There has been much excitement regarding the launch of the Dubai Metro and I can see why not. A few years ago it was a dream and now a reality! Not many countries or cities can see such progress in such a short span. Dubai is certainly different. His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, a visionary and a great leader inaugurated the Dubai Metro on 09-09-09 at 09:09:09.

Dubai Metro

Unfortunately I am still on holiday in India and just waiting to return to Dubai to test ride the Dubai Metro. The feedback from friends have been great. One speculation that the prices were going to be high was proved wrong with quite reasonable rates. They should introduce seasonal and festive tickets as well. Keeping ticket prices low will attract more passengers. Let’s hope the don’t increase the rates in the near future.

The problem with this country is the heat. People just can walk a few feet in the hot sun. This comes as a disadvantage for people who have to walk to their offices. Of course cabs and buses are available, but it comes with its own problems like time and another expense. Nothing can be done regarding that unfortunately.

I have been on the Mass Transit Railway (MTR) in Honk Kong and in Singapore. I liked the HK one better. It is a lot simpler, cheaper, faster. Stations are aplenty and stations excellent. Getting tickets was a breeze. The trains bigger and cleaner. It was always a joy travelling on the MTR. There were no paper tickets. All tickets were plastic, even one way tickets. The one way tickets are not returned to the passenger in the destination station. This way a lot of paper waste is avoided. In Singapore paper tickets are found everywhere! A big mess. I still haven’t used the Dunai Metro so I am not sure how it is compared to these cities.

The Dubai Metro is sure a huge boost for the economy. People will certainly use it if its affordable, if parking is available and not a problem, if it is more accessible to offices and residential areas, if there are good connecting services etc. This will all be possible, because this is Dubai.

It would be great if all the Emirates would be connected by metros.

Whenever I read anything about Chennai’s (Madras) past, I just can’t think of how lucky I am to be from here! The fresh smell of filtered coffee, the yummy dosai vadai – idli, the beach, cinema etc., always turn me on and so it does to others too. So reading this article by Lakshmi Baliga for The Hindu gave me so much joy on knowing the history of some of Madras’ famous food hangouts. Don’t we just love Chennai!

Udipi Hotel

22nd August 1639. The British East India Company bought a piece of land and Fort St. George was built which became the epicentre of a growing colony – Madras now called Chennai. Since 2004, this day is being celebrated as Madras Day to focus on the city’s past and present, emphasising on its varied culture, literature and cuisine.

Chennai has always been a predominantly vegetarian place. Pre-independence saw the emergence of many hotels/restaurants, some of which are popular even today. Rayar Cafe was the favourite haunt of many Mylaporeans and celebrities. The owner Padhu, as he was fondly known, lured customers to his humble place with his magical smile and aromas of Rava Dosai and Medhu Vadai. Today it is located on Arundale Street (off Kutchery road) and is looked after by his son. The place, though not as charming or as inviting as it was before, still has its regulars visiting who tell us that the Medhu Vadai and Dosai cannot be matched.

Triplicane is the home of the legendry Ratna Cafe. Sundays are incomplete for many locals without a sumptuous breakfast at this place.

Kaju Kathli, Jangiri and special Mysore Pak are the specialities of Ramakrishna Lunch Home(Broadway) for decades. Opened by the first mayor Ramanathan Iyer in 1943, this place, also known for their variety of mixtures, got a new look under a fresh management in 1977, and recently was re-christened as Ramakrishna Bhavan. A record number of boxes are packed with Kaju Kathli every Diwali and to know what makes it so special ‘one has to come over and taste it’ says the confident owner.

Chennai Dosai

Madras Cafe was one of the most popular places known for their Mangalore Bonda, Rasam Vadai and coffee in the Madras Presidency. Post Independence saw it transform into Udipi Home and has been monitored by three generations of the Bhat Family. The youngest of them Ram Bhat says, “The success is because we made quick changes in ambience, cuisine and service to keep up with the times.” The target audience here are not individuals but families and efforts are made “to please everyone from a coffee lover to a juice drinker.”

“People are always looking for change,” he says, “which requires upgrading and a relook at the menu at regular intervals.” Mathsya, as it is known today, which earlier catered only to the South Indian palate, introduced authentic North Indian cuisine in the 70s. To please the next generation, continental food made an entry in the 90s. This restaurant is one of the most sought after vegetarian places in the city, and has a houseful crowd from 8am till 2am.

