Bhavan’s Toastmasters Club (BTC), Kuwait created history by conducting the first bilingual meeting in Arabic & English of Toastmasters and prospective Toastmasters in Kuwait on 25 February 2018. The venue of the meeting was the beautiful, serene, calm and tranquil farm of Kuwait Diary Company (KDC) in Sulaibiayah, Kuwait. The meeting was attended by the vibrant toastmasters of BTC as well as the passionate staff of KDC.

The meeting kick-started at 10 a.m. by TM Thomas Selvan, the acting Sergeant-at-Arms, who read the club mission statement and explained the ground rules for the meeting. TM Thomas, who is also the president of BTC welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Dr. Walid Gafour, TQM & Laboratory Director of KDC welcomed Bhavan’s Toastmasters to KDC and briefed about the Company. He stated that he was honored to host BTC. TM Premugh Bose elucidated the theme of the day “Let’s enjoy,” who exhorted everyone to enjoy each moment of life and to be more creative.

TM Marwa Essam explained in Arabic about Toastmasters – its history, its objectives, its new education program, i.e., Pathways Learning Experience, and the various benefits a member can derive from it. The audience stood a minute in silence in respect of the great nation Kuwait which celebrated its National Day on 25 February. TM Premugh and TM Marwa introduced various role players of the meeting – TM Vidyanathan and TM Marwa Essam ‘the General Evaluators,’ TM Sheeba Premugh ‘the Grammarian,’ TM Sindumol Thomas, ‘the Timer,’ and TM Saji Varghese ‘the Ah-Counter.’ TM Sheeba introduced the word of the day “gaiety,” meaning lively celebration or festivity.

The first speaker TM Yasser Mohammed, the Area 38 Director said that “All dreams can be achieved if you have the passion for achieving them.” TM Marwa evaluated his speech. TM Mahesh Iyer, the principal of Smart Indian School, Jleeb Al Shuyoukh, in his speech, reiterated that “failures are stepping stones for success.” The incredible TM Anilkumar G. Revanker evaluated his speech.

The icing on the cake was the Table Topics Session conducted by TM Jiju Ramankulath. Emmanuel Roshan Jaiby, the son of TM Sindumol Thomas, a 5th standard Student, was the first speaker. TM Saji Varghese expressed his opinions confidently and clearly. The audience felt immense happiness on hearing from the first time speakers Mr. Ramadan, Mr. Sayed and Dr. Walid Gafour – who are from Kuwait Diary Company.

The following dignitaries from Kuwait Diary Company attended the meeting.

Dr. Walid Gafour (TQM & Laboratory Director)

Mr. Mohamed Esmail (Marketing manager)

Mr. Mohamed Hassan (Personal and legal affairs manager)

Ms. Safa El Asswally (Marketing Department)

Master Emmanuel, the Vote Counter declared the winners.

Best Speakers - TM Yasser Mohammad and TM Mahesh Iyer.

Best Table Topic Speaker – Dr. Walid Gafour.

Best First Timers – Mr. Ramadan, Mr. Sayed and Dr. Walid Gafour.

The meeting adjourned with group photographs.

Dr. Walid Gafour led the BTC members and their families for an entertaining and educative picnic around the company premises. The fabulous sight of a variety of cows, lush green gardens with blooming and colorful flowers, kaleidoscopic wings of dancing peacocks, attractive pink flamingos, emus, pigeons, deer, goats, etc. resembled a heavenly ambiance. Toastmasters Vidyanathan, Noble, Sunil, Sujith Kumar and Thomas captured every scene and moment of natural beauty in their cameras with a professional touch.

The educative picnic of the factory was very informative and interesting.

The picnic team cheerfully participated in many games organized by the club’s public relation committee. The picnic ended at 5.45 p.m. with group photographs. It was a memorable picnic, away from the hustle and bustle of city life.

Toastmaster International is a world leader in communication and leadership development. It is a non-profit organization which has more than 352,000 members across the world who focus on improving their leadership and communication skills by attending one of the 16,400 clubs in 141 countries. Bhavan’s Toastmasters Club has meetings on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of every month from 6 p.m. to 8.pm. at Smart Indian School, Jleeb Al Shuyoukh. The membership of the Club is open to people of all nationalities. Regarding membership, please contact the following club officers.