ToastMasters Speech 1: My Introduction

Shuklaambara Dharam Vishnum
Shashi Varnam Chatur Bhujam
Prasanna Vadanam Dhyaayet
Sarva Vighna Upashaanthaye

A small prayer for the occasion. This famous sloka sung for Ganesha. Lord Ganesha is the one, who is worshipped first for every occasion. Even before the prayers, we do one small act. We light a lamp. My name signifies “light” and I am Deepak. My name was chosen by mother, who picked the name from a Kannada novel.

A warm welcome to the President of the Club, Fellow Toastmasters and everyone present here for the first meeting of “SAP Speak to Lead Toastmasters Club”.

I am Deepak, a hard core Bangalore an. I love this city. This city breeds a lot of young minds and allows them to express their exuberance. The best part about the city is its people and the climate. People are extremely hospitable and climate is not too far behind either. The Software hub of India, The Silicon City – I’m bitten by the bug too. A Software Engineer by Profession and still doing a lot of soul searching.

There are three stories from my life, that I would like to share with you all today.

First is the story of “My Childhood”. We lived in a locality filled with 1BHK houses. There were approximately 20 houses and lots of children. The best part was an empty site to play. We would play all day in the field. In a site sized 60*60, we would have more than 11 fielders. Imagine pinching a single in such a set up. Falls, blood, getting scolded by parents was like breakfast, lunch and dinner probably. We dint leave the dark nights either. That was filled with caroms, hide n seek, kabbaddi and Monopoly. The exuberance of being with friends in outdoor games is something awesome. Even 1/- rupee was pocket money back then and we planned to spend it. Work Life Balance at its best. We worked at school and we balanced the play amongst different games. Goosebumps…. Even now. Those times don’t fade.

The second story; A story of learning to drive. A teenager’s story. My first set of wheels, was not a cycle – not a CBZ – but a second hand Luna. The first was to my college. That being the first day I took out that far, I took it out at around 7 30 AM in the morning. This is early 2000’s and the roads were still little empty, unlike today where we have cabs around the clock. I was riding on the extreme right. A driver from a BMTC bus, popped his head out and called out “First time aa”. I smiled and he told very politely, be to your left. This happened right in front of the Vidhana Soudha. These were the times of 17’s and 18’s. A crush every new day and when we start looking out for the eyes, beauty, smile and so on. Leaves a smile, when you think how stupid some thoughts were. But the beauty of it, is the thought of being lost. Exuberance of Youth begins here.

Third and the last story that I want to share is something – that stays close to my heart with every passing day. We had been to an orphanage, which takes care of children infected by AIDS. The day began by making the kids play and making an effort to make it special for them. As we were playing with a few kids, a child arrived neatly dressed and someone, who you would immediately take notice of. The child was stout, not grown to its age. The limbs were curved and fingers not fully grown. This girl got a ball, which she kept bouncing; without getting tired. The ball would bounce away and she would jump to not allow the move away from her. At last, I went to her and asked; what do you do during your school time. I expected, her to tell she simply would be around the school. She could have easily done that. The answer was “I study”. The Nun there told me that she had the best writing and topped the class. I was left shell shocked. I kept watching this child for the rest of the day. Exuberance of Life – was what I learnt that day.

She left a lasting impression, for life. We crib, we give excuses and we cry for not getting things in life. This girl did not get Life !!!..  But the girl was so strong, at one look – she would command respect. I will not leave this story incomplete. Her name was “Rani” – A Real Queen – The best example I could put forth for Exuberance.