The doyen of the hotel industry in the south, Krishna Rao, started New Woodlands in 1937. Initially, this lodging place had only a small kitchen for the residents but realised they couldn’t say ‘no’ to the beach walkers who dropped in for a cup of coffee. This triggered off the idea of a restaurant, and without much delay, Krishna Restaurant came into being. It is even today one of their most popular restaurants serving delicious idlies and dosas. Tanjore – the venue for authentic ‘Yelai Sappadu’ brings in guests from all over the world (Vatha Kozhumbu being the chart topper) and to make the choice wider, ‘Vrindavan’ was launched as their multi cuisine restaurant. “What makes me most happy is when the older customers tell me ‘Adhe taste thambi’ because we want to continue serving our customers and maintaining quality,” says the very energetic Rajesh Rao.

Buhari Hotel

After Independence, an Indian family was asked to return home from Sri Lanka. After adequate scouting they decided to setup shop in Madras on Mount Road. A military mess was taken over and Buharis was born. They served just mutton and chicken biryani for 8 annas and 1 rupee respectively. They also had an option of chicken/mutton masala with wheat or Ceylon parottas. “In 1958 Buharis introduced to Madras its first stand alone fine dining restaurant with uniformed waiters, plush crockery and cutlery,” says Ahmed, a member of the family. This predominantly non-vegetarian restaurant is still known for the different types of chicken preparations. Chicken 65 which had many stories to its name was the creation of this eatery and is so called simply because it was first made in 1965. As the years went by Chicken 78, 82 and 90 also found themselves a place in their menu card.

This article on the Grand Old Eateries of Chennai would be incomplete if I did not mention two places which were there till yesterday. The prestigious Dasaprakash whose name would ring with every ice cream bell and the chilli cheese toast, ghee roast or Mango Melba at midnight. The second was a place which saw contracts being signed, deals being finalised, marriages being fixed, interviews being held, patch ups, break ups, first ‘dum’, innumerable Bread Peas Masala, Channa Batura, Dosas, Sweet Lime/Grape Juice making their way to the cars and… a place which every Chennaiite has a memory of – Drive Inn Woodlands.

Interesting Trivia

Mathsya had its restaurant open till after midnight since1960 for the convenience of the then train commuters who could arrive only after 11p.m because of the blackout in the city, during the China War. In the 70’s the cinema-goers found this a boon and today, the midnight dining here is a culture.

In 1958 when Buharis started Madras’ first standalone fine dining restaurant, the incentive to the customers was free ice water and an egg with every biryani.

Madras has been the birth of many cuisines, art, music, entertainment etc., and Singapore has been richly influenced by it. This article by Rupa Gopal for The Hindu has brought out some of the influences of Madras on Singapore. I read it today and just wanted to let others also into the magic of Madras (Chennai).

Madras Hotel, Singapore

The early 19th century saw a steady migration from South Indian shores to countries near, and not so near, in Asia. Ceylon, Burma, Malaysia and Singapore were the choice destinations of people from the Coromandel Coast, especially the Tamils. Singapore then was largely undeveloped, quite swamped by marshes. The mid-1800s saw an influx of Tamils from Madras migrate here, to seek and make fortunes. Cattle rearing was a prime occupation in the Indian-occupied Serangoon Road area, as there was plenty of potable water and green grass. Milk was delivered fresh by many Indian milkmen back then. This main road, in 1828, was described as “the road leading across Singapore”, built to link settlements in the town with the Serangoon harbour, thus linking lumber in Pulau Ubin and Johore.

The Indian area had distinctive decorative buildings, called shophouses, built from the 1840s, until the 1960s. Highly ornamented facades were made by the Indian workers, and “Madras chunam” was used to plaster these shophouses. The mix of egg-white, shell, lime, sugar and coconut husk was applied on the walls, and then polished smooth with crystal stones. These buildings have been retained, in the face of modern expansion, in a protected Conservation area as a piece of history and are quite a tourist attraction today.
Early imprints

The first brick kiln in Singapore was established by the Indian Narayana Pillai. In fact, the Veeramakali Amman temple on Serangoon Road, built around 1855, was then called “the temple in the village of lime” due to the number of kilns in the Indian area.

