Imagine that you are Santosh Yadav, or Maria Sharapova. You have been invited to speak at an All India Girls’ Athletic Meet, as chief guest. Prepare a short speech to motivate the girls to think and dream big and make an effort to fulfil their dreams, not allowing difficulties or defeat to discourage them. The following words and phrases may help you.

• self confident/confidence/sure of yourself

• self assured/assurance/belief in yourself

• morale/boost morale/raise morale

• giving somebody a boost/fillip/lift

• demoralising/unsure of yourself/insecure/lack confidence

'Turn Difficulties into Opportunities'- My Success Mantra

A warm good morning to all of you. It is an honour to be invited as a chief guest at the All India Girls’ Athletic Meet. Looking at the bright and enthusiastic faces of all of the talented girls present here makes me nostalgic. At one point of time, I too used to be sitting in athletic meets like this. My journey from there to here was not devoid of pot holes, but there were fillips that let me going.

Girls, remember that though there may be factors that will try to pull you back in this male chauvinistic world, your confidence will let you sail. Never let such defeats or difficulties demoralise or depress you. Be focussed, practice hard and believe in yourself. You will experience a gradual but permanent boost in your confidence. Moreover, make your womanhood your strongest point. Woman, not only emotionally but physically too, can be stronger than men.

But until and unless you wake up and act, dreams hold no importance. So, dream big to boost your morale and make efforts to fulfil those dreams.

Thank you.

(The above answer is only a sample provided for the student's help. We recommend that students answer such questions using their own creativity and understanding.)