Stammer Stories: Jaipur Communication Workshop ~ Sunoy Garai

I am a male PWS. I was born in 1996, now 20 years old. My parents originated from Shanti Niketan, West Bengal and are currently living in Gurgaon. Currently I am pursuing hotel management from Instiute of Hotel Management, Pusa, New Delhi.
For the first time in my life I realised that I was a stutterer when in 5th standard my teacher asked to recite a poem from a book. I realised that some words didn’t come out smoothly as they were used to before. The teacher asked me if I was nervous. But frankly, I wasn’t. I just went home and realised how much of an issue this can be.
Years passed and life went on and I just grew up with mild stuttering but was able to participate in an extempore or speech competitions and even won a few of them. After my secondary exams I changed my school. The people were new there and I felt lonely. I was slowly becoming an introvert person as I hesitated to speak to the new faces as I feared that they might judge too quickly. I made a couple of friends but was never the first one to start a conversation.
Two years went quite lonely for me as there was almost no interaction with any of my classmates and I always chose the corner seat where I would not be disturbed. My practical board exams got start and I was preparing for them. Things were going well until the viva. The viva I something like they are throwing stones at you and you have to dodge them. It was tougher for me than any theory exam. The teacher divided the students in groups with each of them having 5 students. When my group’s turn came I was the first one and I knew what I would be going through. The teacher asked all of us to tell the names. I stuttered in my name but somehow got it out. It was my turn and the teacher asked me question. I stuttered horribly and wasn’t even able to complete a whole sentence. The teacher asked me to have a glass of water and come back later. I went outside to drink water and I was thinking that when did I become like this. I was shocked to my core. I came back later and the teacher suggested to the take the viva with only me and not in any group. I agreed. He asked if I was nervous and uncomfortable. I was but I told him I wasn’t. He just told me to relax and answer the questions. Somehow I managed to complete the viva and the teacher wished me to do well in my life and not care about what people say.
After a few months, I moved to college. It was a new chapter of my life and I was afraid that the same would happen in college knowing what happened in school. On the first day itself, I made new friends and I always initiated the conversations. They asked if I had some problem in speaking and I frankly told them that I am a stutterer.
During my second year I noticed a boy was stuttering while ordering something from the canteen. I went upto him and asked if he was also a stutterer. He smiled and said yes. We became buddies after that. One day he said that he found a website which helps people overcome there stutter. We found a contact number from the website and we did not call but messaged, because of obvious reasons and found out that he was the admin of TISA Delhi SHG group. Soon we got the details and attended the first meeting and we were surprised that there were so many people like us. After that we attended some meetings and we felt much better and our morale was quite good.
The college was the best part of my life until the campus placements started. I always kept quiet in Group Discussions and was mostly out of the first round itself. One of my subject teacher told me that I should speak in Group Discussions as the panel won’t know that I stutter until I speak.
He even made me practice to speak in GD’s. Many companies came and I tried hard but couldn’t clear the GD’s. My first break came when Burger King came for placements and I was selected for the Panel Interview. I was nervous but happy. My interview went good and I wasn’t nervous as they already knew that I stuttered. The result came out the next day and I was selected. I couldn’t believe
that I was selected. I informed my parents and they were very happy and proud of me.
My college is about to get over and I have my final exams in May. After that I would be joining Burger King and finally I feel that I have achieved something inspite of the fact that I am a stutterer and it makes me feel very proud.

Chandigarh Comm WS

Kisan Bhawan, Chandigarh

Accounts Shared
Brief Report: Main activities conducted were Stammering Interviews (first among participants, then with strangers) and Mutual videography while phoning. Most participants reported that Interviews with strangers (Rose garden and Sukhna lake) was more challenging and rewarding. But yes, discussions, feedback round and other indoor activities in an AC conference room, were also fun and useful- using a Mic was empowering for many of us.

Organizers were surprised at the high response: participants came from Goa, Maharashtra, MP, Delhi and Uttarakhand. Arrangements: thanks to Jasmeet and Pramod ji, were excellent, affordable and very accessible. Dr Naresh Tejpal distributed trophies and gave his best wishes to participants at the end. BSNL was represented by two senior officers. Anupinder and Hemant must be thanked for their role in making it successful. Abhishek, Rakesh, Dikshit, Dnyaneshwar.. many old faces made the experience FUN. Thanks to all.

