Name: Raghavi G

Project 1: Ice breaker speech

Title: Person behind the scenes

Time: 3 - 4 Minutes

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Good afternoon everyone,

Introduction

My name is Raghavi and I am very delighted to be able to give my first speech here.

I am 11 years old and in Grade 7. I was born in Chennai a little early than my parents expected me to be.  My mother says I looked like a beautiful red apple with two sparkling eyes.

Parents

My mother’s name is Aparna, a Bangalorean and father’s name is Ganapathy, a Chennaite.  I spent my initial month in Bangalore and came back to Chennai in summer.  My mother is a working professional and spent good time with me and then joined back office. I missed her so much in the day that I never let her sleep and only cuddle me all night.

School

Time passed and I joined school, which is only 100 metres from her office and so you know how close I am to my mom.

I started reading and writing alphabets and then came the longest vacation for all of us. Well, are you thinking about vacation for all? Oh, I meant the Covid- 19 lockdown.

It was best time for me since, I don’t have to go to school, initially no homework, and so much screentime.

My parents started working from home and I also contributed my share by sitting on their lap and undid their tasks. I grew up with my mom’s colleagues as my first friends who always be very happy to see me on screen and ask me rhymes.

Later came the misfortune of school reopening and I missed them so much. I found it hard at first since we had to write so much and I cried so much due to pain in my arms. It was endless and so many recitals, competitions, test and exams.

Eventually school introduced many sports, and we felt relieved and that went on till Grade 5. My mother thought, I am being so happy enjoying all freedom and changed me to a different school.

Friends, Hobbies, Sports

I really missed my old friends and most of them relocated to different places as well. Now after two years in this school, I have made new friends, developed hobbies like drawing, singing and started to learn Sanskrit and Slokas.

I love participating in volleyball, kho-kho, dodgeball and many other games. I also love cycling and sometimes ride in main roads with my parents in early mornings.

Personal Interests

I also developed book reading habit after going through some books my mother reads and hence got a library membership for me. I now read many storybooks and let my parents take care of my school textbooks.

My parents help me in studying during my exams and we spend a lot of time playing, discussing, fighting and crying during exams.

Recently, I have developed interests in cooking and learned to make Rasam, Dosa, making Coffee/Tea for my parents.

I would like to develop many skills and added public speaking to the list this year. I wish to be a confident speaker and overcome my fear and able to learn more vocabulary

Thank you

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Ice Breaker Speech – Details
Time Limit: 3–4 minutes

Purpose: The Ice Breaker speech is your first step in public speaking. It’s an opportunity for members to get to know you and for you to build confidence speaking in front of an audience.

Suggested Topics to Include:

• Your background and upbringing

• Hometown and culture

• Family

• School or college life

• Friends and memorable moments

• Favorite food, sports, or movies

• Hobbies and interests

• Personal experiences that shaped you

Tip: Speak from the heart, keep it simple, and let your personality shine.

Wishing you all the very best.
Your voice matters the most.

 The Journey of NextGen Speaker Hamrutha Suresh Kumar

The Speaker’s Roadmap to Success

Name: Hamrutha Suresh Kumar

1. Ice Breaker Speech - The Mysteries of the Ocean

2. Project 2: Structured Speech - Procrastination

The Journey of NextGen Speaker Nakshatra Suresh Kumar

The Speaker’s Roadmap to Success

Name: Nakshatra Suresh Kumar

1. Ice Breaker Speech - My Favorite Festival – Diwali

Name: Hamrutha Suresh Kumar

Ice breaker speech

Title: The Mysteries of the Ocean

Time: 3 - 4 Minutes

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Hello everyone! 👋

Have you ever stood by the ocean, watching the waves crash and wondered — what’s hiding under there?

Well, today, I’m going to take you on a little adventure... under the sea! 🌊

You know, whenever I go to the beach, I love watching the waves come and go. The sound of the water, the salty smell in the air, and the endless blue stretching to the horizon — it always makes me feel peaceful but also... curious. What lies beneath those waves?

The ocean is HUGE — it covers more than 70% of our Earth. That means most of our planet is actually water, not land! Isn’t that surprising?
But here’s the craziest part — more than 80% of the ocean has never been explored!

That’s like having a giant backyard and never knowing what’s inside it. Maybe there are treasures... or monsters... or just a lot of fish having a dance party down there! 💃🐠

So, why haven’t we explored it all?
Because the ocean is super deep. The deeper you go, the darker it gets. Sunlight can only reach so far — after a few hundred meters, it’s pitch dark.

