EDITOR S DESK...

C L UB O F FI C ER S
Mr. Brahmaiah Manam, CC, CL President +91 99895 26262 bmanam@csc.com Mr. Madhu Garudala +91 96768 50202 VP Education mgarudala@csc.com Mr. Jayesh Kumar +91 8106737678 VP Membership jkumar30@csc.com

ear Toastmasters, Guests, and soon to be Toastmasters,

Greetings of the day! It's a whole new term at Toastmasters. I am sure, new leaders have taken over the reins of Toastmasters, clubs have conducted their first meeting of this term in the grant manner, new initiatives have started, clubs have set their expectations, and all lined up to target for "Presidents Distinguished club" if not for Golden Gavel. We are no different either. Welcome to this year's first edition of CSC Hyderabad Chapter Toastmasters newsletter. This new edition will give you glimpses of our club potential and leadership. We did this by bringing together insights and perspectives, blended with an equal measure of observation and reflection, from an array of leaders lead by the President of the club. This edition of newsletter also brings you words from leaders heart as straight from the gut, photo gallery, birthdays and new executive committee that will be leading the way. Since, change is the only constant, the newsletter committee always welcome and appreciate feedback, ideas, and contributions from our readers. Email your feedback, comments, or suggestions to RNANDIGAM@CSC.COM We hope you enjoy reading this newsletter as much as we did in making it.

VP Public Rela- Ms. Harshita A Tallam tions htallam@csc.com

Mr. Govind Naik +91 96038 43486 Secretary gnaik2@csc.com Mr. Ravikumar Nandigam +91 8897070989 Treasurer rnandigam@csc.com Mr. Sayyed Jani Mohammad +91 9160615757 Sergeant-at-arms smohammad@csc.com

In this Issue
Editors Desk... P2

From The Presidents Desk P3 The Road To Success Learn From The Leader Know TM Ice Breaker Straight From The Gut Picture Gallery P4 P5 P7 P8

Special thanks to TM Gayatri Gouda for helping the editorial team in meeting the hard deadlines. I take your leave for now with a quote Leaders are readers. The more you know, the less you fear. Enjoy the newsletter!

P9 P10

Editor Ravikumar Nandigam

New Executive Committee P12 Until next edition P13

CSC Hyderabad Chapter Toastmasters

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FROM THE
PRESIDENT S DESK

The difficulty is not in setting up an Organization and making plans; the test, the REAL TEST, of the leader, lies in holding widely different people together along the line of their common sympathies -- Swami Vivekananda CSC Hyderabad Chapter Toastmasters Club was officially chartered on 14th July 2006. Since then it has been marching towards greater heights and aiming for higher goals. As it would be for any other organization, our journey so far was not easy either. Five years ago, the venerable Lehman Brothers was dominant in investment-banking sector, Orkut ruled the social networking websites, Australia enjoyed its monopoly in cricket world and nobody might have imagined that a Black African will become the President of USA but now look at the sweet reality. Many organizations have collapsed and businesses failed for various reasons. But we, CSC Hyd Chapter Toastmasters Club, sustained. We sustained in a big way against all the odds. Now at this important juncture, when we are celebrating the 5th anniversary, I could vividly recollect the difficult phases where in we struggled to get the enough participation to host a meeting. But the Young and Potential Leaders @our club have decided 'Come what may, we should not cancel a single meeting' and we shall and will prevail against all the odds by working tirelessly towards shaping quality leaders excelling in Public Speaking. In today's fast-faced world we expect immediate results. I want to make it clear that like any other skill, Public Speaking and Leadership are to be learnt over a period of time with continuous efforts and with lot of practice. Toastmasters provide a platform to experiment and experience the results. Every Toastmasters club shares the same mission as defined in the following mission statement. The mission of a Toastmasters club is to provide a mutually supportive and positive learning environment in which every individual member has the opportunity to develop oral communication and leadership skills, which in turn foster self-confidence and personal growth. My fellow CSC-ians:

