Mangaluru,july.23 : The Port Town Advanced Toastmasters club, affiliated to Toastmasters International, conducted the installation of office-bearers for the year 2015-16 at a glittering and well-attended ceremony at the Senate Hall, Hotel Deepa Comforts on 19 July 2015.
The Port Town Advanced Toastmasters Club is Mangalore’s only club for Advanced Toastmasters, and only the second in the country, the other being in Delhi. The chief guest at the Ceremony was Dr. Geralyn Pinto, HOD, English, School of Postgraduate Studies, St. Agnes College, Mangaluru.
Toastmaster Niveditha Mirajkar, welcomed the gathering, alluding very so often to Yoga, which was the theme of the day.
The oath of office was administered and the baton handed over to the incoming team led by Toastmaster Dr. Molly Chaudhuri, by the Area Director Toastmaster Savitha Salian after she discharged the earlier team led by Toastmaster Dr. CK Ballal from their duties.
Dr. CK Ballal, renowned neurosurgeon of Mangalore, who is the Charter President of the Club, in his address, explained the reasons and benefits of chartering this club which demands dual membership, and, on the co-incidental occasion of the club celebrating its first anniversary, proudly displayed a letter received from the International President and Chief Executive Officer congratulating the club and its office bearers for their efforts in chartering and sustaining the club. He complimented the outgoing team, for their pioneering efforts in sustaining the club and honored Toastmaster Matilda Pinto, who had made the most speeches during the year. Toastmaster Bharathi Shevgoor was honoured as the Outstanding Toastmaster of the year.
Toastmaster Dr. Molly Chaudhuri, after taking on the mantle of President for the current year, addressed the gathering and introduced the new office bearers – TM Dr. CK Ballal -Vice-President Education, TM Phyllis D’Costa – Vice-President Public Relations, TM Frances Pinto – Vice-President Membership, TM Matilda Pinto – Secretary, TM Veera Katpitia -Treasurer and TM Sushil Gupta -Sergeant at Arms. She expressed confidence that together, the Club would reach great heights.
Division Governor Toastmaster Dr Malini Hebbar felicitated the new team led by Toastmaster Dr Molly Chaudhuri and expressed appreciation for the efforts put in by the team lead by the Charter President Dr CK Ballal.
Dr. Geralyn Pinto, the chief guest, was introduced by Toastmaster Dr. Urmila Shetty as a Professor, poet, and a story writer par excellence. Her address focused on the concept of self-discipline. She narrated her own trysts with discipline. The Ceremony concluded with an expression of gratitude by Club Secretary, Toastmaster Matilda Pinto.
