Dr Renuka

Dr Renuka Nambiar receiving Certificate of Achievement from the Organizer Lee Chye Ewe

A few friends called me Sifu (master) instead of my name. Dr Renuka is one of them. 

I first met her during a Toastmasters function. I was one of those who tried to charter a club in Lahad Datu especially so when one of my former club members, David Chong, was posted there. However things did not really materialize until Dr Renuka wrote an email to Toastmasters International asking how she could start a club. 

Her request eventually went to Norman Chin. I was not officially involved in chartering the club but I played my part. The Club was eventually chartered and Dr Renuka became the first club President. The rest, as the saying goes, was history. 

She called me Sifu because she consulted me on many things, mostly regarding Toastmasters and public speaking. When she took up the challenge to organize a division conference she too consulted me. 

Jokingly I told her I wasn't the correct person to be consulted as there were people holding official positions whom she should refer to. However she insisted that I gave better advice and guidance. Being me, I had no problem in helping out. When she and her husband drove all the way to meet up with me, I went through the whole organizing process in detail with her. I even passed her my file of records on all the things I did when my club was organizing a similar event earlier. 

I also left my number with her committee members just in case they needed help. Indeed her committee members too called me a few times. 

Dr Renuka was very pleased with what I did. Just before her big event, I told her not to mention my name during her speech. She did not agree but I told her not to put people in official position, in an embarrassing position. She finally agreed even though she felt that my help should be acknowledged. I told her I have been a regular blood donor and helping others without being known is too common to me. 

Many months later after her success in organizing the conference, someone with an official position then found out that I was actually helping out in the conference. That person made a big fuss out of it. So Dr Renuka confronted the person. She was told not to associate with me as I am a person not to be trusted! 

Dr Renuka told the person off as choosing a friend is personal and non of anyone else's business! Yes, she appeared soft and diplomatic but she is firm with her principles. That's why we remain friends until today. 

When I approached her to speak on World Speech Day Malaysia, she agreed right away despite having many things to deal with during that time. She came down with her husband and their autistic son. Two other speakers from Lahad Datu came along. 

Despite the fact that both she and her husband are doctors and having an autistic son, she is not embarrassed about it. She instead spoke on "Lessons on H.O.P.E", about autism, about her. She even brought along bracelets her son has made and showed them to the audience that night. Her speech touched many hearts.

When I went on stage to present her with a Certificate of Achievement, I requested a bracelet from her and she was more than happy to give it to me. 

When we had breakfast the morning after, I showed the bracelet I was wearing to her son! 

In fact, I should call Dr Renuka Sifu as I have learned a lot of things from her!

#UnexpectedVoices #WorldSpeechDayMalaysia