Our TM meeting schedule is from 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM (every alternate Wednesday). Our Club has 29 active members as of today, including 3 newly added members in this term. Club target this term (Minimum): CC: 6 CL: 4 ACB: 1

Humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust the senior management has bestowed, mindful of the tireless efforts put in by our past Leaders, let me reaffirm that we the current executive committee 'The Bold and the Beautiful' brimming with energy and enthusiasm pledge to take the club to greater heights serving you all to the best of our capacities. My special Thanks to the immediate past President TM Philip Abraham and his team for their service to the club and leading the club in difficult situations. We always value your efforts and my deepest regards for introducing next generation leaders in to the Club. In reaffirming the greatness of our 5 years heritage, we understand that greatness is never a given. It must be earned. Our journey has never been one of short-cuts or settling for less. It has not been the path for the faint-hearted - for those who prefer leisure over work, or seek only the pleasures of fame and fantasies. Rather, it has been the risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things - some celebrated but more often men and women obscure in their labor, who have carried us up the long, rugged path towards prosperity and progress. On behalf of CSC HYD Chapter TM Club, I salute all those legends who made us stand tall and the senior management who were always kind enough to understand our passion for personal growth. Happy Leadership! President Brahmaiah Manam, CC, CL
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CSC Hyderabad Chapter Toastmasters

By Zaara Nazneen

T H E RO AD T O SU CC E S S

Oh What a day that was! It has put me on the Road to Success. I am glad, that morning I came across an Ad Film that showcasing a product with the punch line "Road to Success". I was trying to figure out how the road to success would look like and, Yes, that was the moment I started, must say headed, towards that road. Not very long ago, I was awarded with the gold medal for the Best student of the year. This required me to speak in public gathering along with my co-stars. Simple task, it was !! All I had to do was to let people know how esteemed I was feeling but surprisingly I just managed to say Thank you and nothing more! It was not quite the way I dreamt. I was holding a certificate that says I am a top notch student but what is the point if I can't share my happiness or inspire others through my story in words? That moment made me to realize that my efforts turned out to be nothing but a worthless detour. What is missing? Am I travelling on the wrong path? Is there any path, which I never touched upon? I thought so. Discussions were always part of my life, but when it comes to public speaking I realized that I am not on the right track. Someone said, no matter how far you have travelled down the unknown path it is never too late to turn around. Sometimes, it takes a long time just to find the way to start, but despite the effort, that is the right thing to do.

CSC Hyderabad Chapter Toastmasters Club is my road to success. What is yours?

I read somewhere that the road to success is not straight. There is a curve called failure, A loop called confusion, speed bumps called friends, red lights called enemies, caution lights called family and you will have flats called jobs. But, if you have a spare called determination, an engine called perseverance, insurance called faith then you will make it to a place called SUCCESS. I was ready to put all the hard work, show determination and do the personal sacrifices required for this. But, still the question remains unanswered, where is the entrance for this road? The Ad film inspired me further to seek the answer and give a serious thought on reaching this road. That is when I found a Podium that showed the way and laid the foundation for my success. This podium helped me discovering my strengths, building confidence and self-esteem, overcoming the fear of public speaking, developing vital negotiation skills, working effectively in a team environment, acquiring leadership skills and most importantly meeting new people. Finally, with this resourceful change, I must say, I found myself on the Road to Success. CSC Hyderabad Chapter Toastmasters Club is my road to success. What is yours?

CSC Hyderabad Chapter Toastmasters

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Pack a punch with Rhetorical Devices