Construction was on a boom, and convict labour was cheap and plentiful. Convicts were sent to Penang, Malacca and Singapore. Indian convicts came from around the Madras region, and records show that in July 1847 there were 1,500 Indian convicts in Singapore. These convicts won the Silver Medal for the quality of their bricks, made under the supervision of a European brick maker, on Serangoon Road. The St. Andrews Church stands strong even today, then built with these bricks. Praise aside, there were also registered complaints about Indian convicts, of “sleeping during working hours, and dancing all night!” The convicts from China had a distinct advantage — if they managed to escape, they disappeared by easily blending into the crowd of local Chinese populace.

With the steady arrival of Tamils, Hindu temples too mushroomed on the island. The Perumal temple on Serangoon Road was built by one Narasingham, in 1885, affluent enough to have bought the needed land from the East India Company.

Madras Street became a permanent nostalgic tie with home, right in the Indian area. Most of the side streets today are full of eateries, vegetable and provision stores, selling all that one could buy in Madras. A “Madras Hotel” too flourishes on Madras Street, beckoning visitors from far and wide. Many inns for backpackers are quite the rage here, easy on the tourist pocket. Beer flows at sundown, and all is merry, with Europeans finding it all charming, and cheap.

Tamil is heard loud and clear, and the Chinese and Malay too are at home here, amidst the Tamils. The savvy Chinese shopkeeper, mostly selling jewellery, has picked up quite a smattering of Tamil, to attract the gold-thirsty Indian customer. Dosai and roti-parata shops cast their spicy aromas in the air, while goodies from Adyar Grand Sweets can be picked up for a price, from a certain provision store in the area. Tamil movies and audio CDs are stacked between fresh flower stalls, natty Tamil men stringing the flowers, flown in daily from Madras and Madurai. The paanwalla does a brisk trade, as does the beeda counter at Komala Vilas restaurant, one of the oldest Tamil eateries in Singapore. Sri Mangalambika, now closed, was a Brahmin meals hotel here, well remembered by old-timers.
Popular fare

The Madras thali is a must in the vegetarian restaurants here, served with Ponni rice, Indian country greens, and typical menus. “Madras curry powder” is sold to curious Europeans who are thrilled by the Indian experience of sights and food, slurping strong degree coffee from tumblers. Shops selling Indian silks and gaudy nylons also stock Madras check lungis, a big import from South India. One thing is for sure — one can hear more dialects of Tamil in Singapore, than in Madras! Construction workers from south Tamil Nadu, cooks from Chettinad and Thanjavur, maids from Madurai and even convent gospel singers from Sivakasi! Madras is alive and flourishing, a permanent link maintained both by the Tamils settled in Singapore, who still think of Madras as home, and by the Tamil workforce in a place away, but so much like home.

The Madras Street and Little India area were once like a thieves’ market, in the 1950s, run by the Chinese, with Indians owning the properties. The wet market existed here, along with many small Indian provision shops. Most of the old folks have now gone, and businesses have changed hands or shut down, with steel and glass structures looming large, dwarfing memories. Immigrant Tamils have made their mark in Singapore, becoming MPs, like N. Karuppiah, from the Farrer Park area in Little India. Today, the Tamil Reform Association maintains traditions, celebrating festivals like Pongal etc.

Plenty of water has flowed along the Singapore River, and many tides have washed over the shores of Tamil Nadu and Singapore, from those early days. Madras is an integral part of Singapore, here to stay, a valuable addition to the economy and social fabric, part and parcel of a vigorous young nation.

The pandemic of the 21st century that was perceived as ‘mild’ in India till the first death was reported from Pune, has now got the country in the grips of fear.

The initial symptoms of the Swine Flu or the H1N1 Influenza includes: cough, fever, sore throat, body ache, headache, chills and fatigue. When the flu is left untreated it can get complex as the virus begins to manifest itself into other illness such as sever illness and pneumonia or respiratory failure resulting to death.

