Star Clusters Vol 5 Newsletter

Contents Topics Page No Newsletter Committee 3 Excom Members 4 Editors Desk 5 President Address 6 Memebers Articles 7 Members 16 Achievements 18 Club Highlights Club Sessions 20 Area 17 Felicitation 22 Physical Excom Meet 25

Newsletter Committe TM Bromine Stantly TM Roja Tammu TM Aman Mohammed TM Gokul Nair

EXCOM 2021-22

Editor’s Desk Our first newsletter of 2022 comes TM Bromine during an obscure time. Whilst Chief Editor optimistic about the year ahead, we continue to wade through global events, firstly pandemic and then Ukraine war as if its just another branch in our way. Let me bring to you however, some light to this dark water. We’re connecting again. Face to face interactions and learning had rolled their way. Its heartening to hear from students and academics just how much they are enjoying seeing and learning from each other. We Toastmaster enjoy every week’s club sessions which provide a good work-life balance. Our time together inspires and assists us to continue to innovate. Our Galaxy Toastmasters had passed 100 sessions last year. Keep an eye on the creative articles crafted by our star clusters. I thank the newsletter committee who strived behind the success of this newsletter. This star clusters of Galaxy will continue to shine through their innovative effort and inspire us all.

President’s Address TM Kapil Venkatachalam President As a leader I always believe to let the team move ahead. I take the blame and let the team enjoy the fame. From Treasurer to VPE to accidental or incidental President. Today, as President of the Galaxy Toastmaster Club, I am learning to put one foot in front of the other and to leave my fear behind the door. I walk into a future that I had never imagined and my only objective is to share my narrative and empower others to follow suit. Can I be a good leader – I always wondered. There is never a perfect club, perfect team. Learn, adapt and enjoy the fruits of learning. Our goal at Galaxy Toastmasters is to create a welcoming, affable, and supportive space to help each member grow and learn. We try to give you the tools to catapult you to a better you. Our club Galaxy - An amalgamation of experienced members, new members, members who work in corporates, entrepreneurs, fresh graduate students, authors, storytellers, and everything in between is what you will find at our club. Our aim is to help you meet and exceed your personal speaking and leadership goals and have fun in the process. As President, I believe \"You give your best and we will also give our best. Enjoy the Toastmasters ride, it is a journey\". Let us create a club with an atmosphere where all get a chance to enrich their communication and leadership skills while learning, building confidence, and having fun. Let us enjoy the ride together

Articles Contest - The Game Changer TM Preeti Kapil This year I did not know how I came 2nd in Club in Humor. I got a feedback there is no July 2020, I joined Galaxy Club. In December humor at all. All we could do is just smile we had club contest. All had no choice but to seeing you. I did not want to participate in participate. I failed terribly in Mock. I did not Area. I almost gave up on my humorous want to participate in Club contest. I told speech. Then a thought came, “Preeti, are myself, “Preeti, this is not your cup of tea. you again afraid of failure? Don’t participate and become a fool again. People will laugh at you.” I hesitated. I decided Look, where you were and now where you not to participate. One day my mentor TM are?” I took all criticisms and feedback, Nandini was discussing with me about contest. thought day & night, changed my script. And then? I won the Area Humorous Speech. I opened out my apprehensions. She asked Again, I couldn’t accept. I had self-doubt, me to give same project speech that I gave in “Was I that good?”. Later I made up my club. Since I had already given the speech in mind. Decided not to give up. DTM Cyprian club and got a good feedback, I made up my arranged a practice session in his club from mind to participate in club contest. I further where I got valuable feedback. DTM Saiju refined my speech taking inputs from senior again helped me by giving his inputs. Every members of our club. And there I go! I won the time I practiced, I got disappointed with my International Speech @ club. This win lifted performance. But I did not stop. Today I am my confidence. Now its Area level. Again, I the 1st Runner Up (Humor) in Division. This worked on the same speech with more year I also came 2nd in International speech tweaks. And yes! I again won in Area. Now it at Area level. The person who stood rock was Division. I did not stop putting efforts. I solid behind me was DTM Shreeraman again tweaked a lot in my script, worked on Vadhyar. Gratitude! is all I have. body language, worked on pauses etc. My Galaxy team along with guidance from DTM Shreeraman Vadhyar and DTM Saiju Victor helped me to win the 2nd Runner up (International) in Division.

