria of a Level 1 Project 2 speech for the first two speeches.

TM Sethuraman delivered the first speech titled “The Institution”, describing the broad functions of the leading financial institute in India, the RBI. It was extremely interesting and he threw in a question-and-answer session as well. Trust TM Sethuraman to do something different and free-flowing.

TM Sumesh delivered his speech titled “Jayanti-Janta Express”, describing a difficult train journey he undertook when he was 19, delivered in an endearing and humorous manner. You touched our hearts TM Sumesh.

TM Kumar, who was about to evaluate the next speech, a P4 from the old manual, described the criteria. Meant to showcase expressive language, we were all agog to hear some exquisite descriptive prose.

Nor were we disappointed. MTM Usha, the speaker, described to us “The Break” that she had undertaken, a picnic to a wadi in a group that provided ample opportunity for her to bring alive the scenery and sensual feels of nature and the barbecue. She played the scope to the hilt and the descriptions were a treat to hear.

TM Ramalingam, about to evaluate a P6 speech from the old manual, told us that the speech was about showcasing vocal variety and the speaker will probably choose a subject that helped him do that.

TM Raja, the singer, made full use of his opportunity. With the backdrop of Pattaya and Phuket, he enacted the hilarious scenes reproducing the thin voices of the Thai people as well as the anxious chatter of people about to miss a flight. His title was mysterious : “A=C+B”. I learnt later that it meant Achieving = Conceiving + Believing, which he did not get time to explain during the speech; so that’s my twopence added.

Just as we were about to draw breath after that large variety, in we went into Table Topics conducted by MTM Niral in her own style of picking up cards while flipping through a book. Three speakers attempted her topics, none of which were un-speakable, and the audience enjoyed 10 minutes of intellectual talk.

Evaluators gave their feedback to the four speakers, praising their efforts and suggesting points of improvement.

Grammarian MTM Swati gave very extensive feedback (4 pages of them) that were seriously noted by all. A sweet school-marm indeed.

TM Saleem as GE gave a glowing feedback on the session, only suggesting that long sessions like this can incorporate the break in between; otherwise people start popping out to visit the washroom, disturbing the proceedings. A good point indeed GE.

President Rajat, before giving his closing address, conducted the Business session too for the next session (TM Sethu as TMOD with speeches expected from MTM Swati, TM Lawrence and TM Viswa). He then declared the awards for the day:

·       Best Speaker:          TM Raja

·       Best Evaluator:       TM Kumar

·       Best Table topic:    TM Lawrence

·       Best Role player:    TM Swati (Grammarian)

See you all on 22.12.18. And do start preparing for the contests in Jan.