With the number of cases raising faster and the virus spreading potently due to the onset of rainy season and the commencement of schools, here are a list of government hospitals that test and treat Swine Flu:

Bangalore
1. Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Chest Diseases
Near NIMHANS, Hombegowda Nagar
Bangalore-560029
+91-80-26632634
+91-80-26631923
http://rgicd.com/

2. Victoria Hospital
Fort Road
Kalasipalyam
Bangalore-560002
080 26703294

Karnataka health and family welfare department on Friday, Aug 7 identified six private hospitals, which would now quarantine Swine Flu cases and treat them. They are listed below:

3. Mallya Hospital
Vittal Mallya Rd
Bengaluru
080 22277979
Emergency: 080 22242325

4. Vaidehi hospital
#82, K.R. Puram Hobli
White Field
Bangalore -560066
080-28413381/ 080-28413382/ 080-28413383
Emergency: 080 41259032

5. Ambedkar Medical Institute and Hospital
Kadugondanahalli
Bangalore-560045
080 25463442‎

6. St Johns Hospital
Sarjapur Main Road,
Bangalore- 560034
080 25532037

7. Manipal Hospital
Airport Road
Bangalore- 560017
080 2502 4444
080 2502 3344
Fax:+ 91 80 2526 6757

8. Mallige Nursing Home
Mariappa Road, Siddapur
Jayanagar
Bangalore – 560011
080 26565678

Chandigarh
Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research (PGI),
Sector 12, Chandigarh-160012
+91-172-2747585
+91-172-2746018
+91-172-2756565

Chennai
Communicable Diseases Hospital
No 187, Thiruvottiyur High Road
Near Apollo Hospital, Tondiarpet
Chennai-600081
+91-44-25912686
+91-44-25912687
+91-44-25912688

2. Peripheral Hospital, Tondiarpet, Chennai

3. All Government Medical College Hospitals in the state

4. Infective Disease Hospital (IDH), Austinpatti, Madurai

5. All District hospitals

Approved Laboratories for Testing for A(H1N1) in Tamil Nadu

1.  King Institute of Preventive Medicine, Guindy, Chennai

2. Christian Medical College Hospital, Vellore

3. JIPMER Hospital, Puduchery (Pondicherry)

Hyderabad
Govt Chest Hospital
E S I Hospital Road, S R Nagar
Erragadda, Hyderabad-500018
+91-40-23814421
+91-40-23814422

Kolkata
Beliaghata Id Hospital
57 Beliaghata Main Road
Kolkata-700010
+91-33-23701251
+91-33-23701252
+91-33-23601251
+91-33-23601252

Mumbai
Kasturba Hospital
Sane Guruji Road
Jacob Circle
Opp Arthur Road Jail
Mahalaxmi, Mumbai-400011
+91-22-23083901
+91-22-23054831
+91-22-23004325

Delhi
Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital
Ward No 5, Baba Kharak Singh Marg
Connaught Place-110001
+91-11-23921401
+91-11-24525211

Pune
Naidu Hospital
Near Le Meridian Hotel
Raja Bahadur Mill, Pune GPO
Pune-411001
+91-20-26058243
+91-20-26058842

Everything you need to know about Swine Flu
Source: MSN India

India is grappling with a swine flu epidemic.There is heightened panic among people following reports of growing number of HIN1 cases and the recent death of a school child in Pune. Here’s an FAQ on the dreaded virus:

Everything you need to know about Swine Flu

How do people become infected with influenza A (H1N1)?

Outbreaks in humans are now occurring from human-to-human transmission. When infected people cough or sneeze, infected droplets get on their hands, drop onto surfaces, or are dispersed into the air. Another person can breathe in contaminated air, or touch infected hands or surfaces, and be exposed.

What are the signs and symptoms of infection?

Early signs of influenza A (H1N1) are flu-like, including fever, cough, headache, muscle and joint pain, sore throat and runny nose, and sometimes vomiting or diarrhoea. Like seasonal flu, swine flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronicmedical conditions.

Is there any confirmation of transmission between pigs and humans at this point?

No.

How soon can someone with the flu infect someone else?

Infected people may be able to infect others beginning one day before symptoms develop and up to seven or more days after becoming sick.

What surfaces are most likely to be sources of contamination?

Germs can be spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth. Droplets from a cough or sneeze of an infected person move through the air.

How long can viruses live outside the body?

We know that some viruses and bacteria can live two hours or longer on surfaces like cafeteria tables, doorknobs, and desks.Frequent hand washingwill help you reduce the chance of getting contamination from these common surfaces.

What can I do to protect myself from getting sick?

