by Joe Andrade
Bahrain, Jun 27: Thursday June 22 was an eventful day for Karnataka Club Toastmasters (KCT). Duel celebration of installation of new executive committee and 4th annual day of the club were celebrated with pomp.
In a colourful but crisp induction ceremony held at the Imperial Hall of The Palace Hotel, Bahrain, the new executive committee of the Karnataka Club Toastmasters (Club No.2888), affiliated to Toastmasters International, was installed by Induction Officer, K Mohandas, the incumbent Toastmasters Division 79C Area 27 Governor (elect). The programme was anchored by the CTM CL Prakash D’Costa.
The induction ceremony was chaired by out-going president CTM CL Abdul Rahim Hasan. The program included honouring Toastmasters who excelled in performance and dedication during the year 2005-2006 with certificates, trophies and plaques. The literary mouth-piece of the Club, “Kaleidoscope”, a 16-page in-house magazine, with various articles from members compiled with the theme “a Vision for Excellence” was released by a senior Toastmaster on the island, Kishore Babu. The new Ex-Com members who took oath of office for the term commencing July1, 2006 to June 30, 2007 are:
President: Jothi Ruben, CTM
Vice-president, Education: Leroy Saldanha, CTM CL
Vice-president, Membership: Vijay Naik, TM
Vice-president, Public Relations: Joseph Andrade, CTM CL
Secretary: Lucy Gonsalves, TM
Treasurer: Charles D’Mello, TM
Sergeant-at-arms: Zeeshan Baig, TM
The Outstanding Toastmaster awards were given to:
CTM CL Joseph Andrade – for the 1st quarter (Jul – Sep 2005)
TM Suresh Hegde – for 2nd quarter (Oct – Dec 2005)
TM Lucy Gonsalves – for 3rd quarter (Jan – Mar 2006)
TM Charles D’Mello – for 4th quarter (Apr – Jun 2006)
The Outstanding Toastmaster of the Year award went to CTM CL Joseph Andrade. On the occasion, divisional governor Gitarani Ponnuchamy and area governor Mohammed Salim addressed the audience.
The Induction ceremony was followed by two hours of variety entertainment with performances from member Toastmasters and their families. The program began with the cutting of the anniversary cake led by the out-going and in-coming Ex-Com members along with the dignitaries present. The surprise “Grand Anniversary March” took the whole audience on their toes to the marching beats of DJ-Sydney Correa in and around the cozy ambience of the Hall to form Toastmasters’ arcade and a big circle by chain-of-hands and a small bout of ballroom dancing to slow numbers and a couple of spot prizes.
Toastmasters showed their caliber beyond their better listening, thinking and speaking skills before an audience to perform on stage with variety entertainment along with their spouses and children. Konkani and Hindi songs were the order of the day ably assisted by Sydney Correa on the electric guitar. The highlight of the event was a “Holi Melaa”, a typical holi ritual sung to the likes and tune of “Rang Barase” rhapsody by ex-TM Ganesh Pai and choreographed with comical dance sequences by Sandhya Pai and performed by Toastmasters and their spouses. Shruthi Hegde and Master Takshak Pai gave filmi dance performances to the applause and appreciation of all.
A round of Housie-housie brought the whole audience together with fingers nimble and eyes down on lucky numbers to claim many valuable sponsored prizes brought in through the efforts and perseverance of members. There was also a “free” raffle draw for all with three dinner-for-two vouchers given away as prizes. It was an evening full of fun, frolic and socializing for all the Toastmasters, their guests and well-wishers.
CTM CL Philomena D’Souza, the out-going secretary thanked all for their presence and participation. She also thanked the various sponsors for their generosity and support in helping to conduct the event.
While DJ-Sydney kept the music tempo going for little children to boogie-woogie and dance on stage to the very end, a sumptuous dinner was laid to quell everyone’s appetite. A game of musical chairs for children was the right finale for the celebrations to conclude. Participation was the real key to the success of the entertainment program that echoed with the theme “vision for excellence” competently co-ordinated and compered by the trio CTM CLs, Philomena D’Souza, Prakash D’Souza and Joseph Andrade.
Karnataka Club Toastmasters was started in October 2001 under the auspices of the Karnataka Social Club by the then managing committee with the able assistance of a senior Toastmaster, the present Divisional Governor, Vijay Boloor with a view to bring forth and mould leaders to the fore. TM Ronald D F D’Souza, one of the founder and Charter members of KCT was also honoured with the “Toastmaster’s Key chain” along with a few other key players and well-wishers.
Those who wish to join KCT are welcome to call the new VP-Membership, Vijay Naik on telephone 39084973 for more details or any of the Toastmasters of KCT.