By OUR STAFF REPORTER
Dehradun, 20 May: Toastmasters International District 41 organised its annual conference ‘ORATION’ at hotel Le Meridian Gurgaon on 16-18 May. It brought together over 200 Toastmasters from clubs in India and Nepal. Dehradun WIC India Toastmasters Club was represented by Toastmasters Harry Sethi and Bindu Kaul.
The theme of ORATION 2025 was ‘Conquering Chaos’. Conference Chair Anant Katyayni welcomed all participants. District Director Distinguished Toastmaster Moon Pradhan said, “In times of uncertainty and turbulence, leadership is not about avoiding chaos – it is about learning to navigate it. As we gather for Oration 2025, a celebration of ideas, voices and transformation, we are reminded that chaos when harnessed, can be the very force that drives innovation and growth. Let us move forward together – stronger, wiser, and ready to turn challenges into catalysts for extraordinary growth.”
Harry Sethi and Bindu Kaul received the Rising Star Award for Dehradun WIC India Toastmasters Club. Harry said, “It is an honour to be a part of this distinguished gathering. I look forward to interacting with fellow Toastmasters from India and Nepal and learn from them.”
A new Management team for 2025-26 was installed at the conference. The incoming team comprises Distinguished Toastmasters Gaurav Chaudhary as District Director, Program Quality Director Shwetank Sharma, and Club Growth Director Deepti Acharya.
Craig Valentine, World Champion of Public Speaking 1999, Dr Neerja Pandey, former Dean, IIM Lucknow, and Jaswant Kaur, Gender Equality Activist, addressed the conference. Speech contests were conducted during the conference. TM Sampada Regmi won the Table Topic contest and TM Sanskriti Acharya won the International Speech Contest.
