Media Release

Mangaluru, Aug 1: The Agnesian toastmasters club installation ceremony, St Agnes College (Autonomous), was held on July 27 at the PG auditorium.

The chief guest, Dr Ashita Uppoor, dean of Manipal College of Dental Sciences, shared her journey with glossophobia and the importance of mastering public speaking. She emphasized the significant role of effective communication in professional and personal success and commended the toastmasters programme at St Agnes for its commitment to developing these crucial skills. She felt that students who have not taken this opportunity provided within the college are truly missing out as communication skills are needed in every profession.

Outgoing president of the club TM Premanand reflected on his transformative experience over the past year, expressing gratitude for the support and dedication of his fellow members.

The installation ceremony was conducted by TM Sharlene Rodriguez, the area director of Division F for 2024-2025. She began by acknowledging the audience and then honoured the outgoing committee members before inviting the new officers to the stage. Each new officer took the oath of office, pledging to face the challenges ahead and act as a team to bring the club to new heights. It ended with the ceremonial handover of the gavel to the new president TM Sandhya Nayak.

The newly installed president TM Sandhya Nayak, has been a dedicated member of Agnesian Toastmasters club for five years, during which she served as the vice president education, president, SAA and VPM of the club. She appreciates the model of the club and that regardless of how talented a speaker is, they can always do better. She gave an interesting twist to the adage 'once bitten twice shy' as 'Once bitten, twice smitten' as she is in her second innings in the role of president due to her love for the club.

TM Spandana introduced the club’s three new members for the term: Sheethal D’Costa, Prathik Rai, and Carol Rodriguez. The vice president membership, TM Raveena Mascarenhas conducted the induction ceremony for the new members. Other dignitaries present were DTM Savita Salian district director, DTM Jyothika Shetty division director, DTM Malini Hebbar and TM Sorabh Nahta club coaches of the club, who felicitated the new leaders. Club officers of other clubs were also present. TM Praveen Pinto president winners club, TM Sangeetha and TM Samina Nayak among others.