And the pressure down there is so strong that it could crush a human or even a normal submarine. Exploring the ocean is almost like going into outer space — but instead of stars, you see glowing jellyfish! ✨

Still, brave scientists have sent special submarines and robots deep into the sea. And what they’ve discovered is absolutely mind-blowing.

There are creatures that glow in the dark, called bioluminescent animals. They make their own light — to scare away predators or attract prey.

Some fish have glowing eyes. Some jellyfish sparkle like underwater fireworks! 🎆
And some squids flash bright colors to say, “Hey, stay away from me!”

And then there are animals that live near underwater volcanoes — yes, volcanoes under the sea! 🌋
These creatures survive in boiling water, without sunlight, living off heat and chemicals from the Earth itself. Imagine living your whole life in total darkness, without ever seeing the sun! 🌑

Scientists believe that about 91% of ocean animals haven’t even been discovered yet.
That means there are thousands — maybe millions — of animals we’ve never seen before.
Some might look like aliens 👽, or be smaller than a grain of sand, or maybe even as big as a school bus! 🚌🐋

Isn’t that exciting? Somewhere, deep down in the dark, a brand-new creature might be swimming around right now — waiting for humans to find it one day. Maybe one of us here could be that future explorer or marine scientist! 🌊🔬

But it’s not just the creatures that are mysterious. The ocean itself is full of secrets.

Scientists sometimes record weird sounds underwater — and they can’t always explain them.
One famous sound was called “The Bloop.”
It was so loud that it was heard from thousands of miles away!
At first, people thought it might be a sea monster! 🐙
Later, they said it could be ice breaking deep in the ocean. But honestly — who knows? Maybe the real story is still waiting to be discovered!

There are also strange shapes underwater that look like buildings or roads, and some people wonder if they could be from a lost city, like Atlantis!
We don’t know if that’s true, but it shows how mysterious and exciting the ocean really is.

But here’s something important — the ocean isn’t just about cool creatures and mysteries.
It also keeps our planet alive. 🌍
It gives us more than half the oxygen we breathe, helps control the weather, and stores heat and carbon from the air.
In simple words — we need the ocean, and we need to take care of it.

Unfortunately, we’re not always kind to the ocean. Plastic waste, oil spills, and pollution are hurting sea animals and coral reefs. 🐢💔
If we want the ocean to stay beautiful and full of life, we need to protect it — by using less plastic, keeping beaches clean, and spreading awareness about marine life. Even small actions can make a big difference. 🌱

With new technology — like underwater drones, deep-diving robots, and even AI — we’re exploring more of the ocean every year.
Who knows what we’ll find next?
A glowing shark? 🦈
A singing octopus? 🎵
Or maybe... something we’ve never imagined before.

So the next time you’re at the beach, or even looking at a globe, remember this —
Most of our planet is still a mystery.
And the greatest adventure might not be in outer space...
It might be right here on Earth — beneath the waves. 🌊

Thank you! 🙏

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Ice Breaker Speech – Details
Time Limit: 3–4 minutes

Purpose: The Ice Breaker speech is your first step in public speaking. It’s an opportunity for members to get to know you and for you to build confidence speaking in front of an audience.

Suggested Topics to Include:

• Your background and upbringing

• Hometown and culture

• Family

• School or college life

• Friends and memorable moments

• Favorite food, sports, or movies

• Hobbies and interests

• Personal experiences that shaped you

Tip: Speak from the heart, keep it simple, and let your personality shine.

Wishing you all the very best.
Your voice matters the most.

Name: Nakshatra Suresh Kumar

Ice breaker speech

Title: My Favorite Festival – Diwali

Time: 3 - 4 Minutes

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Good evening, everyone!

My name is Nakshatra, and I am very excited to be here with all of you today.

This is my very first prepared speech at NextGen Speakers Club.

Since this is my icebreaker, I wanted to choose a topic that I really love,

something that makes me very happy. Can you guess what it is? Yes, it is Diwali – the Festival of Lights!

Diwali is my most favourite festival, and I wait for it the whole year.

The preparations start many days before. At my home, the fun begins when my mom says, 'It’s time to clean the house!'.

We dust the windows, arrange the cupboards, and make everything neat.

My dad brings home lights, candles, and colourful diyas.

On Diwali day, our house becomes so beautiful!

We hang lights on the balcony, place diyas at every corner, and my mom makes a rangoli with bright colour. When I see the diyas glowing at night, it feels like magic.

The whole street shines with lamps, as if stars have come down from the sky.

Do you all like sweets?

I love sweets! On Diwali, my mom makes laddus, Gulab jamun, and sometimes halwa.

We also buy chocolates. I think I eat more sweets during Diwali than in the whole year!

