Beer is a beer - by Venkat Raghavan

*What can beat a good beer drinking experience?*

The answer is best Beer drinking experience preceded by a brewery tour education.  

If anyone ever thought “a beer is a beer is a beer, so what dear?” a trip to Geist factory is all you need… to be clear! 

It happened almost unplanned.  Ashok had asked for a smaller lunch meeting (four of us) before the evening gala he hosted.  I wasn’t sure if we needed it.  We spoke and then Ashok called back to say we are going with Mohan for a brewery tour.  Exactly what I wanted!  Mohan had deferred his joining a weekend getaway with friends to accommodate the brewery tour.   

I am a beer drinker.  I know what goes in a beer.  That is what I thought.  But as Mohan took us through the various stages of beer making, my elementary education precipitated like the unwanted residue after the beer brew is ready, and my knowledge was aglow like the golden liquid of Geist beer.   Sparkling too!   

In short, this is what happens in the brewing process.  Malt is the basic ingredient of a beer.  Malt is nothing but a grain (barley, wheat for instance) that has been allowed to germinate, but stopped prior to full sprouting.  This -stopping of continued germination- is done typically by roasting the grain.  Malting allows the releasing of grain’s sugars easier.   The next is the process of mashing when the malt is mixed with water and is heated and churned.  The resulting sweet liquid obtained is called wort (a new term I learnt yesterday).  Then the wort is moved to another large vessel where it is mixed with Hops.  (Hops is a herb, a plant that is a cousin of marijuana).  It is heated and treated.  Then removed to a final container where the yeast is added.   Before it moves to this final container is a heat exchanger where the liquid is cooled down rapidly to the desired temperature.  It is in this final container where the yeast acts on the sugars in the liquid to release alcohol and carbon dioxide.   And then it is bottled and moved to cold storage.    

If you ever read a laddu recipe and thought you could make great laddus first time or everyone following the recipe would end up making similar laddus, we know we would be far from right, right?  It is much more intricate.  It depends on the quality of the ingredients, the consistency of the batter mixture, the frying time, temperature, the sugar syrup’s consistency, and the right flavoring.

Then… getting it right is one thing, and making it special is another!  How do Mohan and his partner Narayan (_what a delight it was meeting Narayan_!) make Geist special?

All of the malt is imported from Bavaria, Germany.   Bavaria is the citadel of beers as we know.  They add absolutely nothing else to the wort.  In most commercial beers, if you have noticed the labels, you will find mention of sugar and other ingredients like corn syrup.  The water is sourced from the same compound.  It is RO’ed and then minerals added.  The hops are the other special ingredients imported.  It is the hops that lend the distinct flavor.  One of the varieties that lends a citrus flavor was so delightful as Mohan let me take a sniff inside the walk-in cold storage where it is kept at 5 degree centigrade. 

Geist beer, depending on its variety takes anything between 11 days to 22 days from the water and malt mixed stage to the bottle.  In regular commercial beers it could be 5 days!   Good art takes time.  Best dal (yes, the innocuous dal) is the one that simmers overnight!  

The carbonation in entirely natural!  They don’t infuse the fizz!

Above all, they make their own yeast!  A laboratory in house for this purpose.  Mohan says “*Yeast is everything is a beer*!”.   No using of commercial yeast!   

Geist is Vegetarian!  In order to hasten precipitation, breweries typically use some compounds, a main ingredient of which is obtained from fish.  Geist doesn’t use this.   My vegetarian conscience, that too on a Saturday, was gratified. 

Geist beer once cased, is stored at a temperature of 5 degrees and transported to the outlets in refrigerated vehicles.   

Apart from making the beer great, what else Geist does?

The “spent grain” - the residue from the beer making is supplied to cattle farmers.  This proteinaceous feed evidently improves milk yield by 20% and above.   They also dispense with the other residues that go as manure. 

Finally down to the real: that is, drinking beer!    

I had a taste of five varieties of beers, under the perfect setting of a big banyan tree and a Pipal tree.  On a sunny afternoon a perfect quencher to start with.   The beers endear you and the names too!  Weiss Guy for instance.  If Kamacitra is intriguing (the citrus flavored one) JamesBlonde is gripping!  I am not giving any more on this subject, experience it yourself!  You may realise those trees are Bodhi, like I did!!   

Last but not the least! 