TM Preeti Kapil Many people ask me, “What do you gain from all this? How much are you getting paid? Is it helping you in anyway? Aren’t you wasting your time and energy?” My only answer is my Silence. All I request you is, if you feel happy, if you feel confident, if you feel courageous in the process of your Toastmasters journey, Do Not Stop

Do you love outdoors? Here is the go A love for outdoor activity made us go for a trip to Sidab for a hiking experience. Sidab is a village in Muscat, in Northeastern of Oman. Being the land of mountains, oases and seas, Oman is a country of scenic beauty. Sidab trial is a spot located at the heart of Muscat city. We planned for a weekend hike on 29th of January 2022. TM Bromine We reached the downhill at 6.30am and The trek also gives you access to a started climbing. For kids, it was a couple of beautiful beaches that look journey of excitement and exploration. perfect for snorkeling. It was a coral There was a young surprise with us, beach with many sea-urchins on the four-year-old, Karen who had amazed shore. It was one of the oldest corals all of us, as she was described as the in Muscat coastline. youngest one to climb the hill. It took 1.5 hours to reach the end point. Overall, it was an amazing experience with family. Tremendous thanks goes At first, it was a rocky mountain and to Stanly, Biju for taking us to this afterwards, it became steep uphill with variety location and bringing the joy of narrow way. They had hooked some outdoor activity ladders and ropes to get a grip. The trek takes you through the mountains and rugged coastline of the village, passing through number of gorgeous beachheads and hills with stunning views throughout. The trek isn’t straight- forward, easy to navigate with loose rocks and steep slopes, increasing risk of falling down cliffs. Although, we were with jackets and sweat-shirts, heat caused us to remove them..

Embrace the change The beginning of any change is also the end of something. Whether a relationship changes or a job ends, we often find ourselves at a moment when a phase of life comes to an end. It feels a lot like the ending of a chapter in a book. TM Yasser Said Al Maskari Finally, the sudden shift to Online sessions has also allowed for greater Change isn’t easy. When something familiarity with, and acceptance of, shifts, a lot of different emotions can digital learning tools among members come up. It can be confusing, stressful, of toastmasters. or just plain scary. You can experience sadness, or a bit of numbness. Currently life goes back to normal as before crises. So, we are again to However, you need a little courage, and prepare for change. We can slowly be patient with yourself. Although scary see an increasing number of at first, small steps, over time, can lead Toastmasters clubs returns to the to huge changes. physical meeting. In my opinion to build better communication I always It has been two years since the prefer face to face sessions. It can be experience of Online sessions in more efficient, since you can hash Toastmasters due to the Pandemic things out in one conversation. Also, feels more intimate. Always this experience of online sessions. remember, small steps, over time, can Online sessions and home confinement lead to huge changes. have fundamentally transformed the way in which members engage with toastmasters’ sessions. This novel experience has also prompted us to reimagine the purpose of Toastmaster program. We have learned much from experience of online session

WHY EGO? Well, we all have ego inside us, isn’t it? But if we vent out our ego to anyone then we have 100% chance that we will break that relationship forever… Now why does Ego occur? Well, it occurs when our anger grows to a person and we try to avoid them at any cost like even though we see them outside but then we totally avoid them like not trying to make any eye contact etc. TM Gokul Nair Now here if the family has not gone to his/her friend’s house or the friend has not which can further lead to a very bad invited them they start feeling that “Oh! impression within us and the others. To His/Her family has come and not called me control our ego, we need to be always till now saying that his/her family is here” calm and polite to others whom we know. When these types of thoughts go into their If we’re having some hatred towards a mind the Ego starts building up and hatred particular person or family we need to towards them builds. control our emotions and ego and let go of them and behave in a friendly manner. This leads to many problems in their We need to avoid conflicts between each friendships. They stop texting, calling or other and stay neutral in our actions. even while they meet in a public with their Now why does these ego come?? Well common friends in restaurants, they there are multiple factors for a person to separate their selves from each other and build in Ego. sit, talk or interact less with them etc. And Example– if a person has a friend and this continues all the time until they realize that friends family comes for a visit from that for simple reasons and aboard there are chances that the friend misunderstandings they fought with each will go as a guest to each and other. So if we build misunderstandings everyone’s house to show them that and doubt anyone or build Ego for no his/her family has arrived from aboard or reason and blame others for everything in people call them for lunch/dinner as relationship as well as in friendships the their family has come to visit. person who has Ego & Hatred suffers a lot and especially hurt others who wish to talk them and get back with them again like how they were before. So, I’m ending this with a famous quote: “When the Nails grow, we cut nails not fingers. Similarly, when misunderstanding grow up, cut your Ego not your relationship.”

