Neptune issue 4.0 | Division N Newsletter, D98 by D126.DivisionN

DIVISION N | DISTRICT 98

NEWSLETTER

NEPTUNE

4.0

July 2021February 2022

CONTENTS

Forewords

DISTRICT LEADERS

AD Speaks

AREA DIRECTOR'S ADDRESS

It's All About Connections COVER STORY

Of Contests & Contestants CONTESTS

Evaluation Marathon DIVISION INITIATIVE #DivisionN

Tall Tales Contest DIVISION INITIATIVE

Ngage In Storytelling AREA INITIATIVE

Ngage In Soft Skills Enhancement

NEPTUNE 4.0

Member Speaks TESTIMONIALS

Ngross QUIZ

Blockbuster Poster VP PR CORNER

AREA INITIATIVE

Member's Contribution

SHLOK & POEMS

Ngenious Blogs & Creations

ARTISTIC EDGE

Member's Achievements AWARDS

Members Behind Neptune 4.0 DESIGN TEAM #ShineTogether

NEPTUNE 4.0 Foreword

Mukta Nadkar, DTM District Director, D98 (2021-2022)

Dear members of Division N, When I think of Nagpur, Raipur or Division N, I feel nostalgic. It was in this beautiful city of Oranges I attended my last in-person District Officers Training in Feb 2020 as Program Quality Director, long before we were victims of COVID. I have these wonderful memories, long-lasting warmth and unforgettable learnings from the three days I spent with incredible Toastmasters. This year, my vision for the District is to be ‘Strong, Sustainable, Successful’. This is a dream… passionate and compelling desire to make District 98 a Strong District, with clubs having strong and happy members who always support one another. I feel, by keeping our purpose as Toastmasters intact, encouraging and helping one another grow, we will be Sustainable. We won’t have to falter but can instead stand shoulder to shoulder, upholding the strong values of Toastmasters International. All these will automatically lead to having successful clubs and a successful District. Dear members, where does it all begin? It begins with each one of us! Are WE Strong? Do we have the ability to face disappointments, pursue our own goals, take our own independent decisions? I am a work in progress, trying each day to be stronger. And I implore YOU to find ways to make yourselves and others strong…..one step at a time. Is each one of us Sustainable? Do we have the capacity to stay the course, continue learning, sharing and never giving up? I aspire for this quality every day and have achieved it in many things, with patience and practice. However, I must admit that I haven’t managed my exercise regime on a sustainable footing! But I will keep trying! ……….What about you?

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NEPTUNE 4.0 Foreword

Mukta Nadkar, DTM District Director, D98 (2021-2022)

Are we Successful? Most definitely yes. Can we improve and get better? Yes. We can certainly become more confident speakers, leaders who are not afraid to take on responsibility and blaze a trail. We can certainly define and work towards our own success. We must have the belief! Remember, ‘You are the driver of your own life, don’t let anyone steal your seat! So as you launch your newsletter Neptune 4.0, I wish each one of you stay Strong, Sustainable and Successful. Warm regards, Mukta Nadkar, DTM District Director, District 98

Clubs in Division N Raisoni Institute's Diamond Toastmasters Club TCS Nagpur Toastmasters Club YCCE Verbalisers Toastmasters Club Raipur Toastmasters Club Nagpur Toastmasters Club Raisoni Institute's Emerald Toastmasters Club IIM Nagpur Toastmasters Club

InfoCepts Toastmasters Club SSIPMT Spellbinders Loyal Toastmasters Club IIM Raipur Toastmasters Club Rungta Toastmasters Club IMT Nagpur Toastmasters Club Raisoni Institute's Brio Toastmasters Club Gurukul.Education Toastmasters Club

Picture Credits: Toastmasters International Website: https://www.toastmasters.org

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NEPTUNE 4.0 Foreword

Niteash Agarwaal, DTM Immediate Past District Director, D98 (2021-2022)

In Greek mythology, Neptune is the god of fresh water. The festival of Neptune was celebrated in summer to keep them free of drought. Division N has been our Neptune that always comes with fresh ideas and initiatives. This promotes the growth of Toastmasters for the good of the members. Nagpur - Raipur, over the years and excellent foresight from leaders from Hyderabad has grown to be an amazing Division exceeding all expectations. Like freshwater is required to sustain, I encourage you to be someone’s freshwater by introducing them to Toastmasters, stepping up in Club Leadership to bring fresh ideas, District Leadership to take the program to places. You also have an amazing opportunity to make Chhattisgarh a Division with the blueprint followed for Nagpur. Don’t shy away from the challenges. When you break the problem down into smaller tasks, they become easier to achieve. You have an amazing time ahead, so be available, step up and enjoy your Toastmasters journey. “When we help ourselves, we find moments of happiness. When we help others, we find lasting fulfillment.” – Simon Sinek. Warm regards, Niteash Agarwaal, DTM Immediate Past District Director, District 98

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NEPTUNE 4.0 Foreword

Joy B Hans, DTM Program Quality Director, D98 (2021-2022)

