JOIN USRaising a toast to life
Years may wrinkle the skin, but to give up enthusiasm wrinkles the soul’. This phrase is the belief of Gaurav Murali, the current president of Mecon Communication Club, the fourth oldest Toastmasters club in the country.
The 21-year-old student of Bangalore Institute of Technology ably leads the club that is dedicated to the art of public speaking, just like its counterparts around the world.
Gaurav joined it in 2012 thanks to his sister Pooja. “We got to know her success stories and there was no way that I couldn’t have joined. I was always into debating but realised that I needed to be more impromptu in my approach, rather than preparing for hours. Toastmasters teaches you to structure the fluidity of your thoughts and what you deliver,” he says.
Started in 1998 by UK Sharma, who was working as the HR of Mecon, a public enterprise, Mecon Communication Club was first meant only for the employees of Mecon. But it soon spread its wings out for the others. Recalls AK Prabhakar, another founder member, “I was working in Mecon and it started as a corporate club for ‘Meconians’.” Till date, he is one of the most regular members. Ask him what keeps him going and he says, “People think communication is a natural process but it’s not. You have to learn it the hard way just like cycling or swimming. I thoroughly enjoy conveying my thoughts or ideas at every meeting. Dealing with different situations has its own specifications and that’s what I learn from the club.”
Another young member Supreeth joined the club a year ago and has had a “fast track” journey. “I was aware of the club but it took me sometime to join. Your growth here depends on how fast your journey is rather than how long it is,” he notes.
Ajay Chitharanjan represented the district at the prestigious semi-finals of World Championship of Public Speaking of Toastmasters held in Las Vegas in August 2015. For this, he had to win the club, area, division and South India-level competitions.
“It was amazing to be in Las Vegas. There were people from over a 100 countries. My speech was on ‘Be Like Water’, which is a popular quote by Bruce Lee. It’s all about water taking the shape of the container and that’s how we should be — not remove obstacles from our lives but flow around them.” Ajay feels that his “personality went to the next level thanks to the club”. “After all, it’s not about speaking but the ability to express which is truly empowering,” he notes. Another distinguished member is Nagaraj Rao, who has been elected as the International Director of Region 13.
Zaveena, a professional, calls Monday blues as “Monday glee”, thanks to the meetings that are held every Monday. “We often raise toasts in our community and during an occasion, I was amazed to hear my uncle’s speech. He is a distinguished Toastmaster and told me all about the purpose of Toastmasters. I had always wanted to speak the same way on stage and discovered this club close to my house,” she says.
After excelling in the written word, freelance content writer Pratibha thought it was time for her to excel in speaking too. “I have never had stage fear but then, speaking on stage in front of people is different from holding a one-on-one conversation. Thanks to this club, I learnt to speak confidently and though I have become better, I want to be improve my impromptu and humourous speeches,” she says.
Sandeep, who is an employee of Mecon, also joined the club to improve his communication skills. “I wanted to present myself with more confidence and learnt about this club thanks to my colleagues,” he says. “At every meeting, you have something to learn. You meet people with an inspiring personality and I have learnt a lot since I joined in 2011. Now, I am also learning to give it back,” he adds. The Mecon Communication Club meets every Monday between 5.45 pm and 7.45 pm in the Mecon office in Basavanagudi. For details, call Supreeth on 9535162926.