A toast to life and more

BANGALORE: As a child, she was never a public speaker. Even as a lecturer during her 50s, there was an occasion when she went completely blank, fumbling on stage while addressing an audience. But today at 62, Sumitra Manmohan is the first distinguished woman toastmaster (DTM) from Bangalore. There are only six other women across India with such recognition.
She is an inspiration for many. But success has not come easy. “It took me eleven years and crossing four levels to reach where I am. The toughest challenge is being regular and determined considering the entire process of turning a toastmaster is voluntary,’’ she explains.
In a lighter vein, she says: “People who first talk to me on phone think I am in my 20s. I enjoy the change in their expressions after they see me.’’
Who said toastmasters are only for talking? Over the years, Sumitra has also been working on bringing about some changes in individuals and the society using her toastmaster craft. In 2004, she organized an inter-club programme — for the first time, using toastmasters — to build awareness on road safety in association with an NGO Friends for Life.
She even conducted free speechcraft exclusively for the dyslexic students in association with Times Foundation as part of her high performance leadership programme. The movie Taare Zameen Par inspired her act, giving her confidence, she says.
Sumitra is keen on mentoring women entrepreneurs and also hopes to bring about a change in politics with her speechcraft. “It’s a distant dream but I am confident. What we learn through toastmasters is changing the world by changing lives by changing ourselves. I am already in the process,” says Sumitra who is a corporate trainer by profession.