Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 21 Jul: The 501st meeting of the Dehradun WIC India Toastmasters Club commenced with energy and intention on Sunday, offering members and guests an enriching experience focused on self-awareness and authentic communication.
The meeting began with Sergeant-at-Arms (SAA) TM Abid welcoming all attendees. He introduced the purpose of Toastmasters and provided a brief overview of the club rules and meeting etiquette to set a professional tone. He then invited the Presiding Officer, TM Kanika, to take the stage.
TM Kanika graciously welcomed both members and guests. She invited guests to briefly introduce themselves and share their reason for attending—whether it was to explore Toastmasters or to improve their communication skills.
She then invited the Toastmaster of the Day (TMOD), TM Dev, to lead the meeting and introduce the theme. TM Dev presented the day’s theme: “Crucial Communication”. He spoke about how communication operates at different levels and how leadership in professional environments depends heavily on the authenticity of seniors when speaking to their teams. He emphasised how inner dialogue influences our outer expression and how unresolved emotions often reflect in our body language—making us appear closed-off and unapproachable.
Following this, TMOD Dev invited the General Evaluator (GE), TM Kothiyal, to take the stage and introduce his TAG Team, which included Timer – TM Sagar; Ah-Counter – TM Abid; and Grammarian – TM Kanika.
Each member of the TAG Team briefly explained their roles. As the Grammarian, TM Kanika introduced the Word of the Day, “Propensity”, and the Idiom of the Day, “Get your act together”, encouraging all speakers to incorporate them into their speeches when possible.
The meeting proceeded with a prepared speech by TM Ankur, evaluated by TM Nidhi, who first explained the objectives of the speech to the audience.
TM Ankur delivered a compelling talk, titled “It’s Not Overthinking, It’s Suffering”, in which he discussed how we often get trapped in loops of overthinking. He suggested practical tools such as gym workouts and mindful walks with loved ones to break the cycle and learn to regulate one’s emotional state.
Following the speech, TMOD Dev returned to reinforce his theme of crucial communication. He elaborated on how only 20% of self-talk is conscious, while the rest is governed by the unconscious mind. He encouraged everyone to explore creative outlets to connect with themselves more deeply and communicate more genuinely with others.
The meeting then moved into the Table Topics segment, conducted by TM Nidhi as the Table Topic Master. She posed thought-provoking questions related to the theme of “Crucial Communication”, inviting guest speakers to share their spontaneous insights. The session saw active participation, with valuable perspectives shared by both members and guests.
This was followed by the Evaluation Segment, during which the Timer, Ah-Counter, and Grammarian presented their reports, called upon by GE TM Kothiyal. The reports were thorough, offering constructive feedback to all participants. TM Kothiyal also shared his evaluation of the overall meeting, appreciating the positive energy and engagement, and commending members for maintaining the club’s high standards.
To conclude, TMOD Dev wrapped up the theme of “Crucial Communication”, emphasising the importance of understanding oneself at a deeper level through creative practices and reflective conversations.
Lastly, Presiding Officer TM Kanika returned to invite feedback from the guests. The guests expressed their appreciation for the structure and encouragement they experienced during the meeting. Many were inspired by the live evaluations and shared their interest in attending future sessions and joining the club.
TM Kanika officially closed the meeting, leaving the audience inspired and more aware of the power of inner dialogue and authentic connection in communication.