Come April, there will be a restaurant!  In the same compound adjoining the Bodhi trees.  *I am going!!*

Susee speaks : on Carnatic music mutations

Friends- I want to summarize my thoughts upon watching this video. For those who are familiar with him, TM Krishna gained notoriety with his self-professed theories on equality in music amongst various controversies.

I want to address his takes on music by way of two aspects:

1.  Religion

First of all, in my opinion, any music created in the name of God is sacrosanct and must be preserved in its original form. There have been musical prodigies in both the East and the West, who have made this world a better place by enriching our lives with their amazing creations. Let me put it this way. I would definitely want the ancient Gregorian chants, the Mass and Requiems to be referencing only Jesus and not Muruga or Hanuman. As much as I want the ancient Tyagaraja compositions to retain only Rama and Annamacharya kirtans, Krishna. This has nothing to do with equality of religions. Rather it is about preserving the sanctity of every religion and giving everyone of them the due respect. 

2.  Genre

It doesn’t require a genius to figure out that all kind of music are man made creations using his/her own expressive abilities during the observation of any act or form - be it nature, deity, or anything that appeals to our senses.

In that respect, there are so many genre - Classical, Jazz, New Age, Hiphop, R&B, Soul Music, Rock, POP, Rap, Gana, the list goes on. I agree that one should not be considered superior to another. People are drawn to one or more kinds depending upon their own preferences. However, certain cherished traditions are better off, being adhered to. While it is a noble thought to have Carnatic music reach the slums, and I welcome that, not every kind of music fits all kinds of ambience. For instance, a song laced with profanity has no place in a temple or church. I would be inclined to listen to Carnatic/Classical/Jazz music when I go to Music Academy in Mylapore, or Carnegie Hall or Lincoln Center in New York. I would prefer a less formal atmosphere to listen to other kinds of music. This doesn’t mean that I consider one better than the other. Atmosphere, my friend!

When one person deliberately tries to mix up genre and deities to make it as a homologous melting pot, it is wise to examine his intent - whether it is towards genuinely contributing to progress or fomenting trouble just to gain publicity.

When I think of TM Krishna, I could immediately think only of Ravana in a mild form - more so, as he brought out his birth background. The latter, born a Brahmin, learnt all scriptures, performed intense penance and even got boon from Shiva, but lost everything due to his pride, arrogance and Adharmic actions. I leave it for you to come to your own conclusions.

Ottha Seruppu Tamil movie review

*ottha seruppu*

————————

By Venkat Raghavan

I saw this movie over the weekend.  At my friend’s place.  His son recommended we watch it, and when he put this on screen I had no clue what to expect.  The official title is *ottha seruppu size 7.*

The movie is produced, written and directed by Parthiban.  And acted. 

Wait.  That is what he does usually.  Isn’t it? 

*There is no other actor.* 

In the visuals.  Only Parthiban.  In the *entire movie the only human you see* is Parthiban.  There are a few other characters, but they are not shown, you only hear their voices.   The setting for the entire movie is one room in a police station.  A table, a chair (which the character barely occupies) a mobile phone, a walkie talkie radio of police, a camera recording the interrogation, a file, a few papers, a wash basin and a paper kite are the only props.   There is a window which the actor walks to occasionally as he demonstrates more histrionics.

Giving away no spoilers, the 105 minute movie is about interrogation of the murder suspect Parthiban.  He is a poor security guard in an elite city club arrested for murder.  Due to the high profile of victim, Deputy Commissioner and Asst Commissioner are involved in the interrogation in addition to the Inspector.   The scenario; the police want the suspect to detail the murder act and also establish the motive. 

Seeing just one actor on screen could be tedious.  That too a middle aged scruffy looking Parthiban may not be one’s idea of immensely watchable.  Parthiban’s biggest victory here is he sustains your interest throughout, a win for him as a writer, director and actor.    The movie doesn’t lose the grip at any time; the frame at no point moves out of this room, even as the suspect narrates the scene there is no flashback visual, it is _all described verbally_ maintaining the tempo. 

The suspect at the beginning seemingly is pleading innocence, but that is a deception and soon it is clear that he is actually confessing to the murder detailing the modus operandi.  When the police seem satisfied with what they heard, there is a twist which the suspect introduces and the interrogation prolongs.  When that part is done, there is another turn.  To the total annoyance and utter frustration of interrogating officers.  The poor simpleton suspect is not after all stupid.   In one of the earlier scenes, when a cop asks why a gullible guy like him should get involved in a murder crime and get trapped like this, Parthiban asks naively if it is not the cops who are trapped?  When the miffed cop asks him to explain, Parthiban says he feels bad for the cops who are staying overnight interrogating him leaving their families trapped in their jobs.   But we come to realise later what he actually meant. 