The real challenge begins NOW: can you continue these activities and momentum on your own OR with the help of your SHG?

Updated : Communication Workshop 16-17 July (Sat-Sun) at Chandigarh

Mann Ki ba-ba-baat...Dosto ke sath!

List of participants,who participated in workshop-July2016


List of participants,who participated in workshops till 2012-16

Communication Workshop Report by Delhi SHG

If you missed Delhi SHG Communication Workshop, Don't Worry, You can get almost 60% of the workshop just by reading this report. You would have never read a meeting report like this one :) 

Aligarh Comm WS 27-29th December 2014

If you are facing difficulties due to stammering, you are welcome to join. Only twenty seats. Please register early by dropping an email to Sikandar ( sikandar.131@gmail.com ) with copy to ( info@stamer.in ). What happens in a Comm. WS? Check link 1, link 2. OR search within this blog..

To All participants of Comm WS..

Just had a phone call from a participant, which went something like this:
"After return, I went to college; I was able to bounce with friends, even with professor. Then, I came today to coaching- and found that I was not able to bounce at all.."
"Did I not tell you- first play in the street corner cricket, then play at block and district level matches, then, finally state and national level - and only THEN, try and play world series? Dont race through all the stages in just one week.. Please bounce- or use any technique- for next 3 months only with your friends..and go to the next stage of challenge only after you become proficient.."

Dear Participants- please read AHJ and talk to old timers- and follow the suggested long schedule seriously. Dont try to race through the whole process over a week-end. You will get discouraged and you may even give up the whole journey. It is important that you succeed! For that, it is important that you give yourself PLENTY of time.Keep trying - but wisely. Keep discussing these things among yourself.

Mumbai CommWS report

(At last, here is the report for Mumbai Communication workshop. Friends, read it twice. It is worth it. Thanks a lot to Jahnavi from all of us! Editor)

Sir tells me "Janahvi ,call up madam and tell her to come at 10 am tomorrow.".I start thinking in my mind its easy I have to just say "Madam, Sir said tomorrow come by 10 am.". I practice it a couple of times, I call and the phone rings, in those three rings my anxiety shoots up, I'm palpitating and finally what I say is "Hello, Madam mhanje sir bolle ki tumhi na(pause) sir bolle ki (pause) d..d...d...d..daha wajta ya udya". Madam asked me with a little frustration that why was I so confused. I said " I STAMMER " rather clearly this time and all she said was "OK".

Nothing new about the incidence the same embarrassment, depression, frustration and self worth hitting a new high low again. But that day something changed, like someone I truly admire says "It is not about time it is about priorities." That very night a get a call from one of the TISA members talking about a weekend workshop and I instantly felt like a kid in a candy shop looking at something he wanted for a long time but just dint realize until he sees it. I bunked my classes and decided to attend the workshop.

Communication Workshop in Pune

TISA Communication Workshop

Pune - December 6 - 8, 2013
Friends, here are the videos:

Comm WS June 2013

Last day: We had a session of turning attention inwards (can be helpful in stressful situations), role of forgiveness, EFT, practice session on Jo-hari window. Abhishek very courageously volunteered himself for it. Later, we all (including sachin) had a round of volunteering info about our "hidden" self as a part of Jo-hari window exercise. Many participants took advantage of this "kumbh mela" (or VDS) and tried to become transparent and "light". (VDS- Voluntary disclosure scheme)

Comm WS Herbertpur: who are we?

More videos.
कार्यशाला के प्रतिभागतियों का संक्षिप्त परिचय

1 डा. विजय सिंह उत्तर प्रदेश के गोरखपुर से हैं। वर्तमान समय में मेडिकल
आफिसर हैं। टीसा के एक्टिव वालेन्टियर। आपके अनुसार हकलाहट को चुनौती के
रूप में स्वीकार करना चाहिए, समस्या की तरह नहीं।

Update- Communication workshop, Herbertpur (19-21 Apri 13)

List of all Participants, who attended herbertpur april 13 comm.workshop

Logistics update: 
Hotel Kailash has a marriage party booking for just one night (20th April). Hemant has made alternative arrangements in the same hotel for that one day. But if any problem, dont hesitate to see other hotels close by: Hotel Vaibhav (near Lehman Hospital turn)- 9897442659; Hotel Guru Kripa- 09412050922, 01360- 252724, 01360- 252459

Agenda:

Venue: Anugrah, Herbertpur Christian Hospital (meeting room- top floor)

Day 1 (19th April)

9.30 -11.30 am:

Intro Marathan;

Sharing of ground rules; Choose practice partner

Discussion on expectations

Follow up support (How can we help each other after workshop?); Tea

11.30- 1 pm: Introduction to and small group practice of Eye contact, Cancellation and Stretching (prolongation) techniques

पंख ..........