- Shivakumar Keskar, CL

Do you think I am the first person ever to write something on this? I wish, I really wish, to put to rest the misconception regarding rhetorical devices with this rudimentary write up. Have you thought how it would be, if I were to speak only in three word sentences? It would be drab, a real bore, an insult to your intelligence. In fact, it is not uncommon for you to think complex ideas that require long sentences to express. Dear reader, the above two paragraphs are full of rhetorical devices. We already know them and have been using them but we never knew their technical names. The purpose of this article is to familiarize you with some of these technicalities and to take a close look at how rhetorical devices can be used in your speeches and write-ups. What are rhetorical devices? Rhetorical devices are structures in the English language that help in communicating an idea effectively. A simple idea can become extremely persuasive, amazingly beautiful or just plain hilarious. Compare We must save the earth with We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children. The second sentence presents a different idea which triggers the thought of our responsibility in saving the earth. The second sentence is an example of a rhetorical device called Chaismus. Compare Say No to war with One nuclear bomb can ruin your whole day. The second sentence is humorous in a very serious way conveying the ill effects of war. The idea is very memorable due to its touch of humor. This second sentence is example of Understatement. In the examples given above, a simple idea is packed into one or more subsidiary ideas and delivered with flow and purpose. This helps you, not only bring emphasis to what you are saying or writing, but also adds beauty and aesthetics to your presentation. Rhetorical devices can broadly be of three categories. Association and Clarification The purpose of some rhetorical devices is to clarify an idea with the help of parallel ideas or examples. Similes, Analogies, Metaphors, Allusion, Distinctio etc. are some of the rhetorical devices that fall in this category. Modern English by modern, I mean post Samuel Johnson has spread across the world faster than ever before. [Distinctio] Arrangement, organization or transition There are sentences that may not follow the correct grammatical construction. This is done purposefully to emphasize certain parts of the sentence. Anacoluthon, Parataxis, Anaphora, Epistrophe etc. are related to sentence structures and construction. Not money, not love, not force, but willing diligence will help you master public speaking. [Anaphora] Decoration and Variety Repeating words or sounds add beauty to your sentences. Taking ideas that contradict each other add (Contd )
CSC Hyderabad Chapter Toastmasters

LEARN FROM THE LEADER

Shiv is part of CSC HYD TM club from past 4 years and is a role model whom we all aspire to be. He participated in club level and area level contests. One of the earlier ECs instituted a Star of the Club award and conferred him with that. That was a great honour..

Rhetorical devices are structures in English language that help in communicating an idea effectively.

There are over 60 rhetorical devices.

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Pack a punch with Rhetorical Devices (Contd !)

drama to your sentences. Alliteration, oxymoron, understatement etc fall in this category. I met with deafening silence as I entered the dark room. [Oxymoron] How should I go about using them? There are over sixty rhetorical devices. The technical names of these rhetorical devices are not important. However, knowing these sentence structures is very important. Some rhetorical devices are far more effective when spoken rather than when written. Rhetoric statements give ample scope for pause, voice variety and gesture. Read a lot, observe a lot, practice a lot. Develop familiarity with a wide range of rhetoric sentence forms so that you can pick the best fit when needed. It is not mandatory to use rhetorical devices. But once you have chosen to use them, pick the right kind of usage at the right place. Beware of overuse. Your speech or article can lose its fizz if replete with rhetoric. The final word The most powerful statements are the simplest ones. Well, maybe not always. What if you have to communicate to an audience that is ignorant of or apathetic to or unwilling to accept what you have to say? How would you interest and persuade them? How would leave your speech etched in their memories? Rhetorical devices are just what you need.

LEARN FROM THE LEADER

Read a lot, Observe a lot, Practice a lot

CSC Hyderabad Chapter Toastmasters

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By Ravikumar Nandigam

KN O W T M SH A S H AN K !

ow did you come to know about Toastmasters? I first heard of TM from the then Manager. That was about 3 years back. When did you join CSC TM club? I joined the Club about a year and half back. And have been with the club since then. While I knew about toastmasters earlier I got active due to Brahmaiah. And slowly built association with a lot of people in the club. They are all very good friends now. What motivates you to be part of TM from such a long time? Toastmastering is a lot about learning by doing. It's a good sweet club. The framework that the Toast masters international has set up is pretty simple and is fool-proof in many ways. And of course the many friends I have made over the year. What are your expectations from Toastmasters? A place where I can improve and in the process help others improve. An opportunity to show case my skills and acquire new ones. Know new people. How has been your experience with Toastmasters till now? Its been very very nice. Very fulfilling. There are a few speakers in the club whom I am a fan of; and few leaders whom I aspire to be like. How have your Leadership and communication skills grown since joining Toastmasters? This is a question you should ask my team. They would be the best people to answer this :)

