Daijiworld News Network - Mangalore (MB)
Pics Praveen Tauro Kulshekar
Mangalore, Oct 27: It was indeed an evening to remember. Young and a few others still young at heart jostling with each other in a pursuit of excellence in oratorial skills, crisp, punctual and elegant handling of the proceedings, interlude of songs and dances for diversion in between - it was something one would come across only once in a blue moon.
It was the Toastmasters International Speech Contest and Speech Evaluation Contest held in Eric Mathias Hall of the IT Block of St Aloysius College here on Thursday, October 26 evening.
International Orientation Center, founded by Houston-based Mangalorean Max Rasquinha, had promoted the event. It coordinates a variety of educational and self-improvement programmes and also maintains a library and audio-video facilities.
Twelve Toastmasters units around town took part in the contest. They were:
Winners Club Toastmasters
Mangalore Toastmasters Club
Infinity Toastmasters
Mangalore Quizzing Foundation
Mangalore Amateur Speakers' Club
St Aloysius Gavel Club
Roshni International Gavel Club
Rostrum Gavel Club - St Agnes
INC Orators Gavel Club - ICFAI Mangalore
Greenhorns Gavel Club - ICFAI Udupi
Srinivas College of Management Gavel Club
AIBA Gavel Club - St Aloysius
The Toastmasters Club helps people from all age groups to develop their leadership qualities, hone their oratorial and communication skills and evolve within them a disciplined and responsible citizenship.
An invocation was made by Maria D'Costa and group from the Roshni Nilaya School of Social Work. Molly Chaudhuri presented the opening remarks. Conference chairman Mizar Narasimha Pai welcomed the gathering and the contestants. Contest chairperson Dr Pramodgiri gave and introduction.
Toastmaster of the day Sukanya Rao took over the proceedings as compere. Sharjah-based internationally recognized Toastmaster Ronald Olivera presented a demo speech on the theme "Take charge". Evaluation was made by Dr C K Ballal and Preetam Kamath.
A 'suggi' folk dance was presented by the students of Roshni Nilaya School of Social Work.
The following took part in the speech contest in three different categories, on different themes:
Category I:
Chrissy H Vaz - The Weaker Sex
Manjusha Hebbar - This Precious Life
Sujir Pavitra Naya - Around My World in Five Minutes
Salil Rajayer - Heroes, Idols and Fantasies
Category II:
Madhvi Singh - Men are Better after Marriage
Ranjita Rebello - Rabbit's Foot or a Good Luck Charm
Sakil Uchil - Doped or Duped?
Sumit Jaswal - My Experience in BPO
Category III:
Delon D'Souza - Fight Fright
Kavita Ramalingam - Why People Lie
Sameena Nayak - It's Maid-made World
In between the proceedings Melven Peris sang the evergreen Hindi number from 'Kati Patang' - 'yeh shyam mastani, madhosh kiye jaaye' and Eric Ozario's Naach Sobhann group presented two dances. At the end of the competition, Wilfy Rebimbus and group sang a specially-composed Konkani song to honour Jessie Rasquinha, the life-partner of Max Rasquinha, whose birthday coincided with Thursday's event.
International awards conferred on Wilfy and Meena Rebimbus couple by the International Orientation Center, Houston in 2005 for their contribution to the Mangalorean society and the musical field were formally presented to them on the occasion.
Conference chairperson M N Pai proposed a vote of thanks, followed by Max giving an inspiring message of peace and harmony for Mangalore in conclusion. The programme ended with the national anthem and dinner.
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