                                        

 
   


   



 आज मेरे कदम पहले से तेज़ हो गए थे ..........मैं बार - बार अपने दोस्तों से आगे निकल जा रहा था ............आज टिकट काउंटर पर बैठा व्यक्ति मुझे अपना दोस्त लग रहा था .........आज मुझे अपना  हकलाना प्यारा लग रहा था।.............आज मुझे लोगो से शिकायत नहीं हो रही थी .......आज दुनिया पहले से जादा खुबसूरत लग रही थी।........आज  जवाहर लाल नेहरु मेट्रो स्टेशन से सेक्टर  15 कब आ गया पता ही  नहीं लगा .......आज मुझे सड़क पर लाल लाइट के बजाय  हरी लाइट जादा साफ़ दिखाई पड़  रही थी ........स्टेशन से कब अपने बिल्डिंग के नीचे वाली पान की दुकान पर आ गया पता ही नहीं चला  ...........क्या  रस्ते छोटे हो गए थे?...... या मेरे पैरो में पंख लग गए थे?........ आज रास्ते  के वाहनों  की आवाज ने मुझे  परेशान भी नहीं किया .....आज मैं तीसरे  फ़लूर पे अपने  कमरे में पहुचने के बजाए  5 मंजिला ईमारत की छत पे पहुच गया।..ये कैसे हुआ? ????......क्या सीडियां  कम हो गयी थी?...... या मैं उड़  के पहुच गया था? ...आज बहुत दिनों बाद अपने घर पे बात करने का मन कर रहा था।...अपने पापा से कहने का मन कर रहा था की पापा चिंता मत कीजिये सब  ठीक हो जायेगा।.....ये क्या हो गया है?.. ये मैं कैसी  बाते कर रहा हु ? ..कहीं मैं पागल तो नहीं हो गया ??...शायद मेरे अन्दर का लेखक आज फिर से जाग गया है!... आज बहुत दिनों बाद ब्लॉग लिखने का मन कर रहा है ..पर ये क्या ????...मेरे शरीर पर पहने हुए कपडे मुझे उतारना  मुस्किल हो गया है  ...मैंने लैपटॉप ओन  कर लिया है ...पर शायद  लैपटॉप की  प्रोस्सेसिंग धीमी हो गयी है  .........बहुत टाइम लग रहा है .........इन्तजार कर पाना मुस्किल है।......ब्लॉगर डैस बोर्ड  खोल लिया है पर कर्सर  के appear   होने का  इन्तजार नहीं कर पा  रहा हु।.....हाँ अब मैं लिख सकता हू ।......पर लिखने से पहले मुझे अपने सवालो के जवाब मिलना जरुरी है।..
     
                तेज़  चलते हुये  अपने कदमो  से मैंने पूछा . ...भाई क्या बात है? आज इतनी जल्द्वाजी  क्यों ?...कदमो ने कहा।.आज आप का उतशाह आपके बिचारो से जादा तेज है ...आप का शारीर इस उर्जा को संभाल  नहीं  पा रहा है।..हम तो बस इस उर्जा को  कंट्रोल   करने की कोसिस कर रहे है।....


          कहाँ से आई  ये उर्जा???? कहाँ  से आया एसा उत्साह?????...याद आया आज मैं देहली में  इंडियन शोसल इंस्टिट्यूट में हुई तीसा  की दो दिनों की  केमिउनिकेसन वर्कशॉप  से लोट  के  आया हू !!!!!!  

Workshop Report

An old workshop report that has never been published :-) http://www.scribd.com/doc/94199116/Communication-Workshop-Report

News from Chennai!

 Chennai two day workshop takes off. Just received the three pics from Raja. I can see the three regulars- Siva, Mani, Vishal... I am sure there are others too, who have been inspiring pws thru their example .. Cheers to Chennai group!

What good is a room full of PWS?