How have these skills benefited your Professional and personal life? Big time in professional life. Incidentally, my journey as a manager and as a toastmaster started at the same time. And as I went along the way, my leadership skills were tested more and more. Every leaf I drew from the Toastmasters book, I implemented as a manager. Primarily, I should say that toastmasters helped me understand the difference between management and leadership. In personal life, no fights yet with my wife, have been married for the last 8 months. So, must have helped. Please touch wood. You are on the verge of completing CC and CL track too. How do you feel about it? Frankly, thrilled more than relieved. It's a mile stone and a way of quantifying the learning I had. In my past 1 year association with CSC HYD TM club, I have seen your presence in almost every meeting. Being a Manager and in middle of the client commitments always, please share your secret in making this possible? :) starts with a responsible team and a kind manager :). And a little bit to my passion to improve. And also as the VP PR of the club, which I was till 30th June, a little bit of responsibility. Any Message for Toastmasters and soon to be Toastmasters? This place will help you grow. Just motivate yourselves when things are hard. You may give a bad speech, you may be let down by someone. The fact that you have joined / shown interest in the club is in itself a sign of your will to improve. Keep it going. Push yourselves to do better. It's very easy to sit back and relax, but to put yourselves in a spot and then perform is something else. Each of you has potential to become a great speaker and a great leader. Take feedback positively and keep getting better. When things go bad, remember -- Dont give up; dont give in.
Thank you Shashank for your time and for the wonderful interview. It has been a pleasure to know more about you. (Signing off TM Ravi)

As an Active member, TM Shashank has served the club as the VP Public Relations officer for the term 2010-2011.

There are few speakers in the club whom I am a fan of; and few leaders whom I aspire to be like.

When things go bad, remember -Dont give up; dont give in.

But I am sure there has been an immense change in me. Fortunately, I have been a member of other oratory clubs during my college days. So, frankly I did not started my toastmasters journey at 0 on communications skills. But Yes, I have definitely made huge improvements. Speaking of leadership, In the last year or so, my understanding of leadership has changed rather evolved. Right now, I believe that leadership is a lot about enabling people, doing the right things, and not hesitating to do the right things. Toastmasters has given me a perspective and a framework, but one needs to customize things a little.

