Haklo’n ke Khiladi!! PART-2

Ha ha. haa…Hiee every one, again  mmmmyself A… A.. Atul Singh from Lucknow. Thanks all of you for your valuable feedback, it was really overwhelming to know that I managed to connect not only to special people (read PWS) like us but also to few  normal people.  Not taking much time lets continue to my story. Well after the Workshop in Herbertpur, all the way to Lucknow, was just remembering what I learned these 3 days.  I bounced to the ticket conductor while asking for ticket to Delhi. Chatted to the girl on next seat with general questions like “how much time it would take to Delhi”, “What will be the route” etc.  I observed that I was finding every possible way to talk to other people. During those 3 days I unknowingly had talked too much with other persons and that too without any hesitant and that was a pretty new thing to a quiet soul like me. Before that I was pretty silent type of person. Earlier I only speak when it’s utterly important and that too in very short phrases. And this was a big change for me. Ya I learned Bouncing, I learned Prolongation, gentle onset etc. I learned I can correct my block before its coming (Pre-Block correction), while being in block (IN-Block correction) and also after the block occurred (Post-Block correction). I learned Deep breathing; I learned how to relax myself by moving my shoulders (like Michael Jackson hahaha).

But one thing I learnt more, and that was the turning point. I learnt to be myself. I learnt how to be Atul, the real Atul. The Atul who is funny, the Atul who is confident, the Atul who is expressive, the Atul who has answers to every question (even answers for other’s answers), the Atul who is naughty, the Atul who is Flirty, and yes the Atul who was lost somewhere-sometime in childhood. I discovered the Atul who doesn’t think what others will think of his speech. “If they mind, let them do that’s their problem”.

 So I came back Lucknow with a different mind-set and a different view towards this speaking challenge. I remember I went to attend a business meeting straightway after giving a competitive exam with examination centre 45 KM away, I somehow managed to reach the venue for meeting just at time (actually I was 10 minutes late). I knew I would be one of the audiences as that day the presentation was to be given by one of my friend-cum-business partner. I was quite tired (also suffering from viral infection), so just grabbed a seat 7 was ready for half an hour presentation. But Soon I came to know that the friend who had to show the presentation is not feeling well. As I was thinking “ok now the presentation will be carried out by one of our seniors”, one of senior asked me “Atul why not you show the presentation today” and I didn’t know how to react and in the flow I said yes sir... And he stood-up went to the white board and conveyed all “Aaj humare beech ek young, energetic aur ubharte hue business person Atul ji  aap logo k samaksh presentation prastut karenge…… Welcome Atul ji!!” And in between all the claps & cheering ATUL JI was like “OMG I have to give presentation now!!” I wasn’t prepared for it, was very terrified at that moment. When I stood up from chair I was very nervous, I thought I might stammer, I thought I will certainly stammer. All the embarrassment incidents due to stammering came in my mind in fraction of seconds. The stammering I had while my farewell party, the stammer I got while oral test in class 5^th, The stammer I had While giving Answers to my project guide in BCA, the stammer I had while my first interview, the stammer I had while explaining dad that why I don’t wanna do BDS & wanna Pursue BCA-MCA instead…………………. But while all these i also thought of the workshop I had few days before, and words of Sachin sir. Till that time I reached the board, Picked up the marker with shivering hands and turned towards audience. I know I have to do it now, the words of Sachin sir echoed in my mind “Enjoy yourself, jab aap cheezo ko enjoy karoge to aap acche se kar paoge”. I turned towards audiences, I showed my evergreen and super cute smile to them (I’m not hifiing myelf, people say I have very cute smile B-) ) And then I started my presentation, easily, calmly and more importantly in a very light hearted note. I forgot that few peoples are very senior to me. I gave presentation as all people seated in front are my friends…. In other words I can say that I became relatively casual with them and that’s the crux. I demonstrated my presentation very cool-ly, When I was about to go in block I just stop speaking and start writing something on board, I was just drawing lines on board or underlining words while speaking and emphasising on certain words. While I sense a block will occur I simply stop speaking, smile from ear to ear and start counter-questioning others in pre-text of knowing how much homework they did before the meeting. I tried to make it interactive as much it could be and thus I managed my stammer and also my fear to stammer while completing the presentation which was exceptional according to others. But the best part was not their praise but their happiness. Seeing your friends and dear ones being happy for you for your efforts is simply priceless. I still remember after the presentation one of my close friend came up to me, happiness was glowing from the face and just said “So, the workshop worked??” and I was just smiling, I really dint had words that time.

I’m not saying that I didn’t stammer now, actually my stammering is as it was earlier. But the thinking that I should avoid presentations, Demonstrations etc. is gone. So when I came back home and analysed what the hell I did today, I was clear that from now onwards I have to be like this only. Do whatever you like, but just BE HAPPY, BE COOL & MOREOVER BE YOURSELF and DO NOT LET YOUR STAMMER STOP YOU FROM DOING ANYTHING.

 Ok guys & gals gonna call a pws from Allahabad. He can’t make it to this workshop & is now contacting pws who attended it. This type of internal communication every now & then helps a lot.In next Article I will tell about my efforts towards Starting a SHG here in Lucknow &/or nearby cities and our mini SHG meets with Pramod bhai here in Lucknow & with Akash bhai in Gonda.