Everyone you will ever meet knows something you don’t; that’s why a wise man once said, “If you want to go fast, go alone but if you want to go far, go with others.” This is the secret success mantra of meaningful networking; people play a vital role in our success. One should build their network much before they need it. Building a network takes a lot of effort and time. I had been in the Training and Coaching Industry for over a decade and was growing at a steady but slow pace. Even though I was a subject matter expert, people hardly knew me, except for the clients I worked with; something happened when I joined Toastmasters, found that there were many aspiring Trainers and Coaches in the Toastmasters fraternity. I started connecting with them to see how I could collaborate and help them make this career transition. As we all started networking and helping each other in a short period, I got associated with more trainers and coaches than I had done in the last 10 years. My business profile on LinkedIn got a sudden boost because of this thick network of trainers and coaches not just from India but from across the globe. New organizations started approaching me for work, and my clientele doubled in just under a year. This wonderful global network of Toastmasters spread across 149 countries is priceless and works every time. Every year Student Toastmasters get placed in leading corporate houses because of the reference of a senior Toastmaster who works in the same organisations. So many Toastmasters have had job switches and even moved abroad because of the support of a fellow Toastmaster. Many have found their spouses and business ideas too. This rich network of brilliant minds from across the spectrum and industries is a very thick net, a net that has almost all answers you were ever looking for, only if you could do meaningful networking. Warm regards, Joy B Hans, DTM Program Quality Director, District 98

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NEPTUNE 4.0 Foreword

TM Sandeep Raj Madasu Club Growth Director, D98 (2021-2022)

We all look forward to bright and colourful days, isn't it? That's why, they say, hope is nothing but keeping an alarm for tomorrow, with an uncertainty of being a tomorrow in the heart. The recent pandemic times have taught us life is short, and we have to live and love to the maximum. However, each one of us including the giant organizations, emerging corporates are adopting the new normal or the hybrid model. I feel inspired by the way we are flourishing through these pandemic times. We are adapting to the challenges with a stronger hope and looking forward to better days. Division N has been one such group of Toastmasters who started with just one Club growing and becoming an Area, and now it's a Division. It set the benchmark for many Clubs, Areas and Divisions to look forward for inspiration and growth day by day. I take this opportunity to convey my heartfelt wishes to all those leaders who have built this Division from one Club and made it to the Best Division. We look forward to making this stronger together, planning for the new challenges and grabbing the opportunities in the future. We hope for a better future and a bright tomorrow. Don't forget to set your alarm. I wish the entire team of Division N for this wonderful work. Warm Regards, TM Sandeep Raj Madasu Club Growth Director, District 98

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NEPTUNE 4.0 Foreword

TM Deepalika Kowar Division N Director, D98 (2021-2022)

Rabindranath Tagore in his famous work, Gitanjali pens down, "Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high, among other virtues to which our country must awake." Is that not too idealistic? Similarly, if we assume Toastmasters to be a place where like-minded people meet with a single goal of communication and leadership, that would also be idealistic. Everyone who joins Toastmasters is seeking something different. Goals can be as varied as overcoming the stage fear, developing leadership skills, becoming a professional speaker, or networking. These reasons are linked to the change that people seek to improve themselves. Forming of Division N was the change the then leaders visioned. Previous year, we witnessed some glorious moments because the members exhibited unabated passion and dedication to improve them. Time flies, it has already been six months since the start of the current Toastmasters year. Today when I talk to the members, I find them much more aware and visionary than I was when I joined Toastmasters. The creativity that each one possesses is astounding. The enthusiasm with which the members are learning and growing is commendable. I would not be wrong to believe that Division N will be a microcosm of a society we live in with all its perfections and imperfections. And there is a big difference between a society and a community like Toastmasters - the cost of failure at Toastmasters is ZERO! In other words, Toastmasters provides one a fertile ground for experimenting with communication and leadership skills. I encourage all of you to experiment and experience the joy of growing. Identify your fears, bring the change, and experiment to learn - this would be the biggest service you can do to yourself at Toastmasters. Celebrate the triumph over the fear of public speaking, the victory of excellence over mediocrity. Warm Regards TM Deepalika Kowar Division N Director, District 98

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NEPTUNE 4.0 Foreword

Mayuri Assudani, DTM Division N Public Relations Manager, D98 (2021-2022)

If you can't be a pine on the top of the hill, be a scrub in the valley If you can't be a bush, be a bit of the grass, If you can't be the sun, be a star; If you can't be a highway then just be a trail, It isn't by size that you win or you fail. Be the best of whatever you are! These words from the poem by Douglas Malloch reverberate whenever I feel defeated or low. How important it is to never lose self-esteem. YOU are the most important person in your life. And YOU are a storehouse of talent and energy, if only you, let the Sun shine from within. When I joined Toastmasters, little did I know that I would be soon finding new skills within me. Not one to shy from responsibilities, I have served at various leadership positions but the role of the Division Public Relations Manager was challenging at first. I was foraying into an unknown territory. However, the faith and confidence of the Division Director helped me overcome those first hiccups. Division N has always strived to be Brand Compliant and respectful to Toastmasters International’s Core Values. As we release yet another issue of our Division Newsletter, my heart fills with gratitude for all members of Division N who have sent in articles, for my PR team who has worked diligently in putting together this issue and for the District Officers of Division N without whose unconditional support this would not have been possible. Let the light Shine from within! Warm regards Mayuri Assudani, DTM Public Relations Manager, Division N, District 98