Currently available seasonal influenza vaccine does not protect against H1N1 flu. There are everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza. Take these everyday steps to protect your health:

Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.

Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze.  Alcohol based hand cleaners are also effective.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.

Try to avoid close contact with people having respiratory illness.
If one gets sick with influenza, one must stay at home, away from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them. However, if one is having any respiratory distress, one should report to a nearby hospital.

What should I do to keep from getting the flu?

First and most important: wash your hands frequently. Try to stay in good general health. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food. Avoid touching surfaces that may be contaminated with the flu virus. Avoid close contact with people having respiratory illness.

Are there medicines to treat swine flu?

Yes. Oseltamivir is the recommended anti viral drug for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with the influenza A H1N1. If you get sick,antiviral drugs can make your illness milder and make you feel better faster.

They may also prevent serious flu complications. For treatment, antiviral drugs work best if started soon after getting sick (within 2 days of symptoms). The government has adequate stock and the drug is made available to government hospitals at the time of outbreak and would be available to you free of cost. The drug is to be administered under supervision of clinicians.

What should I do if I get sick?
If you live in areas where influenza A H1N1 cases have been identified and become ill with influenza like symptoms e.g. fever, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, you may contact their health care provider,particular ly if you are worried about your symptoms.

Your health care provider will determine whether influenza testing or treatment is needed.

If you are sick, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people as much as possible to keep from spreading your illness to others. If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs, seekemergency medical care.

In children emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

Fast breathing or trouble breathing
Bluish skin color
Not drinking enough fluids/eating food
Not waking up or not interacting
Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
Fever with a rash

In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
Sudden dizziness
Confusion
Severe or persistent vomiting

Can I get influenza A H1N1 from eating or preparing pork? (Although personally I think you should totally avoid it!)

No. swine influenza viruses are not spread by food. Eating properly handled and cooked pork products is safe.

DOs:

* Wash your hands
* Avoid crowded places
* Stay more than an arm’s length from persons afflicted with flu
* Get plenty of sleep
* Drink plenty of water and eat nutritious food

DO NOTs:

* Shake hands or hug in greeting
* Spit in public
* Take medicines without consulting a physician

For people who are sick:

* Stay home and limit contacts with others as much as possible
* Rest and take plenty of liquids
* Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze
* Seek medical advice if needed.

>> Swine flu 10 effective prevention tips – Imthiaz Blog

>> List of government hospitals that test and treat Swine Flu

Map of A(H1N1) virus

The article below is by my friend Priya Subramanian. Some of her experiences in Chennai and places to visit. Very useful for people wanting to know more places they can shop, eat out etc. Enjoy!

Last time while I was at Chennai, I totally went nuts on eating out, shopping and hanging out with my best-est-est friends. Many of my friends and family here in the US have been asking me for info on all the ‘wheres’, so I just thought I’d pen it here rather than sending individual emails.

Restaurants:

~ Cream Centre (near Chennai Kaliappa/Billroth Hospital) – for awesome parathas and chaats
~ Sigri (in Quality Inn, Aruna) – for yummee starters, dum Biryanis etc
~ Tangerine Restaurant (Alwarpet) – for spicy Paneer Kababs
~ Ajnabhi Mithai Ghar (Egmore Fountain Plaza) – for Chaat
~ Shree Mithai (Spencers or Chetpet) – for Channa Baturas, pedas, kathlis, bengali sweets etc
~ Copper Chimney (near Music Academy) – just about everything’s good!
~ Annalakshmi (Mount Road) – for exotic juices and thaalis! Lovely ambience too!!
~ Dakshin (Park Sheraton) – for Aapams and stew
~ GRT Grand Days and Mathsya – good buffets (at Mathsya, kids eat for free)

Of course, there’s the usual Vrindavan, Murugan Idli shop (yummee kutty vengaya uthappams), Saravana Bhavan, Gangotree, Mansukh etc. Don’t forget to grab Pan Kajur at Mansukh for a scrumptious post-meal experience!! Coffee Day at Kasturba Nagar houses delectable veggie tikka sandwiches.

Clothes:

This designer’s name is Mrs.Bhuvana Ramanan and she runs an ethnic boutique, ‘Vasthara’ in Thiruvanmiyur. Her numbers are:
9940388815
9790977773
She pretty much does everything from salwars to kurtas to kurtis to sarees to just dupattas etc etc and has her own fabric. I totally fell in love with every inch of clothing she designed for me this time.

