Mir Mohsin Ali RIYADH — Toastmasters International is a useful platform for developing communication and leadership skills of individuals and enhancing their personalities, according to chief guest Dr. Hifz-ur-Rahman, second secretary, Information & Culture, Embassy of India, Riyadh. Hifz-ur-Rahman was speaking at an annual contest's gathering of Toastmasters International representing Area-1 of Division A at a local restaurant. He asked the youth to take up challenging roles in Toastmasters to boost their speaking skills and heighten their leadership qualities. As more and more people are getting aware of its benefits, many new clubs have come up in Riyadh including Corporate Toastmasters Clubs in well-known companies and universities. Riyadh Toastmasters Club, SPICERS, Bazm-E-Urdu Toastmasters Club and Malayalam Toastmasters Club participated in this year's annual contest. Shabeer Mohammed Kottoth chaired the meeting, welcomed the guests and presented a bouquet to the chief guest. Sergeant-at-arms TM Ahmed Al Khatami started the session. TM Dr. Sanjay, Mahat Area 1, governor; T.M. Madam Jovett Lopez, Division A, governor; and DTM Saif Ali Sheikh, immediate District governor from Saudi Arabia were also in attendance. In the Table Topic, TM Anthony Menachery (RTM) was awarded the first place and TM Joe Orapa (SPICERS) came in second. In the Speech Evaluation, TM Aamir Shamim (RTM) was the winner and TM Syed Tasqeer(RTM) was the first runner up. In Humorous Speech, TM Siva Ramalingam (RTM) was declared the winner, while TM Joe Nino Orapa (SPICERS) was placed second. In International Speech, the winner was TM Antony Menachery (RTM) and in the second place was TM Mark Antony Manticajon (SPICERS). Many prominent Toastmasters attended the event including, TM Mohammed Mubin as chief judge of the contest, TM Iftikhar Noor as target speaker, TM Noor Al Ameen as sponsorship chair, TM Surendran as gifts and awards Chair, TM Sayeed Mohiuddin as media and PR chair, and TM Taqiuddin Mir as logistics chair. TM Kaunain Shahidi presented the vote of thanks which was followed by a gala dinner at the venue. A large number of enthusiastic attendees marked the success of the program. — SG