Yes, that is a valid question from a novice. Unless there are some EXPERTS, what good is meeting each other? How would National conference help me, a stammerer speak better? To answer this frequent question, we share a private feedback from a participant of the recent Delhi workshop. This is just an inkling of what a bigger conference can achieve- with YOUR participation.
---------

Hi Doc,

Delhi workshop was a wonderful experience for me; for all other attending TISA members too, I guess.

I would like to raise some of the improvement aspects (regarding the workshop) puzzling in my mind… but, only after sharing the long list of positive points.

Now coming to the actual workshop content, having attended a communication workshop earlier this year at chandigarh, being facilitated by JP, I enjoyed most of the familiar activities, carried on from the chandigarh workshop.

Going outside with TISA banner & posters (pasted on shirt n trouser) was a new experience, quite exciting actually. The company of TISA members throughout this activity made it a wonderful experience, which, might had been a terrible experience if I would had to do it alone.

Seeing India Gate sparkling in artificial lights was a wonderful experience. I always enjoyed traveling in metro whenever I get a chance. Meeting with some wonderful youngsters who listened to us patiently & agreed to help us creating awareness about stammering was a healthy dose of positiveness for me.

This opportunity of getting connected to more than 20 members, having a blend of new members & old ones including yourself, JP & nitin; students as well as working people enriched me with a whole lot of new observations about stammerers.

Some of the incidents have a deep impact on me. I think they are going to make significant changes in me with time. Your words “if you feel pain for someone else’s stammering, it means you have not accepted your stammering yet. You still feel pain for your own stammering.” True words!! Actual acceptance will be accomplished only after draining all the pain of stammering.

Nitin’s words “a severe stammerer like me can’t hide my stammering by any means. So what is the point of any efforts to pretend to be a fluent speaker” What a genuine & straight forward point!!!

I am trying to re-discover my lost genuineness & innocence that I used to carry in my childhood towards my stammering so that I can rise above my fear of stammering.

Now I would like to mention some suggestions/improvement points which we may refer in our forthcoming workshops, considering atleast a 3 days workshop.

We must put more focus on meditation part, stammering being more of a mind game for most of the stammerers. We may try devoting a half day session to mental health exploring various meditation techniques ranging from very short to lengthy sittings, from active meditation to passive meditation techniques...


Ashish

Next Communication Workshop

Updated new brochure :
1. English: //www.scribd.com/doc/68717112/TISA-delhi-workshop
2. Hindi: http://www.scribd.com/doc/68737074/TISA-delhi-workshop-hindi
3. "NEW DELHI METRO ROUTE" http://www.scribd.com/doc/69388465/New-Delhi-Metro-Map

NOTE - finally venue has decided "INDIAN SOCIAL INSTITUTE" 10, institutional area, lodi road, new delhi-110003.(beside sai mandir or near jawahar lal nehru metro station {central sceteriat ; badarpur (violet line)} ) ph no- 011, 49534000 , 49534180.

DEADLINE-> the last date of submitting registration fees is 16/10/2011.

WORKSHOP AGENDA - http://www.scribd.com/doc/67701335/Workshop-Agenda

Dear all,

Tisa is happy to announce its next communication workshop for people who stammer in DELHI. tentative dates are (22,23 october 2011).

Is TISA a cure for stammering?

Many PWS have to ask this question to me. I simple reply them “NO“. You can watch me, I have attended two workshop of TISA but still I stammer. Again they ask hopelessly, then for what purpose TISA is?? This time I give my answer with energetic voice. Tisa removes your fear of stammering not your stammering. You may still speak same as before. But after attending TISA workshop or SHG meeting, I guarantees you that you will no more regret of yourself of being a stammer. Is it less if you get someone who can relief you from your 24×7 mental burden and tensions? TISA will surely do this for you, but you have to give at-least one chance to TISA (Ek baar seva ka mauka de tho sahi). I want to share some changes in my beliefs and attitude which I got after attending TISA workshop.