It is almost a flawless movie, though the ending may be debatable.   In Tamil we have a few experimental movies being made nowadays, but in the degree of experimentation it would be hard to beat this.   A single sandal (without its pair), utterly insignificant and most dispensable.  One doesn’t give a second look.  But Ottha Seruppu is not.  Give it a watch.

Super Delux movie review

*SUPER DELUXE* 

By Venkat Raghavan

Tamil Movie I saw last night)

*A game changer is several respects.*

-A movie with three subplots.  Three stories that run concurrently seemingly unconnected which for their conclusion and the characters’s redemption *cross each other’s path* 

- The movie which is overtly sexual, where motives, actions and behaviors are lecherous; where dialogues are bold and explicit YET surprisingly has no, absolutely NO woman sexual exposure.  (For a movie that would get anyway a big A certificate, the director uses no glamour!)  

- A movie which is co-written by three great “parallel” filmmakers/directors of our times Mysskin, Nalan Kumarasamy and this movie’s Director Kumararaja! 

- A movie that uses yester years POP for the thematic and background songs.  Disco Dancer, Macarena and many Tamil movie ones.  Of our times. 80s!!!

-A movie that has a “paint” effect to its cinematography.  Most of the movie has low lighting.  The colors accentuate the setting.  For instance, an accidental diviner from Tsunami whose dwelling is blue, the female protagonist whose house is deep yellow and reddish hues etc.  Many shots recede to a narrow angle as we get to see the proceedings from a narrow alley or a corner. A metaphor for metaphysical relationship we have with the world -in that limited, where our perception and actuality vie with each other.  

A movie with no songs or fight scenes but a run time of nearly THREE hours!!   Even otherwise a slow movie, but contrastingly happening on every frame.  

The genre of the movie is hard to say.  There is crime, an understated humor that props from the absurdity of situation, emotions of people that arise from jolting events!   Is it a crime, humor or drama.  Just let us say a dark movie.  

A movie with an incredible casting.  *Vijay Sethupathi, Samantha, Fahad Fazil, Ramya Krishnan,* even if they are not superstars, artists who command huge fee and a standing in the industry.  All of them portraying characters that are negative, dark and vulnerable. 

Imagine Samantha, (the leading heroine in Tamil and Telugu until her marriage recently) playing a promiscuous woman who has an encounter when husband is away! 

I am not giving anymore on the movie as it would take away the surprise elements that are strewn throughout the movie, despite its slowness.   At the end, it is a movie that goes beyond its scope of cinema and tells us to view the whole life differently.  A bit of edification.  

I am sure many of us may not be comfortable in our seats while watching this movie.  It is a “in your face” movie.  

*But this is a milestone movie in Tamil.* I would be surprised if it doesn’t walk away with top honours at the national level.

Temple Talk

Temple Talk
(Dammam Bala)

An hour before Sun rise on January 15th, a few years ago I was travelling in a bike pulled cart. Radhika was by myside. In those early hours, we were passing through village side of Siem Reip. Trees all around, scattered wooden houses here and there.

We were nearing a water body. The vehicle stopped near by. Close to the looks for man made channel we used to call as *agazhi* around Tanjore Big temple, there appeared a passage rather a bridge with stone pavements. Two small statues by the side, like a Snake or Naagar.

All of a sudden, we could spot white skinned men and women around the place as if they were waiting for a procession or some kind of meeting. We too stepped into the passage, went inside the historic shrine of Angkorwat.

As the Sun was about to rise, we walked into a large open space. Suddenly we found a big crowd there, a pond was seen towards the left. The eastern skies started lighting up..there seen the Angkor towers like petals of lotus in silhouette effect, a memorizing moment in deed!

Now that the morning sun has come to full glow, the looks of the place and people getting normalized. As we entered the temple, it appeared huge no doubt; but it had a faded look. The edges not any more perfect, the sculptures no way matching the beauty of the likes of Tanjore.

Westerns flocking Angkor altogether appeared as more an exaggeration and could be the way in which the Cambodian Cultural reminiscences are marketed.

Recently we had a discussion in our college group on Ramanujar the vishnavite saint of 12th century AD and his three different statues in India. Incidentally I was travelling to Trichy on official trip while reading the postings on Ramanujar. It made me all the more curious to meet Ramanujar at Sri rangam.

