I must confess that public speaking remains a big phobia for me. Delivering speeches or making presentations has never been a comfortable event for me. Given a chance, I always try to escape from this activity by searching some excuse. However, there have been unavoidable occasions when I have not been able to run away from performing this act.
My nightmare begins no sooner than the information is received that I will have to say a
“ few words” from the podium, even though it may be a brief introduction of the “ VIP” before inviting him for his “Key-note” address. Immediately the styles of Vajpayee, Obama or Amitabh Bachchan start moving before me for being considered to be adopted for the occasion. What would impress the audience most? The language (dramatics) or the substance (message)? But in spite of repeated rehearsals, normally both have failed me at the key moments. I feel a lump in my throat while informing the audience that
“Mr. so and so has been kind enough to grace this occasion in spite of his very busy schedule” It is because I know, he has been sending feelers for weeks now to organizers of the event to get this invitation.
And then as soon as I return to my place, having completed the ‘ task’ satisfactorily, I realize, Arrey! That particular point of humour, which was reserved by me all these days to be definitely spoken for providing a punch in my address simply vanished from my memory while I was at podium. But nothing can be done at this point, because by now the “big-fellow” has already started expressing his ‘pleasure’ and ‘pride’ for being able to participate in this function.
I console myself by murmuring, “ O.K.”. next time I will prepare better. I will try to convert this type of introduction into a vote of thanks!!’’