KATHMANDU, MAY 22
Toastmasters from across District 41 came together for ORATION 2025, the district's annual conference, held at Le Méridien, Gurgaon, Delhi NCR. The three-day event brought together members from India, and Nepal to celebrate a year of achievements, witness high- stakes contests, and gain insights from renowned speakers and leaders.
Organised by District 41 Toastmasters International and led by ORATION Chair Anant Katyayni, the conference welcomed over a hundred full-time participants, along with several others attending through day passes. The event opened on May 16 with an ethnic dress theme, where attendees arrived in traditional Indian attire. The second day adopted a formal dress code, followed by business casuals on the final day-creating a dynamic yet professional atmosphere throughout the conference.
A major highlight of the event was the election of new District officers for the 2025–2026 Toastmasters year. Gaurav Choudhary was elected as the District Director, Shwetank Sharma as the Program Quality Director (PQD), and Diptee Acharya as the Club Growth Director (CGD). Along with this leadership trio, Division Directors were also elected for the term spanning July 2025 to June 2026. Their appointment marks the beginning of a new term of leadership for District 41, one that aims to build upon the foundation of growth and excellence laid in the previous year.
The event also hosted the District-level Table Topics and International Speech Contests, where members demonstrated their public speaking and impromptu communication skills. The winners of the Table Topics Contest were Sampada Regmi (first place), Saheel Baral (second place), and Devansh (third place). In the International Speech Contest, Sanskriti Acharya secured first place, followed by Shriya Jain in second and Prasanna Shrestha in third. Both contests drew a wide audience and showcased the high standards of performance fostered within the Toastmasters program.
Attendees were also inspired by keynote sessions delivered by distinguished speakers. Craig Valentine, World Champion of Public Speaking in 1999, delivered two impactful sessions. On May 16, he spoke on the topic "Getting Results in Leadership and Life," and on May 18, he concluded the event with "How to Present with Impact and Persuade with Ease." His sessions were well-received and offered practical tools for both professional and personal development.
On May 17, Professor Dr. Neerja Pande, a respected academic in the field of communication, delivered a keynote address focused on strategic leadership and the importance of effective storytelling in today's world. Her session added depth to the conference's educational value and was appreciated by both new and experienced members.
In addition to speeches and contests, ORATION 2025 included a ceremonial flag march, a recognition segment for high-performing clubs and members, and networking opportunities that encourage collaboration across the district. The conference served as both a celebration of the concluding Toastmasters year and a launchpad for the next.
With strong participation, enriching content, and the formal establishment of a new District leadership team, ORATION 2025 concluded on a high note. It reinforced the Toastmasters values of communication, leadership, and community-and set the stage for continued growth and engagement in District 41.