CSC Hyderabad Chapter Toastmasters

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ICE BREAKER

- Khushi Bansal

(Looking at the audience and smiling over) ummm You all might be wondering, why I am not speaking and just looking at all of you and smiling, right??!! (laughing) OMG! I thought I would be nervous for my CC#1, but thoughts are just imaginations. I am not at all nervous because all your cheerful attitude and smile already made me feel better. (smiling) Lets avoid those formal Hi and Hello as our smiles have already greeted each other. I am Khushi Bansal, now. I will walk you through the journey of my life from the minute I landed on earth to till now. Hmmm... JOURNEY!! sounds a bit scary. Something very matured, boring... like the history lectures in school!! Haha... but no wonder... that would not be the case here :) My lifeline, Mom and Dad. They are from Rajasthan and brought up in hot summers and sand with camels and chilled kulfi... yummy. They migrated to Hyderabad and god blessed them with an angel, me!! I was born and brought up in Hyderabad. I am so confident today because of the confidence and belief that my dear parents have in me. Every child would cry to go to school. I never cried to go to school but rather used to cry for lipsticks and bangles to carry them with me to school (laughing). I was so impossible that I gave empty paper in my Upper Kinder garden exams because my mom did not allowed me to carry lipsticks. As time passed, I came to understand few things and left lipsticks. But alas!! As I left one crazy thing ,another crazy thing caught me up. Lets see if you all can guess my new crazy thing by the end of my talk (smiling) I did my schooling from Seventh day Adventist high school and enjoyed a lot. I did my High Schooling from hey I remembered from schooling, I had a very good friend, Pratima, but then she disappeared after schooling (sad). She was one of her own kind. She was so notorious that every teacher used to be scared of her. Whenever we used to get an opportunity to come dressed in casual dresses, she preferred pink. Everything she had used to be in pink. Her bag, her shoes, her tiffin box everything. Later I met another girl, Khushbu, of the same kind. She refreshed all my memories with Pratima. Oops where was I? My high school I did my high schooling from Good Will High School. Nothing interesting in these years. Loads of books, exams and our elders telling us SSC is the turning point of life blah blah blah. We have been hearing that for every exam we wrote since then. Havent we? Gosh!! Need a break please. My Engineering gave me that break . I joined Vardhaman College of Engineering and those were my best days, next to school. Lots of fun, events, sports, college bunks, and one day battings before exams. That stress, tension uff nothing can get that time back. There comes another Turning Point of life. THE FINAL YEAR. The race to get a good job started and finally ended when I got selected in CSC and joined on 23rd July 2010. You might be wondering if I met another friend of that kind in my engineering. Yes I did. Of the same kind. Talkative, bubbly and ,most importantly, pink girl. I loved all my friends and have a very close and deep connection with all. And guess what!!! I met my friends Pratima and Khushbu here in CSC too! After meeting both of them I realized how close I was with them always. Is this meeting a coincidence or does this mean something? The truth is - Pratima in my school was then changed her name to Khushbu in her high school and later changed her name again to Khushi (smiling). Surprised!! Or Confused?? Remember my crazy thing next to lipstick I was talking earlier. My new crazy thing is changing names. Now I like the name Shagun but cant change because all my certificates have Khushi now (laughing) Do I have to introduce myself or I already broke the ice??? I think I already did :) Thank you
CSC Hyderabad Chapter Toastmasters

THE PINK GIRL

The most memorable thing about my Ice Breaker speech was The standing ovation I got from all my club members and guests - Khushi Bansal

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Straight From The Gut: Toastmasters Value Addition

Participating effectively in the Toastmasters club has several benefits to the employees & the organization, based on my personal experience & those of my team members. I have seen tremendous improvement in the communication & leadership skills of the participants. They have also become well rounded personalities as they tend to read & travel more as a part of the club activities. Participating in the club activities leads to improved networking & increased visibility. The improved confidence levels leads to improved performance in workplace. As an organization, employees who communicate well & show leadership qualities are the need of the hour & the Toastmasters fills this need by providing a platform to improve planning, organizing & presenting skills. Thanks to all the members who have contributed actively to the effective running of the Toastmasters club in CSC. I wish you all the very best to take it to greater heights. - Srinivasan Nallamar Bashyam, Lead - Project Management & Production Integration, CSC ****** Leaders inspire people through their outstanding and powerful speeches. How leaders make their speeches so strong and punch ? Simple, this is possible only through practice. "Toastmasters club" provides a platform to acquire and practice excellent public speaking and articulation skills apart from many other leadership skills. "Toastmasters club" produced many leaders across the world. - Ramki Bondada, Application Services Director, Zurich in Switcherland, CSC ****** Toastmasters is one of the very few clubs to encourage members to come and speak in front of a group of audience. The amazing part is that individuals can organize as a group within an organization or they can tag to existing clubs. I believe it is the right place for beginners who want to get away from the fear of public speaking in front of large audience. Also experts can benefit by sharpening their skills for leadership roles and work for the greater good of society. Personally, I gained a lot in terms of communication skills with my few interactions and I definitely believe Toastmasters is the club to go to in pursuit of personality excellence. - Sridhar Chunduri, CSC Delivery Centre Manager, Zurich in North America, CSC ****** Some believe, Toastmasters is simply a communication club that improves language skills, but, from my interaction with CSC Toastmaster club , it has several programs aimed at creating future leaders in all spheres. It is not a curriculum based. The more important idea is push everyone to excel in communication and to develop spontaneous thinkers and emerging leaders. Toastmasters activities really hone not only communication skills but also leadership skills and gives lot of confidence to dream big for one and all who are part of the club. I strongly recommend the toastmasters club to all the aspirants to look beyond day to day work. It allows people to be what they wanted to be. - Bharathi Yendluru, Sr. Manager Systems Administration, CSC
CSC Hyderabad Chapter Toastmasters Page 9

PHOTO GALLERY Cherishing the Past

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(Some of) CSC HYD TM founder Leaders Salute them!