My favourite is Gulab jamun because it is soft, sweet, and melts in my mouth.

And of course, crackers! My favourite is sparklers because they are shiny and safe.

I like to write my name in the air with them.

Sometimes we burst small flowerpots that shine with colours.

But my parents always remind me to be careful and safe.

But Diwali is not just about sweets and crackers. It has a beautiful story behind it.

My grandmother told me the story of Lord Rama.

After 14 years in the forest, he returned to Ayodhya with Sita and Lakshmana after defeating Ravana.

The people of Ayodhya were so happy, they lit lamps everywhere to welcome him home.

That’s why we light diyas even today – to celebrate the return of Lord Rama and the victory of good over evil

There is also another story about Goddess Lakshmi.

People believe she brings wealth, peace, and happiness to our homes.

That is why we clean our house and decorate it beautifully, so she feels welcome.

So, Diwali is not just a festival of lights, but also a festival of faith, hope, and happiness.

For me, Diwali means joy. It is the time when our whole family comes together.

I get to spend time with my friends, and we all play, eat, and laugh together.

Diwali also means sharing. We give sweets and gifts to our neighbours and friends.

Everyone smiles when they receive them, and I feel happy too.

My parents tell me that Diwali teaches us something important:

that good always wins over evil, and light always removes darkness.

I think that is very true.

Whenever I see a diya burning, I feel it is not just a lamp – it is a small light reminding us to be kind, helpful, and good to others.

Thank you so much for listening to my speech.

I wish all of you a very Happy Diwali in advance!

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Ice Breaker Speech – Details
Time Limit: 3–4 minutes

Purpose: The Ice Breaker speech is your first step in public speaking. It’s an opportunity for members to get to know you and for you to build confidence speaking in front of an audience.

Suggested Topics to Include:

• Your background and upbringing

• Hometown and culture

• Family

• School or college life

• Friends and memorable moments

• Favorite food, sports, or movies

• Hobbies and interests

• Personal experiences that shaped you

Tip: Speak from the heart, keep it simple, and let your personality shine.

Wishing you all the very best.
Your voice matters the most.

Educational Session 

Title - The Power of Non-Verbal Communication

Presented By Mrs. Nalini Kumari A

Date: 05-10-2025

Venue: Zero-6 Dance and Fitness Company, Medavakkam

🧠 What is Non-Verbal Communication?

Non-verbal communication means using:

We convey our Attitude, feelings, messages and emotions without using words. It’s the unspoken language that often speaks louder than words.

 📊 The 7-38-55 Rule

Let me tell you a secret from the world of communication:

·         7% of what we say comes from words.

·         38% comes from our tone of voice.

·         55% comes from our body language.

So even if you say “I’m fine,” but your face looks sad and your shoulders are drooping—people will know you’re not really fine. 

1.     Body language

2.     Facial expressions

3.     Gestures

4.     Eye contact

5.     Tone of voice 

1.     Body Language – physical behavior and mannerisms, this helps you to connect with your audience

Stand tall, shoulders broad, chin up	Avoid sloucing, fidgeting, checking time
Firm handshake	Don’t give loose handshake or bone crasher
Move around to connect with the audience	Personal space

2.     Facial Expressions – Begin your speech with a smile. Smile to keep the attitude more positive

Smile when you greet someone	Don’t over smile or be frown
Let your face match your message	Avoid blank face
Read the Room	Avoid touching face

3.     Gestures

Open arms to show friendliness	Avoid crossing arms, it looks unfriendly
Use your hands to explain, point something	Don’t play with your hands
Magic zone	Playing with objects

4.     Eye Contact – Eyes refer to the windows to the soul, it is capable of revlealing what a person feels. Eye contact shows respect and attention

Look at people when you talk	Don’t roll your eyes or stare
Look at the broader view of the room	Don’t stare at one single person
Show interest while listening, use your eyes to listen	Don’t look at the floor or ceiling

6.     Tone of Voice

·         Speak clearly and with energy. Your tone tells people how you feel.

