Overcoming Fear, Embracing Growth, and Finding My Voice
1991 — In a College Courtyard.A group of students waited for their turn to present themselves. It was the Meet the Candidate session of the college election campaign. The courtyard served as an open stage, with Gulmohar and Indian Mast trees lined up in a row, forming a natural backdrop. Students from all streams stood on all three floors, eagerly waiting for their favorite candidates to address them.
From college chairman candidates to class representatives from various student political and non-political organizations, each took their turn to speak. The atmosphere was a mix of voices — candidates delivering speeches, applause, comments, and, in between, loud chants of slogan-shouting supporters backing their preferred political parties.
Among them, one student stood with mixed emotions, battling the overwhelming urge to run away. He never wanted to address a crowd and was terrified of speaking in front of hundreds of students. When his turn finally came, he fumbled, his voice weak and shaky, but somehow managed to introduce himself.
The moment he finished and stepped away from the microphone, he felt an immense sense of relief.
That student, who once feared public speaking and fumbled through his introduction, was me — exactly 33 years ago.
I was always a literary enthusiast, writing essays for school competitions. I was also an avid quizzer and had a decent knowledge of current affairs. But public speaking? That was a different challenge altogether. It wasn’t just stage fright; it was the fear of failure due to my lack of the right vocabulary.
I always wanted to be a public speaker, but in those days, the only opportunities we had were listening to political leaders from different spectrums or attending cultural events.
Would you believe that I once listened to then-Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi — from the front rows? It was during a political campaign, and somehow, I managed to reach the front, or rather, people gave way to the little child I was. A national leader speaking — someone who had just arrived in a helicopter! I was fascinated by his white kurta, sunglasses, and effortless speech. Of course, there was a Malayalam translator too.
After school, one person I listened to with great interest was Kerala’s own Sukumar Azhikode — the king of oratory. I attended half a dozen of his speeches and was always mesmerized by how he played with words, shared rich experiences, and expressed thoughts through anecdotes. His speeches flowed like a river. People never cared about his political affiliations or differing opinions — his thoughts were widely accepted. He dedicated his life to literature and intellectual discourse.
Another influential speaker I listened to was Lal Krishna Advani — the man who shaped a political party with his Rath Yatras. That was in 1996 when I had just started my career as a temporary staff member at a scheduled bank. His speech was long, with a translation, and had an aggressive tone throughout. He traveled the length and breadth of India, gathering people, and eventually, his efforts resulted in the first BJP-led government at the center.
Atal Bihari Vajpayee was another great orator. His style was different — poetic, filled with anecdotes and verses. Unfortunately, I never had the opportunity to listen to him in person, but his speeches are widely available on video-sharing platforms.
As part of my profession, I had the opportunity to listen to one of India’s greatest sons, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Azad. I have witnessed him speak in simple yet powerful words. Whenever he spoke, he inspired millions of Indians, especially children.After every event, he would go beyond protocol and interact with the children. I always admired how he asked questions to the crowd and engaged with them. It wasn’t just his oratory skills that made him special, but the way he connected — with innocence, wisdom, and sincerity. His simplicity and profound knowledge continue to inspire people like me and millions of others.
One of the most inspiring speeches I have ever heard is Martin Luther King Jr.’s legendary “I Have a Dream.” He spoke slowly and softly, yet his words resonated deeply with people and provoked thought. I revisit his speech whenever I feel demotivated — it never fails to energize me.
Every speaker has a distinctive style and oratory skill. My unquenched thirst to become a public speaker led me to explore various opportunities.
In 2015, I joined Rotary International and took on several roles, each serving as a stepping stone into the vast arena of public speaking. Over the past couple of years, I have consciously created opportunities to visit clubs as a speaker and develop structured speech modules.
In 2023–24, I introduced a speaker topic, “Pursuit of Happiness,” which narrates my journey as a marathon runner and elaborates on how I achieved my goals after turning 40. In 2024–25, I developed a fun and engaging session titled “What’s in a Name?” exploring the fascinating stories behind people’s names. This year, I speak on “Together, We Rise” — a theme rooted in the humanitarian efforts of Rotary International, highlighting its top five community service projects and inspiring members to embrace the Rotary motto: Service Above Self.
I am also an active member of Toastmasters International, where I regularly participate in meetings, deliver speeches, and take on various roles. Toastmasters has helped me refine my public speaking skills professionally, making me a better leader and a more confident communicator.
The boy who once shied away from his Meet the Candidate event is now a confident speaker. He no longer fears public speaking. Instead, he actively seeks opportunities to improve, invest in learning, and refine his skills.
And one day, he will become a great speaker!