It was not the first time for me at Sri rangam temple. But every time I revisit such places, I feel and have a different kind of experience may be due to my changed outlooks. I entered through the gopuram that lead to a beach like sandy open space, with a four pillar supported elevated stone mandanpam. Shesha rayar mandapam was seen in the left, Aayirangaal mandapam (1000 pillars supported) in the left.

Afraid of time constraints to count 1000 pillars, I chose to enter the Shesha rayar mandapam. Every pillar nicely carved with horses with raised front legs, reigned promptly by warrior men, the sides were intricately carved with several details top to bottom. Hanuman sitting on a coiled tail mounted chair was worth mentioning. The left side of the stone building corridor ended in Kothanda ramar sannathi. The archakar promptly did the Pooja and threw some light on the statues and started reintroducing Rama, Sita, Lakshmana and Anjaneya to me.

"Swami, how many years old is this temple?" The question spilled out of my mouth. " Its here since Ramayana period; from the time Vibeeshna met Rama, few lakh years". The confidence in the reply killed my (con)science. I thanked him and moved forward. Time to explore the vast premises of Srirangam, spread around 156 acres.

Towards the right extreme of Shesharayar mandapam, I could see the sign board in English and tamil reading "Ramanujar Sannathi". The passage was oddly covered by modern fibre reinforced panel roof with steel supports totally mismatching with the antique looks of the temple though.

Udayavar was the name displayed in Ramanujar Sannathi. I walked into the darker alleys of the garba graha, with panchaloha statue in the front and large size stone statue of Ramanujar in the background. Deepa aradana by archak briefly illuminated the man, the saint who has literally ruled the place, governed it like any school or institution of modern times. For a second a thought on Karuvoorar sannathi of Tanjore big temple flashed in my mind. Every temple needs a custodian, care taker and a clergyman to sustain and spread the belief, Sri rangam is no different in this.

Visiting the chief deity " Ranga in reclined position", I was prompted to gaze in toe to head fashion, to have proper blessings. A battery car took us around the long winding praharas of the temple to have darshan of Danvantri, Thayar, chakarathazvar, vasantha mandapam, flower gardens ultimately to return to Shesha rayar mandapam were I started the Sri rangam maze.

I forgot to mention the massive garuda standing 25 feet tall, clad by eight snakes if my hearing and retention is in order. Slight pain sank into my knees while the magnificence of Sri rangam temple complex was slowly but steadily manifesting in my mind; salute those nameless souls for leaving behind such a monument to outlive them.

First time

Dammam  bala

Hi Aakash and Ashika how are you guys doing? In life there is always first time in life for every thing. This is first time I am writing a letter to you both.

Remember the days since 1997? The first time you guys came to dammam with Radhika. Since then until early 2010 we lived in one house as one family!

Again this is the first time we are away from each other continuously for more than three years. Also the first time me and Aku didn't meet each other for more than an year.
Even though we had been close to each other in the past, I had to be busy in office as well as you both were not old enough for open and meaningful discussions.

Now for the first time I feel the necessity for opening my heart with you. Just to share with you a my few first time moments with you in a chronological sequence.

It will give you some idea from where to where I have travelled these 47 fruitful tough years.

From 1965 to 1970 I have only sketchy memories. Let me count  and capture those after this period.

1970- First time I joined school that too directly in 1st standard. It was a small town school, my dad has been busy with office I guess. An old uncle who was a retired bus conductor put me in the school. Date of birth was adjusted, to match academic month from Nov to June. Lost 6 months of service this way. Never mind, joined school an year ahead and gained any way!

1975- I completed primary schooling in Konganeswara and joined Kalyana sundaram (KHSS) in 6th standard, jump from Tamil medium to English medium. The year ended shattering our family for ever; accidental death of my only brother Radha krishnan by drowning in the near by lake :-((

1976- First time I visited Chennai in my life. Technically speaking 1965 & 1967 I had transited Chennai on my trip to Bhopal, but never have gone out of the railway station. Just imagine I am 11 years old to visit my state capital. Visited Mr Kalyanam & Siva families in triplicane. Had my first darshan of a black and white TV. Watched tamil song sequence, that comes once a week. Still remember few songs like Vaan Nila nila alla & naan oru muttalunga. I forgot those Friday song sequence name.. Radhika help me on the name please!