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NEPTUNE 4.0 AD Speaks

TM Riya Agrawal Area N1 Director, D98 (2021-2022)

Yes, you can. Learning is fun. You just need a proper direction. These are some things that I have learnt during my journey till now. Being in a position of responsibility and executing the tasks has its challenges. The significant point is what you gain from these challenges. At Toastmasters, we say learning is fun. My journey has been more than fun. It is inspiring and thrilling because you never know who you might meet on this journey. With a little bit of guidance, you can achieve everything. When you have great mentors who envision a successful leader in you and are always there to guide you, the inspiration to go ahead and try something multiplies, and the chances of success increase. However, my biggest challenge was to talk with people older than me. At times you have to respect the age and let go of things that they say. Experiences like these have taught me that knowledge is supreme. With the knowledge, empathy, and respect you can tackle the most difficult situation & people. There are difficulties knocking your door but future leaders of Division N, remember that you are here to learn. Keep your mind open when you are listening to some new or contradicting ideas. Never be afraid or shy away from learning something new.

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NEPTUNE 4.0 AD Speaks

TM Gunjan Banarsi Area N2 Director, D98 (2021-2022)

If I have to define my journey in two words, I will say learning and empowerment. The idea and intent behind this role have always been servant leadership, where one comes voluntarily to serve and help the clubs to grow. The past leaders and their actions inspired me to take on this leadership role. I was confident that this role would bring the opportunity of networking which tremendously helped me grow myself and my business. I am a budding entrepreneur, the biggest challenge for me was time management. During the initial phase, understanding the intricacies of the Area Director's role required a bit more time and attention. To overcome this problem I used a few techniques like time scheduling and task prioritization. I am blessed to have a supportive team including the Division Director, my co-ADs, and the extended team who made the struggle less stressful. My biggest learning is, Do what is right, fair, focus on your quality of leadership and you will succeed wherever you go. I would encourage new leaders to step up in various leadership roles and challenge themselves. I cannot emphasize more on the fact that leadership at Toastmasters is a beautiful journey filled with learnings. It builds and grooms your personality in a way to build connections and relationships. Moreover, you'll learn a lot more about your style of leadership and will explore something new within yourself. Leadership is an experience. If you are here at Toastmasters and wish to serve your members, do come up.

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NEPTUNE 4.0 AD Speaks

TM Sapna Acharya Area N3 Director, D98 (2021-2022)

“Develop a passion for learning. If you do, you will never cease to grow.” – Anthony J. D’Angelo My journey as an Area Director in one line is full of learnings. The last few months as an Area Director was an amazing & exhilarating experience. Through this, I got the opportunity to interact with my Area's leadership team and the District leadership team. We are learning, sharing, and shining together. Along the way, I realized that the journey of learning is never-ending and there are opportunities to grow. Even though I am already a Team Lead by profession, there is always something to add and learn that motivated me to take this role of Area Director. Since the inception of this leadership journey, my list of skills & achievements have increased rapidly. One of the challenges that I faced was managing time, balancing three domains: Toastmasters, family, and my job. Initially, when I started my Area Director’s journey, I did face challenges, but gradually I improved. I learned to manage time by preparing a to-do list and prioritizing my tasks. I always believe that when you love to do something, you automatically start taking out time for that and Toastmasters inspired me to work upon my time management skills. This role has changed the way I used to perceive leadership before, I became more empathetic and confident. Toastmasters International is providing a wonderful platform to practice leadership skills. When I took the Area Director's role in Division N at the same time, I became a delivery manager at my workplace. I am applying all these learnings in my professional career and creating a healthy work environment for my team. I am thankful for this opportunity, for the guidance of my mentors, and to the wonderful and supportive Clubs and District leaders.

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NEPTUNE 4.0 AD Speaks

TM Sakshi Bhuwal Area N4 Director, D98 (2021-2022)

Out of all the fears that I have in my life, the fear that keeps me awake is that of not making sense and embarrassing myself in front of a sizable crowd. No, I have never been afraid of getting onto a stage and delivering a thoughtprovoking or mountain-moving speech, given that it is a prepared speech. I strongly believe that one could always write a speech beforehand, rehearse it and perfect the art of making sense. But, what I was afraid of was giving an inspiring extemporaneous address. I used to be scared that I would make mistakes and that I would not do a fine job. Unlike most of you, I joined Toastmasters because I enjoyed getting mentored, writing speeches, and all the stage time. Leadership was my least favorite aspect of being a Toastmaster but then there came a day when I decided to try my luck. From executive committee roles to extended teams and now to a District Officer’s role, I think I have come a long way. I can assure you that I did not change overnight or that I am a completely different person today but I can say without a modicum of doubt that I am a better person than I was 5 months ago. As a student, the value this leadership journey has added to my life is truly immense. Acceptance, responsibilities, encouragement, empowerment, time management, teamwork, and mutual respect are the key values that I have learned until now, and I still am a work under progress. Toastmasters has been my playfield for experiments. I have failed but learned to accept my shortcomings. I embarrassed myself with faulty speeches, received feedback, and got better. I have encouraged and empowered members on the roads of progress and I shall continue to help every member who wants to improve his/her interpersonal skills. It's time that you take a step ahead from where you are!

