We proved yet again that we truly are a synonym for 'Goodness, Gracious, G' at Oration, 2013, Hyderabad over the weekend.

 

There were a lot of firsts, but thankfully not at the cost of losing out on what we had already done so well before. Here are the highlights of the super success story:

 

Puri PR - All 'Play' and No Work: After the scintillating 'Kahaani' of why Kolkata was to be the next best conference, we did it once again through a fun play inspired by Mahabharata which saw JP and Jennifer playing Dhritarashtra and Gandhari while team Bhubaneshwar played multiple roles (with Mouli Malakar and Mehul Bhati playing significant roles in the script and presentation department) and Ayan put in a special appearance as Bhishma Pitamah (why does he still have to stay unmarried???) - The end result? There was a serpentine queue to get registered for Resonance 2013 in Puri!

 

New Div Governor Chosen: For the first time in our Division, there were two contenders for the post of the Division Governor. As Niraj and Janaki spoke about why we must vote for them, many in the audience, including me, had goose bumps. Finally, after a close fight, Janaki Prasad Pattanaik was chosen as the incoming Division Governor over Niraj Agarwal. The first person to congratulate him, over a warm hug was Niraj himself, and as I pinned the 'jewel' pin that was passed on to be by Abdul and Kunal, I realized we are finally ready to form two Divisions next and allow Janaki to pass on the new as well as his earlier pin (as Div Gov in Dist 79).

 

Entertaining Entertainers: While Mouli and Amit Kumar Kranti walked the ramp ala super models, Jennifer and Ayan danced to 'O Haseena Zulfon Wali' amidst thunderous applause for the Bollywood inspired night proving that when it comes to entertaining from the front, Div G wins 'legs' down!

Glorious Golden Gavals: TCS Maitree Kolata Toastmasters Club and Kolkata Toastmasters Club walked the Golden Carpet bringing back two Golden Gaval Awards for being one of the best Clubs in the District having achieved all 10 out of 10 DCP Goals and a host of other seemingly impossible criteria. While TCS had won it in 2011, IBM and CJTM had won it last year, and we did manage to hold onto at least two Golden Gavals this year as well!

 

First Ever Podium Finish in International Speech: We did it finally! We had already witnessed Brati Sankar Ghosh being crowned as the Evaluation Champion in 2012, while Stacey Fernandes, Abdul Rahim, and Varun Kotwal was placed the 2nd runners up 3 times in a row, the International Speech title had eluded us.

 

Yet, after multiple attempts, Varun Kotwal's International Speech titled 'The problem lies with women' proved that no problem lies any more with Division G! The top three contestants made the bookies of IPL look like sitting ducks making it impossible for the audience to guess which of the three were going to win the contest. While Avinash Agarwal, who had reached the final a third time, won the contest, and Sabari Girish, was adjudged as the second best, for a second time in a row, Varun emerged as a 2nd runner up in a contest marked by extremely competent speakers and managed to win hearts, respect, and adulation of all and sundry for his brilliantly delivered speech.

 

First Ever Winner in Table Topics: Finally, it was our very own TM Naveen Misra who effectively sank his teeth into the topic 'Half a Loaf is Better Than None'. His brilliant take on the piece of bread standing for peace between countries, and embarking on peace missions was the kind of food for thought that would have marred even the best Hyderabad Biriyani on any given day. We salute you for not even waiting to blink, before you began to think on your feet!

 

So there you have it! A Division of super brilliant speakers, leaders, and entertainers. There is just one more goal left to achieve... Hopefully over the next six weeks we will help supplement the weak clubs and together become a Presidents Distinguished Division.

Won't you agree dear members of Division G?

 

P.S: Congrats to Vinay for becoming a Presidents Distinguished District and for leading as far as the points table is concerned. Also to Prasad for being elected as the incoming District Governor, Ritu, for being elected as the incoming LGET, and Brillian for being elected as the new LGM! Looking forward to a brilliant year ahead!



Thanks and Regards,
TM Ayan Pal, Division Governor- G 2012-13