Chennaiite V N Subramanian, a resident of Mylapore for the past 30 years, can add another feather to his cap as he was recently awarded the Distinguished Toastmaster award, the highest recognition by Toastmasters International 13 October.
Toastmasters International (TI) is a non-profit educational organisation that operates clubs worldwide for the purpose of promoting communication, public speaking and leadership skills.
Subramanian speaks about his association with this organisation that has over 3 lakh members worldwide. “It was started in 1924 in California by Ralph C Smedley,” he says. “I joined the Toastmasters in 1984. So, I have been a part of it for nearly 35 years.”
Subramanian is the president of Tamizhootru Bilingual Toastmasters Club and is chartered president of Medley Toastmasters Club. He is also the president of Mylapore Residents Welfare Association (MRWA).
“The Toastmasters Club is the one of the best organisations that helps people improve their communication,” he says. “I feel that the final card for personality development is communication.”
He says that at the club, members are made to speak and the way they converse in front of an audience is evaluated by the senior members of the club. “Even during a general meeting, when a person speaks, the senior members evaluate,” adds Subramanian, a civil engineer by profession.
He says that the members awarded for different categories need to accomplish a set of projects. “Now we have introduced something called Pathways learning program. There are 10 such programs – like for example, leadership training,’ says Subramanian.
Subramanian also helps interested people start clubs in their own locality and also offers speeches at educational institutions. “I feel that the current education system doesn’t help improve one’s communication skills,” he says. “But forums like Toastmasters Club helps them to re-educate.’
He adds, “This club offers purification of heart and sublimation of the mind.”
Subramanian can be reached at 9840613799, or email [email protected]