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NEPTUNE 4.0 Cover Story

Dr. Brillian S K, DTM Past Region 13 Advisor (2019-2020)

It’s All About Connections! We have been constantly told that our Network is our Net WORTH. Thanks to Toastmasters, we have a golden opportunity to build strong connections with people from different continents. I can proudly claim to have connections across the world. During the pandemic, we all got the opportunity to not just build, but to strengthen the bonds with people. I remember, I used to wait for someone to introduce me to people I didn’t know, thanks to Toastmasters, I slowly started to reach out, speak and build connections. It looks easy when I look back but it took a lot of conscious effort and time to build the small network I have. Even if you are a charmer or an extrovert, the art of networking requires conscious efforts and inputs from all the parties involved. I am happy to share three key learnings from my journey that may be useful to some of you.

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1. Nothing works if you don’t! I heard this line for the first time from Suneel Agarwal, a passionate toastmaster, and networker. I have had a first-hand experience of how effectively he leverages his network. I have seen him take efforts to record important aspects of any person he meets. From the date of birth to anniversaries, to important events, he has them all jotted down in a notepad along with all relevant details. I have admired him for his consistency and never has he failed to wish me on important dates. When I analyzed what worked for Suneel that we can take away to build our network it is that one needs to “work on building the network”. 2. It’s not about numbers I have seen people scream out loud when they reach a milestone, e.g. 5000 friends on Facebook 10,000 followers on LinkedIn, 1 million subscribers on YouTube. These are interesting statistics to help your profile, a deeper question to ask is “how many of these are true connections”?

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NEPTUNE 4.0 Cover Story

Dr. Brillian S K, DTM Past Region 13 Advisor (2019-2020)

It’s All About Connections! Sometimes in the name of networking we simply end up as card pushers, simply collecting or giving out Business Cards, that is not networking, that is contact sharing. What you do after you have met the person is what makes all the difference. Networking is a two-way street, and your contributions matter a lot. A great connection is what should be your aim when you think of networking. Guess what? It’s not about who you know, it’s about who knows you. 3. Start with giving When we network, we should start thinking of “giving first”, then asking. Many, including me in the past, would assume that now that I know the person I have a right to ask. That was one of the “rookie” mistakes I did in the initial days. I learned the hard way that until you give, you will not get. I want to let you in on a secret, giving need not be tangible it could be time, a listening ear or an event invite, or anything that can help you strengthen the bonds.

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Networking works not just in helping you fill meeting roles but in many other ways. I feel proud to have gotten opportunities to be an EMCee, host a musical event, help curate a TEDx event, and many more. This was possible only because “I knew someone who knew me”. I hired a few Toastmasters for the organizations that I worked for in the past. Also, I was able to help my organization find amazing Video Presenters from my network. Start connecting beyond the cards, have some interesting conversations over common interests, just say hello. The online world opens opportunities that we never had, leverage them. I am sure someday my passion for networking may reach the level of passion that Suneel has. However, for now, I am focusing on building connections one person at a time.

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NEPTUNE 4.0 Humorous Speech & Evaluation Contest

Compiled by:

Mayuri Assudani, DTM Loyal Toastmasters Club, Area N3

Of Contests And Contestants Everybody is a winner, but not on the same day. How important it is to remember this as a contestant! Because as said by Robert T. Kiyosaki in Rich Dad, Poor Dad “Sometimes you win, sometimes you learn”. As we close on the first cycle of Division Contests, let us learn from our Contestants about their experience, their preparation, their learnings. All clubs of Division N, District 98 participated in Humorous Speech Contest(HSC) and Evaluation Contest(EC) from Aug-Nov 2021. Club winners progressed to Area Contest-Utsah which was held on 30th and 31st October 2021. Winners from the Areas competed at Division N Contest, Fun n Furore on 20th November 2021. We spoke to some of our Contestants and this is what they have to say: TM Vaishali Rai from Area N1- Raipur Toastmasters Club is all set to represent Division N at the District semi-finals. She remembers how nervous she used to be on stage till two years ago. But practicing Evaluations at Club meetings, watching YouTube videos, seeking guidance from her mentor regularly, have all helped her in overcoming her nervousness and she is a confident Public Speaker now.

