Young Genius
If there is one thing that comes naturally to N.K.Abhirami, a Standard VIII student at Satchidananda Jothi Nikethan Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Kallar, it is speaking.She can speak on any given subject and needs no special preparation. Abhirami has won the first place at the district level for English elocution contest 11th time consecutively. She was selected as the “Young Genius” by Divyodaya Inter Religious Centre, Coimbatore, in 2007 and she has been winning the first place in the State –level English Elocution contest conducted by the Tamil Nadu Government’s Youth Talent Search Scheme for this year and the last. Ever since Standard V, she has been drawn towards the art of speaking. “Facing a large crowd and putting your ideas across without fumbling is indeed a challenge,” she says. To be a good speaker, one needs confidence, dedication, knowledge of the subject, command over the language and voice modulation, she elaborates.Elocution competitions test the real speaking skills of the individual as it doesn’t give the participant more than five minutes to prepare and five minutes to speak. It, however, improves the confidence levels of the person and enables a balanced development of the personality.Unlike other contests, not many students take part in elocution, she says. Schools should encourage students to form elocution clubs. The Government should also take interest in promoting elocution, she said.Abhirami is also good in studies, table tennis and painting. Her reading habit helps her in keeping up-to-date with current affairs. “My school encourages students to take part in elocution. I am going to start a club in my school,” she says.Though through practice she has managed to overcome stage-fright, she feels she has not completely got over it. “But, I am working on it,” she adds.
