The ‘Whispering’ Fear
A Red-Letter Day Today!
24th July 2025 | An Inspiring True Story that Happened Today!
Today is a real red-letter day for many of us in the Office of International Programmes.
That’s because two of our sweetest kids who are interning in our Office, had the courage and the mettle to trample their fears, beneath their feet, and come out as better versions of themselves.
For our blogpost today, let us discuss Amanda first!
Well, Amanda is such a brilliant student. Her voice, usually so clear and confident among close friends, would desert her the moment she is asked to speak out in front of a class. Her heart would pound, and a knot would tighten in her stomach, trapping her in the cage of her deepest fears.
Well, it wasn’t a fear of not knowing what to speak! Rather, it was a crippling fear of judgment, of saying something ‘wrong,’ and the laughs that might follow as a result.
Whenever her classmates spoke confidently, she’d watch them with such awe and wonder! Meanwhile, she would sink lower in her seat, hoping to become invisible – forever!
This fear, however, was starting to impact her academic experience in MCC, beyond just class participation.
She knew she was missing out lots on the vibrant academic experience that MCC is quite known for, by staying aloof from the brighter side of Campus life – and by not taking part in Extempore, Oratory, Elocutions, Quiz events, Group discussions, etc.
She’d contribute just for namesake, quite minimalistically at that, often letting others dominate, even when she had such valuable insights.
Her professors too, for their part, while acknowledging her written work, often left comments like, “Excellent understanding, Amanda, but I’d love to hear your voice more in class”.
That’s when the turning point happened.
One of her seniors, Mr. Sabari who was also an Office Intern in our office, took it upon himself to mentor and motivate his junior day after day.
Days rolled into weeks! And weeks into months!
One morning, when the Dean asked her, if she could give a talk for the final year students on Opportunities for Higher Studies Abroad, her initial reaction was,
‘Opportunities like this rarely knock twice. So why not give it a try?’.
She was so tired of feeling invisible, of her own potential being stifled by a whisper.
So with a deep breath and a surge of uncharacteristic bravery, she said ‘Yes’ to her Professor.
Boldly.
The red-letter day came.
In the company of the Global Student Ambassador Ms. Goldina, she delivered her maiden speech to a class of 60 students.
And how!
With each word, her voice gained a fraction more of strength, and an iota more of confidence. She even managed to make firm eye-contact and good body language, to the students who were listening in rapt attention to her talk.
A turning point indeed it was, today for Amanda.
She had succeeded in her first brave attempt at public speaking.
She now knew first-hand, for herself, that it was this easy.
She soon started gaining confidence in her own unique ‘phenomenality’.
More importantly, Amanda felt a profound sense of empowerment.
She was no longer a ghost in front of the class!
She was a contributing member, her voice was finally heard, and her ideas were finally being shared.
Amanda had not only overcome her fear but had also discovered the strength and power of her own voice – by speaking out her thoughts boldly and courageously!
At last…
Her voice was heard!
Or rather,
She made her voice to be heard!
Coming back -
Nelson Mandela once said that,
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
Complementing this statement, J. Krishnamurti, a renowned educationist says that -
“The real function of a good education is to help each individual to be free of fear”.
Adding up to this axiomatic statement, with Roosevelt’s famous line -
“Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the assessment that something else is more important than fear”.
Which means, to be really educated, is to have overcome one’s fears!
More power to you Amanda and to all ye vibrant young minds who are trying your best to face your fears and trample them beneath your feet!
Goldina follows...
[names changed]
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