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NEPTUNE 4.0 Humorous Speech & Evaluation Contest

Compiled by:

Mayuri Assudani, DTM Loyal Toastmasters Club, Area N3

Of Contests And Contestants TM Rohit Kumar from Area N4- Rungta Toastmasters Club claims that he had crafted more than 5 speeches and practiced them for almost 10 days, something that cannot be stressed upon enough. He looks forward to Offline contests as he believes that the feel of the real audience is unparalleled. TM Harshvardhan Singh Sikarwar from Area N2- Nagpur Toastmasters Club who won at Club level in both HSC and EC had to make sure there was no disturbance from crackers etc., during the contest as it was around Diwali that we had Utsah. He has a habit of ruminating over speech ideas and jotting them down on the go. His mantra for success is “Practice like you have never won, perform like you have never lost”. TM Anjali Jain represented her club Area N4Gurukul.Education Toastmasters Club at Evaluation Contest at Area level and says she focused on practicing more and more. She also suggests that watching videos helps. TM Aparna Prabhudesai from Area N2- InfoCepts Toastmasters Club participated at HSC and firmly believes that a humorous speech is not a stand-up act. All elements of a good speech much be incorporated in it. She regrets that due to bad internet connection during her Area Contest, she could not complete her speech the way she had wanted to. She is looking forward to competing at ISC now.

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NEPTUNE 4.0 Humorous Speech & Evaluation Contest

Compiled by:

Mayuri Assudani, DTM Loyal Toastmasters Club, Area N3

Of Contests And Contestants TM Yash Banarsi from Area N4- Gurukul.Education Toastmasters Club first contested in 2019 and won at HSC and Evaluation Contest at Area level in his maiden attempt! Nervousness gave way to excitement. TM Yash lays great emphasis on understanding the Judge's ballot. Getting the speech mentored and practicing the speech within time limits are other recommendations. His mantra is “Practice your speech, don’t learn it.” TM Ansul Ghogre from Area N1- Raipur Toastmasters Club, a new member of a recently chartered club loved the experience of contesting at HSC, albeit online. He looks forward to Offline contests where audience interaction, their laughs, their eyes help affirm the speaker in him. Area N4- Gurukul.Education Toastmasters Club saw a budding contestant in TM Annubhuti Kakkad. Although a novice at Toastmasters, she gave it her all during preparation and delivery of her speech at HSC. She is very excited to participate at ISC now. TM Saurab Jariyal from Area N2- Raisoni Institute’s Emerald Toastmasters Club has been competing at contests since three years now. From not winning at Club level when he began, to reaching the District level last year, TM Saurab has come a long way and he owes this success to his mentor TM Manisha Zilpelwar and to all those who give him feedback after a contest.

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NEPTUNE 4.0 Humorous Speech & Evaluation Contest

Compiled by:

Mayuri Assudani, DTM Loyal Toastmasters Club, Area N3

Of Contests And Contestants TM Vikas Dwivedi from Area N3- SSIPMT Spellbinders believes that Practice is the best Mantra. Having participated at ISC, HSC, MOC, EC, he is looking forward to Offline Contests. But he also appreciates the way Online Contests have been organized by the District. And as a true leader (he is the President of SSIPMT), he will ensure that his club members also participate in Contests. Our champ, TM Arti Patil from Area N1- TCS Nagpur Toastmasters Club is a veteran at contests. Online, offline, ISC, TTC, HSC, ESC, Tall Tales…. you name it, she has contested at them all! Her quest for learning and getting better with each attempt is inspiring. Always ready to volunteer as a Role player too, TM Arti works diligently over each paragraph and works closely with her mentor.

We wish all the members of Division N the very best for the upcoming contests !

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NEPTUNE 4.0 Division Initiative

Compiled by:

TM Sapna Acharya Area N3 Director, D98 (2021-2022)

Evaluation Marathon At Toastmasters, members support each other through evaluations that encourage speakers to continue practicing and learning. Members who receive thoughtful evaluations feel heard and become motivated to improve. To practice and prepare for the Evaluation contest, Division N, District 98 conducted an Evaluation Marathon from 13th September to 17th September 2021. We had participations from All four areas of Division N. Participants evaluated the speech of the Test speaker and attempted their Evaluation speeches. Later on, each of the participants was evaluated by our super evaluators DTM Beena Mandrekar, DTM Joy B Hans, TM Hardik Shah, DTM Manideep Kanagala, and DTM Vikram Sikka. We thank all the super evaluators for providing amazing tips and suggestions to our participants and members. Their feedback helped not only the participants practice evaluation and perform well in the Evaluation contest but all the attendees in attending the Marathon to give better evalautions in their Club meetings.

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NEPTUNE 4.0 Division Initiative

Compiled by:

TM Sapna Acharya Area N3 Director, D98 (2021-2022)

Evaluation Marathon

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NEPTUNE 4.0 Division Initiative

Compiled by:

TM Vaishali Rai Raipur Toastmasters Club, Area N1

Tall Tales Contest The Nagpur- Raipur Tall Tales Contest took place on 6th February 2022. It was filled with enthusiasm and unbelievable stories. Stories varied from going to Deeepika's marriage to going to Almond world. It was fascinating and amusing. The effort of all the Contestants and Roleplayers to make the event successful was evident. Our 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Place winners of the Tall Tales contest shared what they felt about the contest.