1977- First time stayed for months away from parents for more than months. Joined school in Aduthurai a village near kumbakonam at periyamma’s place. It was a decision taken due to my not doing well in the school. (1970-75 I studied in a tamil medium temple school. 1976 I joined English medium, could not cope up. Also family underwent hard times due to my brother’s tragic loss.)

1978- I returned tanjore, joined the same KHSS school  in 9th but this time in Tamil medium. Started tasting success first time in records, with merit card in English as school first.

1979- the first ceiling fan arrives our family brand name khaitan. The other gadget we ever had was a transistor radio.

1979-82, the firsts started continuing with 10th first time with 400+  and plus 2 with 1000+ in our family. First time to join professional course and stay away from family for 7 years!

1985- First time my parents move to a house with separate bed room and attached modern toilet.

1986- My first job in my life. After finishing BE in 1986 April, after six months waiting, I joined as lecturer in Angalamman Eng college trichi for a monthly salary of Rs 900/-

1987- First in our family circle to work in IIT Madras in projects, salary went upto 3700/- then took up ME in PSG Coimbatore again with my direct juniors.

1988,89- First tape recorder bought in Chennai. First television I bought was these years too. It was 14” black and white weston. Then we got a 20” colour TV but no remote.

1990- First time I went to Bangalore and took up job in STUP consultants. Stayed there with mom there up to 1992.

1991- I bought my first automobile in my life. A TVS-50 my first petrol vehicle.

1992- First time to settle in Chennai with mom joining ECC- L&T and was in porur and then Adambakkam. The same year went to see a girl to marry for first time. Any guesses, yes Radhika my first girl friend as well as first official love :-)

1993- First time to got married in life. I remember our rented house in Nanganallur. My first fridge came. But no air conditioner at home at the time. I also remember my first flight to Bombay and Ratnagiri on official visit. First time riding powerful M80 –courtesy Radhika darling.

1994- First kid, rather first son in life. Aku you came in my life. Believe me you were 2 weeks baby when I got my first overseas chance to Nepal(!) to Kathmandu and Trishuli Devighat. Celebrated first wedding anniversary away from Radhika. This year August, thanks to motivation from Radhika and Subu thatha, bought my first home in Nanganallur.

1995- First birthday of Aku celebrated; first time my photo comes in Hindu paper as advt for our builder as a customer. First international job and first time to Saudi Arabia. Radhika six months pregnant with Ashika. My first girl baby comes out in Jun after my leaving India in April.

1996- My first vacation back to India. First time meeting my children after one full year. While Aku recognized me, for Varu I was a stranger by all means.

1997- First among my colleagues to bring family to Saudi. Had no money for that, had to take a 5000 riyal chit at 3800 riyal. A clear 1200 riyal cut. Was the first to get family status by the end of the year. First time failed in life this year in driving test. Took an year to redo the test and qualify.

1998- First car in life, Cressida 82 model arrives. First computer for home (not a lap-top).

2002- First home with land purchased. Radhika joins victory school and then IISD.

After this period, whatever happened, I am sure you guys were old enough to notice and remember.

You may be wondering why to re-cap things at this moment; for the first time in my life, I am thinking that I will be turning 50 in a couple of years in 2015. I have spoken, written and shared my experiences with many, but did I do the same with my kids? I am not sure!

God has been kind enough to me to provide success in anything I aimed at or aspired so far. Why not with my kids, to try the same trick? Guys, have you ever thought what we will do or where we will be, 5 years down the line from now?

Like we travel in a bus or train or air-craft, life is a journey with time as our vehicle. We need to plan it, choose the direction/destination/vehicle and buy the ticket today. What we do today decides tomorrow, the week, month and year to follow. When I took my studies, career and job whatever it is, there was no one to guide with prior experience.

Now it is time for the firsts for Aku and Varu. Your college life shall see the firsts in ranks, scores and knowledge. Your masters degrees in your chosen profession should by your passing through competitive exams, if you wish to get educated abroad, you need to find out what and where it is.

Start to plan/prepare and pass it when the time comes.
In short, please spend a few moments during every week end to write to me, the happenings over the week; your experience, your studies and your progress.

 Aku why don’t you share your subject list for last two years and available grades to follow by Ash for the same?

Let us see who is first to respond to this. Remember Varu’s second telling prior to Aku’s first telling?! Radhika be our moderator and pitch in to add value to this discussion.. 