Speak clearly	Don’t mumble or whisper
Vary your pitch	Avoid speaking too fast or slow
Use appropriate volume	Avoid monotone speak

Q&A

1. What does it mean when someone crosses their arms and looks away?

a) They are excited
b) They might be upset or uncomfortable
c) They are dancing

✅ Correct Answer: b) They might be upset or uncomfortable

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2. If you smile at someone, what message are you sending?

a) You are angry
b) You are happy or friendly
c) You are sleepy

✅ Correct Answer: b) You are happy or friendly

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3. What part of your body shows the most non-verbal communication?

a) Your feet
b) Your hands
c) Your face

✅ Correct Answer: c) Your face

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4. What is the rule of 7-38-55 in communication?

a) 7% body, 38% words, 55% tone
b) 7% words, 38% tone, 55% body language
c) 7% tone, 38% body, 55% words

✅ Correct Answer: b) 7% words, 38% tone, 55% body language

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5. What should you do with your eyes when talking to someone?

a) Look at them respectfully
b) Roll your eyes
c) Close your eyes

✅ Correct Answer: a) Look at them respectfully

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6. Which gesture shows you are open and friendly?

a) Arms crossed
b) Hands in pockets
c) Open arms

✅ Correct Answer: c) Open arms

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7. Let’s act it out! Show me your face when you’re:

·         Happy 😊

·         Surprised 😮

·         Angry 😠

·         Sad 😢

🎭 Activity: Let kids act out each emotion and guess each other’s expressions.

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8. What does a firm handshake show?

a) Confidence
b) Sleepiness
c) Confusion

✅ Correct Answer: a) Confidence

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9. If someone speaks in a very soft voice and looks down, how might they be feeling?

a) Confident
b) Shy or nervous
c) Excited

✅ Correct Answer: b) Shy or nervous

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10. What is a Powerfluencer?

a) Someone who uses loud words
b) Someone who influences others with strong body language
c) A superhero

✅ Correct Answer: b) Someone who influences others with strong body language

 Name: Tapesh Chintada

⁠Modulate Your Voice

Title: My marathon experience 

Time: 3 - 4 Minutes

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Good morning everyone! Today, I want to tell you about something that really tested me — running a 20-kilometer marathon.
(~10 seconds)

Now, you might be wondering — what is a marathon?
A marathon is a long-distance running race. The full marathon is about 42 kilometers — that’s like running across the whole city! I ran a shorter version — 20 kilometers — but trust me, that’s still a lot of running!
(~20 seconds)

When I was standing at the start line, I wasn’t thinking about medals or finishing times. I was full of energy — excited, nervous, but ready. My heart was racing, not from fear, but from the thrill of what was ahead.
(~20 seconds)

The place was buzzing with life — [gesture wide] music blasting, the announcer shouting, runners chatting, shoes tapping. It felt like the whole world had come together to run. And then… [pause] the whistle blew.
(~20 seconds)

At the start, it felt amazing. My legs were light, my breathing was easy, and even the music felt like it was carrying me forward. The crowd clapped, kids waved banners, and for the first few kilometers, it felt more like a party than a race. I thought, “Hey, maybe this won’t be so bad.”
(~25 seconds)

But halfway through, everything changed. My legs started to feel heavy. Breathing got harder. The cheering, which was fun at first, now felt like pressure. And the music that had pushed me forward earlier? Now it felt like it was teasing me, going too fast, reminding me of how far I still had to go.
(~30 seconds)

That’s when the real fight began. My legs said, “Slow down.” My lungs said, “Stop.” And my brain kept saying, “Why are you doing this to yourself?” The road ahead looked endless.
(~25 seconds)

Every sound felt like an attack. The bass from the music pounded in my head. The shouting of the crowd blended into one giant roar. My steps felt heavier and heavier. I wanted silence… but there was none. My breathing was rough, my legs shook, and for a second, I thought I might give up.
(~30 seconds)

But then, something changed. In all that noise, I found a rhythm. My feet hitting the ground, one after another. The cheering turning into a steady beat. It wasn’t perfect, it wasn’t easy. It was messy and uneven. But step by step, I matched the rhythm. Slowly, my body stopped fighting, and I started to move with the chaos.
(~35 seconds)

By the last stretch, everything hurt. My calves were burning, my shoulders were tight, and my head was pounding. Honestly, I wanted to stop. But then a little voice in my head said, “You’ve come this far. Don’t stop now.”
(~25 seconds)

So I pushed harder. My legs moved faster, my arms pumped stronger, and I could hear the finish line before I could see it — music blasting, the announcer shouting, the crowd screaming louder and louder. And then finally… [pause, big smile] I saw it. The finish line.
(~30 seconds)

Crossing that line wasn’t about a medal or the time on the clock. It was about proving to myself that I could keep going, even when everything inside me wanted to quit. That marathon taught me something big: life’s challenges will always feel noisy, messy, and sometimes painful. But if you don’t give up, you’ll find strength you never knew you had.
(~40 seconds)

So the next time you face something tough, remember this: every step counts. No matter how far the finish line looks, you’ll get there if you just keep moving forward.
(~25 seconds)

Because in the end, the real victory isn’t just crossing the finish line. The real victory is refusing to quit before you get there.
(~20 seconds)