TM Rishika Multani, 1st Place Winner "I have always been an imaginative person I think. Tall Tales was a platform to explore my imagination into words and share it with people. An experience of thoughts beyond imagination, learnings and unforgettable moments. The journey right from just thinking of participating in a Tall Tales to winning the Nagpur-Raipur Tall Tales Contest with the help of my chief mentor was just mesmerizing. I have been a Toastmaster since 2.5 years and this was my second participation in Tall Tales but it doesn’t stop here. There are more learnings and more fun in this path where leaders are made."

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NEPTUNE 4.0 Division Initiative

Compiled by:

TM Vaishali Rai Raipur Toastmasters Club, Area N1

TM Bhushan Nagpure, 2nd Place Winner "In Toastmasters, Tall Tales is the most mind-bending contest which allows you to exaggerate your story out of proportions - That may get beating in the normal surroundings, but here you get lots of applause. As an abstract thinker, I feel more excited to write & tell such stories where your mind is challenged to break through imagination blocks. What fascinated me during this contest is the process of writing, which captivated me to build the story consistently. I couldn't think about anything else but the next revelation. And parallelly, the amount of learning I got was precious."

TM Arti Patil, 3rd Place Winner "If you are one of those people who love fictional books, drama, or a typical movie fan then Tall Tales is your genre. This is my realization after participating in the Tall Tales Contest. It allowed me to expand all boundaries of imagination, creativity, and emotions. Not only participating, writing, and delivering but also listening to other participants was a whole more fun filled journey for me. This season of Tall Tales was on the next level than the previous year. With the same enthusiasm waiting for next year, next season of Tall Tales."

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NEPTUNE 4.0 Division Initiative

Compiled by:

TM Vaishali Rai Raipur Toastmasters Club, Area N1

Tall Tales Contest Education Session Division N also organized an Education Session on 16th December 2021 for Toastmasters to educate them about the unique concept of Tall Tales and share some tips and tricks on how to craft a Tall Tale for the contest. The session was conducted by Sameer Naik, DTM. Here's a sneak peek for you about the session. He explained the concept of Tall Tales through an interesting anecdote of a child spotting a tiger on a Jungle Safari. However, while narrating the story, he mentioned that he was cuddling the tiger! A story that falls perfectly in the improbable zone, and so a Tall Tale speech! Crafting a Tall Tale is about striking a balance between possibility and improbability. A Tall Tale lies between probable & improbable zones. The speech should start with a possible incident which shall gradually move to probable and eventually end at improbable. Each statement you use in your script should be weighed and checked for 0% or 50% or 100% possibility. It is essential to keep in mind to never start the story at 0% possibility or the audience might be disengaged. Know where you have to end your speech. Leave your speech at an improbable stage and not impossible. Here's the checkpoint for you! At the end of the speech, think if the audience left with a question and 50% possibility? Was the story true? If the answers are yes, then you are off to a good start. A few of the movies recommended to craft a splendid Tall Tale is - Honey, I shrunk the kids, Mr. India, Dr. Dolittle, What Women Want. Writing a Tall Tale is all about unleashing your creative side. He explained that one can explore other human emotions (Navarasa or 9 human emotions) as well and craft a tall tale out of it. To watch the session in detail please click here.

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NEPTUNE 4.0 Area Initiative

TM Riya Agrawal Area N1 Director, D98 (2021-2022)

Ngage, a Division N initiative, was started to understand various aspects of public speaking beyond Pathways in a more fun and engaging manner. Ngage in Storytelling, an Area N1 initiative, was organized to understand storytelling as one of the parts of public speaking. Storytelling is an Art and how simple articles and things around us can help us build an astonishing and natural story. It was conducted online on 16th October 2021. During the event, the moderator divided all the four participants i.e. TM Umesh, TM Swamee, TM Priyanka, and TM Ambika into two different groups. The two groups were given topics including 4 things - the main character, the actor, the emotion, and some taboo words. For example:The main character was the light bulb, the actor was a chef, the emotion was anger, and some taboo words (words that cannot be used) were Hangry, Hungry, or idea. The teams had 5 minutes to prepare their story, and they were even free to decide which language to use. After the teams had presented their stories in 5 minutes, there were Super Evaluators, TM Yash Banarsi and TM Niyamat Chimthanawala, who provided feedback to the Participants and gave some tips on how one can improve their storytelling skills. The event was successful with the help of all the roleplayers, TM Hargun, TM Jasaswini, TM Sapna, TM Gunjan, and TM Anshul. The purpose of the event was achieved which was to have fun, engage the audience and learn.

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NEPTUNE 4.0 Area Initiative

TM Sapna Acharya Area N3 Director, D98 (2021-2022)

Area N3 initiative, Ngage with Soft Skills Enhancement, was conducted on 30th January 2022. The event included a keynote speech and fun activities. The first half included a keynote speech by Division N Director, TM Deepalika on the importance of soft skills. The objective of the education session was to understand the importance of soft skills as a part of communication. These skills make it easier to build relationships, to create trust, especially when you lead a team. Soft skills help build self-confidence, a positive attitude, emotional intelligence, and a healthy work environment. TM Deepalika shared her experience and her learnings through the education session on how soft skills can help you to develop healthy personal and professional relationships. Ngage with Soft Skill Enhancement was not only about the education session. TM Rushikesh brought a lot of fun by conducting a fun segment. Our members have enjoyed it by playing games, and it helped us know each other better. I extend my gratitude to all the members who helped in organizing and making the event a success - TM Deepalika, DTM Mayuri, TM Gangaram, TM Jayaraj, TM Sakshi, TM Mudit, and TM Rushikesh. I thank all the participants for making Ngage with Soft Skills Enhancement much more engaging.