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CSC Hyderabad Chapter Toastmasters

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PHOTO GALLERY ( C o ntd ! )

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Meeting #110 - Happy Birthday to CSC HYD TM Club

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Just born - Never too late to wish

TM Vijaya Lakshmi (14/JUL) VDEVABHAKTUN@CSC.COM

TM Shashank Bhavaraju (17/JUL) VBHAVARAJU@CSC.COM

Upcoming Birthdays - Mark your calenders

TM Navneeth Jhawar (1/AUG) NJHAWAR@CSC.COM

TM Tarakeshwar Venkata(4/AUG) TPENUMARTHI@CSC.COM

TM Harshita Tallam (10/AUG) HTALLAM@CSC.COM

CSC Hyderabad Chapter Toastmasters

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New Executive Committee - Leading The way

In the 1930's there was a young boy who had become addicted to and obsessed with eating sugar. His mother decided to get help and took the long and hot journey with her son walking many miles and hours under the scorching sun. She finally reached Gandhi ji and asked him to tell her son to stop eating sugar, it wasn't good for his health. Gandhi ji replied, "I cannot tell him that. But you may bring him back in a few weeks and then I will talk to him." The mother was confused and upset and took the boy home. Two weeks later she came back. This time Gandhi ji looked directly at the boy and said "Boy, you should stop eating sugar. It is not good for your health." The boy nodded his head and promised he wouldn't. The boys mother was puzzled. She asked "Why didn't you tell him that two weeks ago when I brought him here to see you?" Gandhi ji smiled and said "Mother, two weeks ago I was eating a lot of sugar myself." The leader knows how to walk the talk and show that there is a better way. A special Thanks to TM Philip - President (2010-2011) - past executive team and all the Leaders for "Walking the Talk", believing in Success doesn't mean "I" better than "U" but it is "WE" together having better Tomorrow than Today, and giving us the opportunity to lead the way. - Executive Committee (2011-2012)

Brahmaiah Manam, CC, CL President (2011 - 2012)

Madhu Garudala VP Education (2011-2012)

Harshitha Tallam VP Public Relations (2011-2012)

Sayyed Jani Mohammad Sergeant at Arms (2011-2012)

Jayesh Kumar VP Membership (2011-2012)

Govind Naik Secretary (2011-2012)

Ravikumar Nandigam Treasurer (2011-2012)

CSC Hyderabad Chapter Toastmasters

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Until Next Edition stay tuned!

News Letter Archives:

The CSC HYD Chapter TM Clubs Speakers pen Volume 1 and Volume 2 news letters are available from the below links. Please do consider reading them in your leisure time to know more about the club. Speakers pen volume 1: http://www.scribd.com/doc/60468348 Speakers pen volume 2: http://www.scribd.com/doc/60468479 For day to day updates, we are live on facebook group: CSC Hyderabad Toastmasters Club.

We value your contributions:

Whether you are a CSC HYD TM club member, guest or a member of other club, we always value your feedback and contributions to our newsletters. Submit your article ideas or suggestions to our editorial team at RNANDIGAM@CSC.COM. Let your writings be heard!

What to expect next?

Around 5 years back a seed was planted. It has now become full grown tree. The fruits of which are received by many. The CSC HYD TM Club is celebrating 5 years of leadership & public speaking on 22/JUL/11. As part of this big event, the new EC is recognizing and rewarding those leaders who have paved way to make this happen. The next news letter will be covered with this event along with articles and insights from various leaders. Till then, stay tuned!

CSC Hyderabad Chapter Toastmasters

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