Trinkets and other paraphernalia:

~ Seventh Sense (Mrs. Kanchana Ganesh) – you get really neat terracotta sets and gifts here.
~ Sundari Silks (t.nagar) – my favorites for ethnic pavadais for kids, ethnic gifts, jewellery, ethnic skirts, tops, podavais etc.
~ Golu Bommais – there is this great guy in Saidapet who makes his own bommais and packs them up really nicely for shipping to the US. His bommais have really sharp features and his sets are quite different/novel. I will post his number soon..
~ Cane and Bamboo (Ethiraj salai, Egmore) – http://www.caneandbamboo.in/

Temples:

~ There is a beautiful Shirdi Sai Baba temple at Injambakkam, Chennai (near Prarthana open air theatre). Try to visit if you can.
~ Shri Muralidhara Swamiji’s ashram at Manimangalam/Malaipattu graamam (just past thambaram) houses a lovely Gurukulam/Veda Paatashala/Goshaala and its such a pleasant retreat of sorts for any visitor.

Movie Theatres:

~ INOX in Chennai City Center and Sathyam Theatres are my favorites for a phenomenal audio/video and overall experience. Oh and they both have online booking and home delivery of tickets too!

I would really encourage y’all to add more to my list above.

I wish you an enjoyable trip to the glamorous and one and only Singaara Chennai!!

Please read the first part – Click here.

Well it was the final day and was the day when dreams came true or came crashing down! But for us in the audience, was one of the best moments we would ever experience. Before the results were announced, the people who made DTAC happen were recognized. The Best Club Newsletter was also announced. Finally the District 79 Newsletter was released by the Toastmasters International Director Mohammed Murad. It was a great feeling that the newsletter I designed was to be released to so many Toastmasters. I was the happiest guy on stage that day. It was even sweeter when everyone liked it! What a feeling!

Well, the results of the DTAC 2009 held in Abu Dhabi, were announced and hence here are the results.

Table Topics

1. Sujit Sukumaran
2. Hemalata Thawani
3. Abraham Thomas

Humorous Speech

1. Mohammed Essa
2. Tariq Al Qahtani
3. Mohamed Abdulla Isa

International Speech

1. Koka Prasad
2. Mohammed Essa
3. Loy Machedo

Mathew was placed in the top 5. He did a splendid speech and we in Lagoon Toastmasters are really proud of him. It is no laughing matter, is it?!

Loy Machedo came 3rd, but his performance was world class. His was the ONLY speech which stood out from the rest. Congratulations Loy! You “ROCK”!

Speaking about the winners, they were of course the best. Koka Prasad will now be representing our District in the US. All the best to him. Incidentally he won the DTAC last year too and had represented us then also.

Well that’s it for now.

It was a wonderful 3 days of exhilarating contests and keynote speeches. With more than 700 registrations for this event, it was one of the most exciting DTAC conferences ever in the GCC. It was indeed a “Journey towards Excellence”.

This would not have been possible without these people – Nasef Dhafari, DTAC Chairman and his team and Radhakrishnan Karantharath (RK), the District Governor and his team.

Day 1 was held in India Social Center. It was the day of qualifying for the finals of the Humorous, Table Topic and the International speech contests. Our club the Lagoon Toastmasters was participating in the Humorous (TM Mathew Jacob) and the International (TM Loy Machedo) speech contests. The did an amazing job and qualified. A lot of speakers were very good. One of my favourites apart from Loy and Mathew was TM Sujith Sukumaran in Table Topics. I will post videos if I get them. Some of the brilliant ones were V P Menon, Mohammed Al Essa, Mohamed Abdulla Isa and Tariq Al Qahtani in Humorous. Sridhar Sampath, Jiju Varghese, Koka Prasad, Mohammed Al Essa, Reginaldo Maga Jr, Jamsheed Hamza and Asif Daudi in International. Rajendra Varma. Sujit Sukumaran, Abraham Thomas and Hemalata Thawani in Tabe Topics.