                                 I was a hidden member of TISA who generally reads blogs and experience of other TISA members (who are recovered). I thought by reading and getting their knowledge & experience, some day I will also cure myself. Then I will complete my all dreams (like cracking jokes, arguments with friends, impress and proposing the beautiful girl of my class etc. actually a long list). But I crossed my 23 but still I was waiting for that day. I took admission in M.tech and from here my real fight starts. There was more time to do something for my speech so I contacted some TISA members by mails and phone no’s. But still I was not able to find a suitable technique which can cure the awkward way of my speaking. This was really a frustrating time for me. I got to know that only one person can help me, who cure himself completely and know the perfect technique to get rid of stammering. I called one day that person, Dr. Sachin sir. I asked, “sir ji ,what is the best thing which really helps a person who stutter”. Sir politely told me that it is “Acceptance”. I said ok. But I was really confusing. How can I cure myself if I accept my stammering? But I thought if a stammering guru told me to do that then at least I have to try this thing one time. First time I told my closed friend about this my problem in a closed room. I stammer more while try to understanding him all the things and emotions related to stammering. But after doing so, I really proud of myself like I won a battle and now nobody will stop me to became a fluent person like others.   

                               But after months, time passed, problem was the same. Only one benefit, at least I could stammer without hesitating in front of that friend. But this was not sufficient. I heard that one of TISA workshop was going to organize at Herburtpur in month of May of this year. I planned to attend this workshop at any cost. This workshop was really a nice experience of my whole life till. Every worry, emotions, questions, tensions, shame, fear, guilty were started to melt down like an ice. Like I found god in Herburtpur. But truly speaking my stammering increases when I came back from workshop and I knew the reason why. I was eagerly waiting for another workshop and this time I took all the responsibility to conduct this workshop and I successfully done this with help of Sachin sir and my stranger friends. 

                             Now I conduct SHG meeting in Delhi regularly and there is no 24×7 ghost in my mind. It give openness in all other aspect of my life even other than stammering. Now I satisfy with my life journey and no more regret why I can’t speak sometime that I want to speak. Now I understand that my life is better and have quality standards than many fluent people. Thanks to TISA and my new TISA family!

Solan workshop is cancelled!

Dear all,
The Solan workshop is cancelled due to insufficient registration. Only one person has actually submitted the registration fee. It is very difficult to organise TEAM events, just on the basis of verbal assurances of participation. But of course, we have not given up! The next workshop (at Solan, or wherever) can be organised if a participant takes up the responsibility of setting it up, which means, a minimum of ten registrations plus logistics for one facilitator- at least 2 weeks in advance of the workshop date. Moral of the story: If you want something, say so and act now! In stead of waiting for the 'right' opportunity ever and ever... Thank you!

Upcoming communication workshop

Dear All,

The Venue and dates for next communication workshop are finalized as below :

Venue: Solan (Hotel Pine Groove, Deunghat, Solan, Himachal Pradesh)
Dates : 26,27,28 August.
Expenses : For a double bed room it will be around Rs 900 per day (you can even get an extra bed/matress) and for meals it will be around Rs 400 per day per person.
Last Date to register : 10th August

The participants will have to contribute Rs 1000 as registration fees, a part of which will be adjusted against their board and lodge expenses (after deducting some direct expenses like board and lodge for the Facilitator. The conference hall is FREE, so most of this Rs 1000 will go towards your meals and room expenses :-) !

Those who are interested can send crossed, account payee checks payable to Mr Nitin Tomer at the following address :

Mr Nitin Tomer
Phone number - 9818350799
D-152, Okhla Industrial Area, Phase-1,
New Delhi - 110020

Also along with sending out a check, please also send an email to jaiprakashsunda at the rate of gmail dot com and n.tomer at the rate of gmail dot com .

The registration fees is NON REFUNDABLE but TRANSFERABLE. The checks will be en-cashed only if we get 10 participants (Dead line is 10th August). In case the workshop gets cancelled, the cheques would be either sent back or destroyed.

Best,
TISA

Role plays & Communication

Practicing speech techniques for PWS can be a very boring task at times! Role plays offer a very interesting alternative. In role plays we learn holistic communication: reading & memorizing dialogues, recalling, improvising, emoting, use of body language, throwing our voice back to the audience, being alert and alive to the moment, working with a group etc... above all, having good fun while talking!
This is the video recording of a play in Hindi "Teen Bhikari" by Dr Girijasharan Agarwal. This play highlights the role of self effort: "Apna hath Jagannath!" - which happens to be TISA's motto too. Actors are the participants of the Mini Communication workshop organized by TISA at Herbertpur, Dehradun.
Well done- Abhishek, Anupinder, Umesh, Saurabh, Rajesh, Rakesh & Nishu!!