Meditation through Mandala Art TM Meenaa The first mandalas appeared around the first Sankaran century B.C.E. and spread throughout Asia with Buddhist monks who traveled the Silk Road. There are three layers to a mandala's meaning: the outer, inner, and secret meanings. Common symbols used in mandalas include the wheel with eight spokes, lotus, and bell. In the ancient Sanskrit language of Hinduism and Buddhism, mandala means “circle.” Traditionally, a mandala is a geometric design or pattern that represents the cosmos or deities in various heavenly worlds. “It's all about finding peace in the symmetry of the design and of the universe,” Mandala art is now most often used in art therapy, doodle art, and decorative arts. Despite the fact that not too many people are part of Asian religions, some spiritual symbols of these religions have become associated with self- love, inner balance, and positive thinking.

Journey from Extraordinary Introvert to Ordinary Introvert Our lives are filled with moments where we have to make a decision whether we continue doing what we do or take a step to change it. We always like to walk the road which is extensively travelled. For me the Toastmasters journey was the road less travelled. We often associate doubting steps like these when we opt to sign for any advanced degree or even taking up a new job. When I joined nearly two years ago I hadn’t imagined that joining Toastmasters would be just one of those decisions. TM Kapil for the audience to connect and let the thoughts sink Venkatachalam in. Stories can be weaved or created but some stories are narrated from the heart. There can be an instant First and foremost, let me be clear toastmaster has connect. The pathways and speech projects in nothing to do with some sort of cooking or roasting. Toastmasters allow me to research and present Toastmasters International is a non-profit educational different things. At Galaxy Toastmasters club the aim is organization that teaches public speaking and to grow and support others’ growth. Sometimes we leadership skills through a worldwide network of clubs. are preoccupied with thoughts like “How do I look?”, The organization has helped people from diverse “Am I saying the right thing?”, “How will people backgrounds become more confident speakers, perceive me during my speech?”, etc. But the relaxed communicators, and leaders. club session and freedom of expression allowed at Galaxy Toastmasters eases any nerves. My fellow Gestures, vocal variety, eye contact are some elements toastmasters give me an evaluation of my speech which I learnt. It made me realize that public speaking is which helps me understand how I’m perceived. not just writing a speech and delivering it, but it’s also about being aware that these factors can make or break a speech. Memorizing my speeches made me feel very phony. Although the thoughts and writing were mine, delivering a memorized speech would always prevent my natural flow of words. Through Toastmasters, I realized it’s okay to pause. In fact, pauses can be a great way to connect to the audience as they provide an opportunity

TM Kapil Venkatachalam As much as I enjoy giving a speech and receiving feedback, I absolutely love being an evaluator. Another interesting part of the meeting is the table topics session. It is fun to be a table topics master and put people on the spot. When you ask table topics questions, you not only learn about the other person but you also create that environment for them to practice thinking on the feet. Evaluating proficient speakers, delivering my speeches, and hearing amazing stories has made me into a more critical thinker. I hope to contribute back to this strong Toastmasters community albeit in my own minuscule way!

Greatest Enemy Enemy is someone that is consider a hostile to something or someone. These days having an enemy is so common that for almost everything we do, we have some sort of an enemy.. TM Aman Mohammed But it's a good thing when you find enemies on The key to defeating my greatest enemy is to your way because in video games, you’re going in be my best self and the time I realised that the right directions when you are facing your working on myself and being my best self is enemies on your path only going to me further and nothing more. It also makes me a better person than what I was I think everyone has one great enemy, it could be yesterday. a person or a thing or a habit. Well, I think my greatest enemy is myself. It has always been me Well, this is probably going to be like a never versus me. It could be either the fact how I have ending battle with my “greatest enemy” but been from the past few days or years, or the fact it’s keeps me going forward to a newer day, how I’m the reason for my own failure, which a chance to make myself better as it goes. makes me my own enemy.

MEMBERS ACHIEVEMENTS

MEMBERS ACHIEVEMENTS

CLUB HIGHLIGHTS







AREA 17 FELICITATION CERMONY

AREA 17 FELICITATION CERMONY

AREA 17 FELICITATION CERMONY

PHYSICAL EXCOM MEET