As the golden hue of the morning sun spread across Patan Durbar Square, members of Bhaisepati Toastmasters Club gathered to celebrate their sixth anniversary. The club is part of a 101 year-old global community dedicated to improving public speaking, communication, and leadership skills. To mark the club's anniversary, the members participated in a heritage walk, exploring the cultural richness and ancient stories of Patan.
More than thirty members circled around their seasoned guide, Rishi Amatya, a heritage communication professional and author of the book, 'Radha Wrath of the Maeju'. They listened attentively as he narrated Patan's glorious history through both recorded evidence and oral traditions.
"Our history is not just the tangible monuments we see around us," he reminded the group, emphasizing that the intangible aspects like stories, customs, and oral traditions are equally important to understanding and preserving our heritage.
To this group, his words resonated even deeply, as they themselves practice the art of storytelling every Saturday morning at Bhaisepati Toastmasters Club. After all, storytelling has long been humanity's way of preserving culture and connecting across generations. As Yuval Noah Harari also notes in his book Sapiens, stories enabled humans to cooperate in large numbers and believe in shared ideas like religion, nations, and money. Drawing lessons from such wisdoms, Bhaisepati Toastmasters helps its members express their ideas effectively and connect with others through impactful storytelling.
As the walk continued, the group found several meaningful parallels between Patan's heritage and their own club. At Keshav Narayan Chowk inside the Patan Museum, Rishi pointed to a stone inscription and asked why it might have been placed there. Some members correctly guessed that the inscription, which serves as a notice, would be more visible there due to the higher footfall of scholars visiting the courtyard.
Just as that courtyard once drew seekers of knowledge, Bhaisepati Toastmasters provides a vibrant, safe and supporting space for its members to learn, practice, grow, and refine their leadership and communication skills.
This connection with Patan resonates with several members of the club. Reflecting on her journey as one of the long-standing members of Bhaisepati Toastmasters and the Area D1 Director, Grishma Shrestha said, "My six years at Bhaisepati Toastmasters transformed me from a fearful speaker to a confident one. The courage and confidence I gained here have helped me excel in both my Toastmasters journey and my professional life. I'm truly grateful to all the mentors and members who supported me."
The tour continued through Mulchowk, home to Taleju Bhawani Devi, and Sundarichowk, where the group admired the Tusa Hiti (water spout) and learned about the fascinating tradition of the golden temple, where rituals were performed by child priests.
As the walk came to a close, members relaxed in the warm sunlight, enjoying local jerry swari, lively conversations and building connections.
Reflecting on the Super Six celebration and the club's journey, the Club's founding president, Mahesh Mahato, shared, "From a small group with a big dream to a vibrant family of confident speakers and compassionate leaders, BTM's growth has been remarkable. Our Super Six celebration captured exactly who we are-a community that learns, laughs, and lifts each other."
The celebration later continued at Alice Restaurant, Pulchowk, where Club President, Ujwal Pradhanang commended members for their commitment and camaraderie, proudly highlighting Bhaisepati Toastmasters' impressive member retention, active engagement and growth over time. Reflecting on the day he remarked, "Celebrating our sixth anniversary with a Patan heritage walk was a true joy. Seeing the smiles on our members' faces as we explored the narrow alleys of historic Patan reminded me that our club thrives not only through speeches and leadership roles, but also through camaraderie and willingness to learn and enjoy every opportunity".
Division D Director Chandrayan Shrestha also shared words of appreciation, praising the club's consistent growth, enthusiastic participation, and the quality of speakers and leaders it continues to produce.
The evening closed with awards and performances that filled the room with laughter and cheers. Among the award recipients was Jyotsna Lohani, winner of the Metamorphosis Award, presented to a member who has demonstrated remarkable growth. Reflecting on her journey, she shared, "BTM has been a pivotal part of my life. It feels like a sanctuary where I'm free to learn, grow, and even make mistakes."
It was a beautiful conclusion to a day that honored six years of Bhaisepati Toastmasters through heritage, friendship, and heartfelt connection.