After all we are a part of an educated family dears!!

Cheers

Dad

12th Aug 2013

Accidental Toastmaster

“Bala, what if you visit any country in the world map and at the airport, there are twenty friends of you, waiting to receive you?” was the question posted by Sanjay to me.

"Listen and silent are made of same set of alphabets but slightly rearranged to convey different meanings". Most of us are under the impression that verbal communication means just talking. On the contrary, communication is seldom one way; it is a two way track with a continuous flow of words, expressions and minute gestures which often go unnoticed in an unsuccessful communication.

We have trained ourselves for a long and extended period of 12-15 years in schools, colleges and universities to handle written communications. Questions are put in front of us on hypothetical situations and answers drawn from us either in a descriptive manner or objective type as held as the basis of our knowledge, talents and capabilities what-so-ever.

Having crossed the rings of fire also called as tests and examinations, the ultimate challenge of real life is encountered. It is nothing but "Public Speaking". Written communication is like our comfortable movement on the land or earth, such a solid ground wherein we can walk, run, stand, sit, rest and sleep anytime without any difficulty. But speaking or verbal communication is an entirely different ball game.

Speaking to a group of small group of people in a company meeting or a large social gathering of people or even a simple one to one communication every day is similar to swimming in deep waters. There is a continuous flow of words, pauses, variety of pitch and tone, naturally and at times intentionally varied by the speaker, conveying a spectrum of emotions across the mouth to the ears.

Again, a piece of write-up would mean precisely what it was meant for. But the speech is delivered by the speaker with certain motives, not necessarily be the same way to appeal to the listener. The challenge in front of the leaders of today is to convey the message to his audience in such a way it is construed and understood by them, exactly the way the speaker intended to do so.

Passion for speaking and singing had been a hidden agenda for me since birth. But neither of them could receive a training or mathematical approach to convert into a finished product from the crude raw material. After many years of rudimentary and stereotypic work style, I could sense a bit of stagnancy in my thirties.

Staying with same set of individuals at office for 12+ hours every day, discussing the same subject of evading salary increments, promotions and the dream of a non-existing job satisfaction could be a energy drainer and ultimate soul killer. It was the same moment; I realized the lack of any hobby or pastime to replenish the cluttered and confused mindset arising out of mechanical and repetitive jobs, more or less matching with Charlie Chaplin’s “Modern Times”

Language has its roots in cleansing the mind and encouraging fresh and fruitful thoughts. Tamil has ever remained as my language of thinking, talking and assimilating the ideas since birth, whereas English has taken the place of business related communications.

Dammam Tamil Group gave me ample chances to revisit my Tamil speaking and singing skills with nostalgic memories of the past, peaceful glorious days in Thanjavur, my home town. This transformation then lead to regaining the energy levels, with the offshoot of fresh branches, leaves and flowers of thought process, like a green twig emanating out of a dead log of timber.

The real twist in this tale was Toastmasters. What is the meaning of toastmasters? If you are interested to know, please do visit www.toastmasters.org but wait; not now. After you complete reading this piece of writing, you may proceed to visit this website if at all you need.

“Bala, what if you visit any country in the world map and at the airport, there are twenty friends of you, waiting to receive you?” was the question posted by Sanjay to me.

This happened at a family gathering consisting of we parents, whose children happen to be classmates and buddies in the Dammam Indian School; not to mention the mothers were teachers/ colleagues too. We fathers had no other option than to join the majority.

Sanjay, Pooja/Poojit’s dad was introduced by our common friends Raji & Govindarajan couple. In the group of we so called camels, Sanjay stood apart with his glowing eyes, bright and compassionate smiles and his outstanding energy levels and brimming positivity implied a lot about the person and there should be some secret behind this man, I thought at that very moment.

Yes, Sanjay was an accomplished toastmaster by that time. He drew me like a magnet in year 2005 into the Toastmasters fraternity.  Leaders, managers, engineers, doctors and workers; every type of profession is equal inside the toastmasters meeting room. The club of twenty odd members runs an imaginary office, parliament, speech-craft training all in one place. 

In Toastmasters, everyone gets a chance to stand on the stage and express his ideas in a pleasant way, with plenty of facial expressions, body language. To entertain and enterprise the audience and get encouraged in the process by their applauses unlimited is Toastmaters.

More and more I will write about Toastmaster in this series, in due course of time.

Until then have a great time at work and home my dear friends!

Cheers

Dammam Bala