Day 2 was held in the Intercontinental Hotel. The Finals of the Humorous and the Table Topics contests.Keynote speeches by two World Champions of Public Speaking, Ed Tate and Darren LaCroix was very educative and a great learning experience. The contests were held and everyone gave their best performances. The District Council Meeting was also held and it was an eye opener for me. So many enthusiastic Toastmasters wanting to take up Leadership roles to lead their Division and District. A real election process with lots of joy and disappointments. But as it is in Toastmasters, we take it in the right spirit and all support given to the winners! True Toastmasters Spirit.

Day 3 same hotel. The Finals of the International contest. The release of the District 79 Magazine. The Awards ceremony. After the keynote address by Ed Tate, which btw way was on ‘how to make stories in minutes’ and was brilliant, was the International Speech Contest. This is one of the main events because the winner here represents this region Internationally in August in the USA. Whoever wins becomes the World Champion of Public Speaking! The speakers were Sridhar Sampath, Jiju Varghese, Koka Prasad, Mohammed Essa, Loy Machedo and Asif Daudi.

Every speaker put up his best show and emotions were high. The crowds escatic. The fans eager. Everybody on their toes as each contestant spoke, the audience hung on to every word, every action, every emotion, every pause. So intense so beautiful.

We came back to our senses only after the contest was over!

Please read the second part – Click here.

I should have written this sooner. One of the main events for the Toastmasters in this part of the region. The District Toastmasters Annual Conference or DTAC as it is commonly referred to in Toastmasters circles is a platform for speakers of different nationalities to come on stage and try to compete with each other to become champions of the district.

This DTAC will be held at the Intercontinental Hotel in Abu Dhabi from 21st to 23rd May 2009 for the first time. More than 800 Toastmasters from the 13 Divisions and 7 countries making up District 79 are expected to attend the 21 – 23 May DTAC. The theme for DTAC 2009 is: Developing Leadership & Communication Towards Achieving Strategies. Anyone can attend. Details can be found in the DTAC website.

Two amazing speakers are giving speeches, Darren Lacroix and Ed Tate.

Darren is the 2001 World Champion of Public Speaking. He has traveled the world demystifying the process of creating a powerful speech. He has roused audiences in faraway places like Oman, Malaysia, and Taiwan with his inspirational journey from first-rate chump to first-class champ, proving anything is possible if you are willing to work for it.

Ed Tate is the 2000 World Championship of Public Speaking. Ed is an international keynote speaker, author, trainer and facilitator for Fortune 500 companies and associations worldwide. Ed has spoken in 13 countries, and on five continents.

You can contact DTAC officials here.

It was a reminder for me today about friends. We take for granted nearly all things that we have by default. Our family, work, friends etc. Although family in top priority I wont be talking on that.

Friends!

We all have friends one time or the other throughout our lives. Some we have for a few days perhaps and some for a lifetime. We remember some old friends when we were in our young school days. Most of these lasted till we left that particular school. At that time, when we thought that they were our best and closest friend, exist no more! A few who we never imagined to be our best pals are the ones still with us and seem inseparable!

We all need friends and so should you be one. For good times and bad, they are the ones we celebrate with. A shoulder to cry on when we have lost a loved one, a pet, when hurt, when the world seems to be against us. To celebrate a victory, a birthday, new job, new life, a promotion.

In every step of our lives only friends help us through most of the time.

I am trying to search for all friends I have known when I was in school and college. Back then there was no Facebook or Orkut or any other socializing networks. Luckily I have found many, thanks to these websites and Google.

Look back into your life and remember the friends you had and the good times or bad you had together and reminiscence those moments. Find your lost friend. Thank your friends for all they have done. Life is short and we should not forget to thank those who were with us in sorrow and joy.

This is a lovely song and is a tribute to all my friends.

That’s What Friends Are For Lyrics
song performed by Dionne Warwick in the album Dionne Warwick – Greatest Hits (1979-1990)

And I never thought I’d feel this way
And as far as I’m concerned
I’m glad I got the chance to say
That I do believe I love you

And if I should ever go away
Well then close your eyes and try
To feel the way we do today
And then if you can remember

**
Keep smiling, keep shining
Knowing you can always count on me, for sure
That’s what friends are for
For/In good times and/in bad times
I’ll be on your side forever more
That’s what friends are for

Well you came and opened me
And now there’s so much more I see
And so by the way I thank you

And then for the times when we’re apart
Well then close your eyes and know
These words are coming from my hearts
And then if you can remember

** Repeat three times