JUBAIL, 10 November 2007 — Toastmasters International is doing a wonderful job by providing educational service to the community and imparting leadership training through its many clubs across the world, said Dr. Abdullah Al-Saihati, a leading businessman in the Eastern Province.
Saihati was speaking at the chartering ceremony of Periyar Toastmasters Club here recently. “Communication skills have become the vital need and strength of any professional who wants to succeed in life. Therefore, organizations such as Toastmasters are to be encouraged,” said Saihati in his inaugural speech.
Periyar is the world’s first Toastmasters club for the Keralite community. The inauguration was lively and interesting and inspired many community members to join the club. There are nearly one hundred toastmasters clubs in the GCC countries.
Saihathi, who was the chief guest, released charter souvenir presented to him by Chief Editor Girish Varma. Division F Governor Abdullatif Al-Harthi presented the charter certificate and gavel to the club President P.J.J. Antony while Area Governor Paul Chirammel gave the club banner to Vice President Biju P. Abdul Razak Al-Turki, lieutenant governor marketing, District 79, distributed the charter certificates to the members.
Earlier, President Antony welcomed the gathering including former District Governor Mathews Kurien, and former Area Governors Nandu Ganapathy and Shahul Hameed. “Encourage and build” is the inherent and indivisible motto of every Toastmasters club,” Antony said, adding that its programs were designed to bring out the best in a person.
P.G.R. Nair spoke on “Periyar: The Inside Story” detailing the birth of the first Keralite community club and its relevance.
P.K. Abdul Ghafour of Arab News highlighted the importance of human resource development and extolled the contributions of Toastmasters clubs in enriching and realizing human potential.
He wished the club every success and urged the Keralite community to come forward to take advantage of the new initiative. Sergeant at Arms Syed Muhammed opened the meeting.
Program was divided into two segments educational and ceremonial. Educational part showcased Toastmasters regular meeting in which Seju Davis, Rajeev Pillai and Raji Krishan spoke.
Raji Krishnan, a teacher from the International Indian School in Jubail created history by qualifying for the club’s first competent communicator award by completing ten speech projects from the Communication and Leadership Manual, on the day the chartering ceremony.
Biju P. conducted the table topics session with the participation of Paul Alappatt and Nomitha Shajil. Santhosh John was the general evaluator and Suresh Kumar, Dr. R.J. George, Mathews Kurien and Taher Moinuddin evaluated the speakers providing them with necessary guidelines for improvement. Shajil Kader was the timer.
Club sponsors PGR Nair and Suresh Kumar and mentors Jacob Kuriakose & NS Ramanathan were presented with honor plaques. A lively cultural segment followed ceremonial program. The brilliant choreography of Guru Sasi Narayanan coupled with the ecstatic performance by the young dancers mesmerized the audience. The cultural program added color and splendor to the otherwise serious program. A humorous skit by the senior toastmasters was an added attraction. Rajagopalan Narayanan expressed the vote of thanks. Keralites interested to know more about the Periyar club may contact P.J.J. Antony on 0501520421.
