District Leaders - Toastmasters District 127

District 127 Director

Deepa Surendran, DTM

My dear District 127 family,
Greetings!

In 2019 the tragic experience of losing my young daughter shattered my very being and I never expected coming back to anything that involved interaction with anyone. We became a family of 3, my husband Surendran Pariyanghat, younger daughter Arundati and myself. Arundhati who was just 16 was devastated when her chechi - her elder sister, guide and friend was snatched away from her; yet she tried her best to be a pillar of strength for her parents. She followed all the prescribed rituals as per Hindu customs, immersing her sister’s ashes in Bharathappuzha in Thirunnavaya, Kerala and in the Ganges at Varanasi chanting mantras to help her sister’s soul attain Moksha.

Numerous opinions and advise on managing grief poured in from people, some of whom were even doctors and counsellors. But however well-meaning their words may have been, our anguish was too raw; we found no solace. It was at that point, that I experienced a very sensitive and understanding approach from the family of Toastmasters. They were close at hand when I needed them, but discreetly stayed away when I wanted to grieve alone. If it was DTM Nelson who offered me the silent role of a Timer at the District judges training, it was DTM Rupesh who arranged a perfect seat for me at the right distance from the crowds. The quiet and comforting handshakes offered by DTMs Balaji, Abraham Thomas, Gurbinder Punn and Wilson sent energy pulsing through my numb body and bleeding heart. If DTMs Lakshmi and Usha soothed me by talking to me for hours, DTMs Sowmya and Anuradha diverted my mind with interesting discussions. These are just a few names; I had an entire family of Toastmasters praying for me in my darkest hour along with my own family. Those prayers sustained me then, and they continue to bolster my courage even now because grief still haunts me.

Dear Toastmasters, it is your constant encouragement, tireless support and unwavering trust that has given me the fortitude to take charge of a brand-new District. It has also reinforced my own belief that nothing is impossible in this world?

The organization that we all are proud to be a part of is set to hit a milestone this term; YES Toastmasters is turning 100 soon. I believe that each one of us in District 127 has a special reason for being here and a unique story to share. I request all the Area Directors to publish your members’ stories and experiences on your respective Social Media channels in the month of July. You may recommend the best stories to our PRM for posting them on our website as well. You never know, our PRM may announce spot prizes based on the number of likes/reads each story gets.

Dear Toastmasters, let us vow to take the maximum out of our memberships this year. Deliver your best and the most number of speeches, grab as many leadership roles as you can, take self-growth to a new pinnacle by putting your heart and soul into every responsibility you shoulder. Our endeavors this year to challenge our boundaries and surpass all previous performances will help us build a strong and secure foundation for a better tomorrow.

Please excuse me if you felt that my message as District Director bordered on the personal. There is a fact that I need to acknowledge; for me Toastmasters is not an impersonal setup that helps me develop my professional skills but it's my personal space too, and dear District 127 members, that’s why you are my family too.

Cheers,

Deepa Surendran, DTM
District Director
District 127
Toastmasters International

TM Mini Kunhukuttan

Finance Manager

“He who fails to plan, is planning to fail”– said Winston Churchill
This is true in every aspect of life – Personal growth, Business, Corporates, Governments, and in Toastmasters!

Just as planning for DCPs, DTMs, Triple Crowns, etc is important, financial planning is also very important. Better said, more important.

District 127 is a new born baby of Region 11 on 1st Jul 2023. No, it is not a baby, it is a new startup with highly talented leaders to lead the venture supported by its dedicated and committed members.

The success of any venture is the efficient use of its financial resources. As your District Finance Manager, myself, TM Mini Kunhukuttan, will strive to manage the financial resources of our District. Together let us plan to build a successful and vibrant District 127 with the best Interiors (Clubs) with a sound Base (members), quality Pillars (Areas), and strong Board rooms (Divisions).

With this vision in mind, let us sail together successfully to make District 127 shine with poise and grandeur.

Best Regards
TM Mini Kunhukuttan
Finance Manager
District 127
Toastmasters International

Vipin Divakar, DTM

Administration Manager

“In light of the post-COVID realities, organizations, including Toastmasters, have undergone necessary adaptations. Unfortunately, these adaptations have resulted in the loss of certain unique aspects that made Toastmasters special. It is crucial for current leaders to reflect on this and actively work towards restoring Toastmasters to its pre-COVID state. Can we achieve this?