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NEPTUNE 4.0 Member's Contribution

TM Swamee Sharma Raipur Toastmasters Club, Area N1

संस्कृ ते विमानशास्त्रम् भाषाणां जननी देवी जीवनस्य प्रदर्शिका । शक्ता सर्वं समाधातुं सैषा भाषा हि संस्कृ तम् ।। संस्कृ तं सा भारतीया भाषा यत्र विविधविषयाणां ग्रन्थाः समुपलब्धाः सन्ति । यथा च वैज्ञानिकतकनीकिग्रन्थेषु भारद्वाजविरचितं विमानशास्त्रमस्ति । भारद्वाजमतेन विमानं त्रिविधं भवति – मन्त्रप्रभावात् त्रेतायां विमाना मान्त्रिका इति । द्वापरे तन्त्रप्रधानत्वाद् विमानास्तान्त्रिकाः स्मृताः ।। मन्त्रतन्त्रविहीनत्वात् तिष्ये तु कृ तका इति । त्रैविध्यं व्योमयानानामेव जात्यनुसारतः ।। (बृहद् विमानशास्त्र, पृ.-233) मान्त्रिकं विमानम् – एतद् वाग्नियन्त्रितम् आसीत् । तान्त्रिकं विमानम् – एतद् स्वचालितम् आसीत् । यान्त्रिकं (कृ तकं ) विमानम् – एतद् मानवनियन्त्रितम् आसीत् । आधुनिकविज्ञानयुगे अद्य उक्तं त्रिविधं विमानं समुपलब्धम् अस्ति ।

English Translation This shloka means – Sanskrit is considered the mother of all languages. Sanskrit offers us ways to lead a better life. It contains solutions to countless problems. Such strong is Sanskrit as a language. Sanskrit is one of the oldest languages in the world. But it contains knowledge about some of the most modern inventions. One such example comes from 'Vimanshastram' or the book on Aeroplane science, written by saint Bharadwaj. The three types of Aeroplanes mentioned in the book are: Mantrikviman – These types of Aeroplanes work on voice commands. Tantrikviman – These planes have Autopilot and work only with codes. Yantrikviman – A pilot manually flies these types of Aeroplanes. We can find all these types of planes in this modern era.

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NEPTUNE 4.0 Member's Contribution

TM Manmeet Kaur SSIPMT Spellbinders, Area N3

Knowing The Deed Ran into the ocean With a wave in the mind Found some calm Without knowing the deed Shouted the heart And felt so light indeed Anxious me found it was always about exhaling and never about keeping it in. Heart mind felt so connected Without knowing the deed! It’s always about finding what’s inside, Indeed! Ran into the ocean With a wave in the mind Waves were bouncing With everything bright Nature being the companion Sand stood still Sky set clear Stars twinkled to give a life To the heart who was skipping the beat For the one who wanted to live In the hope to know the deed !!!

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NEPTUNE 4.0 Member's Contribution

TM Mohnish Zade Nagpur Toastmasters Club, Area N2

You Still Love Me You still love me, Don't you? You still feel for me, Don't you? I live in your bedroom I still make you morning tea Then you drag me on to your bed And ask me do you love me too You still love me, Don't you? You still feel for me, Don't you? I live in your bedroom I still make you morning tea Then you drag me on to your bed And ask me do you love me too