Moreover, we must not underestimate the power of delivering speeches in front of live audiences, as it is the key to the success of Toastmasters’ communication platform. Our primary focus should be on nurturing and delivering high-quality speeches in front of dynamic Toastmasters. This should be applicable to each individual club incorporating in their educational goal. By doing so, members will naturally regain their passion and enthusiasm.

For every Toastmaster, the opportunity to serve as a servant leader holds immense significance. As District Administration Manager, my commitment lies in facilitating effective communication among all district leaders to implement positive changes and advancements that benefit every member of our district clubs. I want to emphasize that I will treat all responsibilities entrusted to me with the utmost importance, and those will be executed diligently with the unwavering support of my team and the district excom leaders.

Our ultimate objective is to establish a Toastmaster district that leaves a lasting legacy of personal transformation and empowerment for each individual within District 127, thereby uplifting their personal , professional and social lives.

Together, we will forge connections of understanding, foster personal and professional growth, and cultivate a sense of belonging within our Toastmasters family.”

Best Regards

Vipin Divakar, DTM
Administration Manager
District 127
Toastmasters International
Email: vipindivakar@gmail.com
Mob : +971 55 6070 575 / +971 50 5518 928

Shanil Palliyil, DTM

Logistics Manager

“It is never too late or too soon
It is when it is supposed to be..”

District 127 – a brand new District !!!

I am delighted to assist the new team for the new term. I really feel honored to be appointed as the District Logistics Manager, and I will do my best to achieve our goals. I am also very happy to see a bunch of efficient servant leaders who are ready to create history.

As a team, i ensure my wholehearted support to assist them in their journey in all the possible ways. We are ready to give you a brand-new experience. Are you ready to experience it ????

Shanil Palliyil, DTM
Logistics Manager
District 127
Toastmasters International

Anita Naidu, DTM

IT Manager

Hello District, 127 family. Hope you all are in high spirits and good health.

At the outset, let me introduce myself as a passionate toastmaster for 9 years and I will be serving as the IT Manager for Toastmasters District 127 in the 2023-24 term,

My vision is to harness the power of AI technology to enhance the learning experience and skill development of our members. I firmly believe in the importance of continuous learning and improvement, and I see the current wave of technological progress as a golden opportunity to blend traditional Toastmasters meetings with AI applications.

To achieve this vision, my plan is to introduce various AI tools that can assist members in constructing speeches and mastering evaluation techniques. These tools will seamlessly integrate with our manual mentoring process, providing additional support and feedback. The focus will be on helping members enhance their communication skills, improve time management, organize speeches effectively, employ novel meeting techniques, and engage with fellow members more effectively.

Accessibility will be the key, and I will be working with club officers to ensure that all members have easy access to the recommended AI apps during meetings and beyond.

The goal is to create a dynamic learning environment where members in District 127 can benefit from both human feedback and AI insights, enabling them to grow as confident and effective communicators.

Together, we will embrace the opportunities presented by AI technology and create an environment where District 127 Toastmasters can thrive and achieve their communication goals.

Anita Naidu, DTM
IT Manager
District 127
Toastmasters International

Harish Krishnan, DTM

Web Master

Having been assigned the role of Web Master for the District 127 website, I am filled with immense gratitude. My passion for technology and its potential to revolutionize businesses and communities makes me thrilled to have the opportunity to use my skills and experience to elevate this portal to the next level.

As the Web Master, my primary responsibility is to ensure that the portal is user-friendly, efficient, and effective in meeting the needs of our members and stakeholders. Collaborating closely with the District 127 team, I will ensure that the portal is regularly updated with relevant and compelling content, and that it is optimized for search engines and other digital platforms.

My vision for this portal is to create a dynamic and interactive space that fosters engagement, collaboration, and innovation. My goal is to make the portal a go-to resource for our members and stakeholders, providing them with the information and tools they need to achieve their objectives and make a positive impact in their communities.

I am excited to take on this challenge and look forward to working with the team to make this portal the best it can be.

Cheers

Harish Krishnan, DTM
Web Master
District 127
Toastmasters International

District Awards