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NEPTUNE 4.0 Ngenious Blogs

TM Umesh Chaturvedi Raipur Toastmasters Club, Area N1

बिना बोले कै से आगे बढेंगे आप? यदि मैं आपसे कहूं, की सिर्फ सही समय पर बोल ना पाने के कारण आपने आज तक बहुत से बड़े मौके गवा दिए या बहुत सी खुशियां गवा दी ? तो शायद आप विश्वास ना करें पर अगले कु छ मिनटों में आपको वह सारे पल याद आ जाएंगे, जब आप सिर्फ ना बोल पाने के कारण वह सारे मौके गवाएं थे! मुझे आज भी वह दिन याद है, अक्टूबर 2019 का पहला सप्ताह, जब पहली बार किसी कं पनी में मेरी जॉइनिंग होने वाली थी। साक्षात्कार और नियुक्ति के बीच में लगभग एक सप्ताह का समय था। इसी बीच कं पनी का वार्षिक महोत्सव भी होने वाला था, उसमे शामिल होने के लिए मुझे भी आमंत्रित किया गया था, ताकि मैं कं पनी के संस्कार और कार्यशैली के बारे में और नजदीक से समझ पाऊं । वार्षिक महोत्सव शुरू हो चुका था, सभी विभागों के वरिष्ठ अधिकारी अपने विभाग की उपलब्धियां और भविष्य की योजनाओं के बारे में बारी-बारी से मंच पर आकर व्याख्यान दे रहे थे। अब बारी थी, हमारे MD श्री अनिल शर्मा के व्याख्यान का, वह बहुत ही ओजस्वी और प्रतिभाशाली वक्ता हैं, उन्होंने एक बहुत ही सरल सा सवाल पूछा और सही जवाब देने वाले को पांच सौ रुपए का पुरस्कार देने की घोषणा की। उस सवाल का जवाब वहां बैठे लगभग हर कर्मचारी को पता रहा होगा, लेकिन जवाब देने की हिम्मत कोई नही कर पाया। मैं हिम्मत करके खड़ा तो हुआ, लेकिन मेरे मुंह से एक शब्द के बाद आवाज ही नहीं निकल पायी, इसी बीच एक नवयुवक खड़ा हुआ और वही जवाब दिया जो मेरे पेट से निकलकर गले में अटक गई थी, और मेरे सामने ही पुरुष्कार की धनराशि कोई और ले गया।

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उस दिन दुःख जरूर हुआ क्योंकि मेरे सामने, मेरे हिस्से का पुरुस्कार कोई और लेकर चला गया, लेकिन जब आज पीछे मुड़कर देखता हूं , तो समझ आता है की उस दिन मेरे तो सिर्फ पांच सौ रुपए ही गए थे, लेकिन आज के इस तेजी से बदल रहे समाज में, बहुत से लोगों की सपनों की नौकरी सिर्फ इसलिए उनके सामने किसी और को मिल गई क्योंकि सही समय पर आत्मविश्वास के साथ वह बोल नहीं पाये या यूं कहें कि अपनी कं पनी के मीटिंग में एक बहुत अच्छा सुझाव होने के बावजूद सिर्फ सही समय पर वह बोल नहीं पाए जिस कारण भविष्य में उस कं पनी के मुख्य कार्यकारी अधिकारी बनने का मौका उनके किसी सहकर्मी को मिल गया और आज अफसोस करने के सिवाय उनके पास कु छ नही है। या फिर किसी कार्यक्रम में आपको अपने विचार रखने का मौका मिला था, जिससे आप अपनी अलग पहचान बना सकते थे लेकिन सिर्फ "ना बोल" पाने के कारण वह मौका आपका कोई पड़ोसी ले गया। मात्र बोल ना पाने के कारण आप जिंदगी भर समाज की पंक्ति के आखिरी छोर पर खड़े रहें और एक गुमनाम की जिंदगी गुजार दें? मैं टोस्टमास्टर्स जैसे क्लब से जुड़ा, जिसका फायदा मुझे पहले दिन से ही दिखाई देने लगा और इसी के चलते ही मैं आज यह लेख लिख पा रहा हूं। यदि आपके लिए भी उपर्युक्त सवालों के जवाब "ना" में हैं , तो आज ही अपने आसपास टोस्टमास्टर्स या टोस्टमास्टर्स जैसी संस्थाओं के बारे में जानकारी इकट्ठा कीजिए और बिना देर किए हुए जुड़ जाएं।

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NEPTUNE 4.0 Ngenious Blogs

TM Sakina Kapasi Raipur Toastmasters Club, Area N1

Vegetable Cruelty "You can judge a man's true character by the way he treats his fellow cashews" Paul McCartney. Have you ever wondered if plants feel pain? Have you heard of broccoli abuse, shy tomatoes, trolling potatoes? If not, then read this! Plants have feelings too. Don't they? Whatever is your stance, the answer to this question can be complex. If you are a vegan, you might probably cringe every time I tell you plants have feelings. But you would also non confidently mumble back how plants do not have a central nervous system, so scientifically, they cannot feel pain. In simple words, plants rule the world- and we all owe our existence to them. Let us break down 2 case studies generally referred to by scientists. 1. Plants can hear themselves eaten by the caterpillar. Imagine yourself getting chewed by an anaconda, and you get to hear him munch your bones. Hideous right? Poor plants! A study found that plants forced to listen to the sounds of vibrations from the munching of caterpillars produced more mustard oils (chemicals insects do not like). All these show how sly plants are. They drop their hints of hatred without being too obvious about it.

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NEPTUNE 4.0 Ngenious Blogs

TM Sakina Kapasi Raipur Toastmasters Club, Area N1

Vegetable Cruelty 2. Plants can communicate with each other and scream when under stress. During an experiment, on one side, wounded (cut), dry tomato plants were placed. On the other side, fresh plants were placed. Wounded plants cried for help. These sounds were heard in the form of ultrasonic sounds by the other plants and the other plants rescued themselves by producing a bitter poisonous compound in their leaves. The scientists used laser-powered microphones to hear the same. The laser mics revealed that flowers wail when their leaves are cut. Cucumbers scream when they are sick. When a lettuce's head is chopped white milk-like liquid seeps from the severed head. Call it to plant juice or something else. It is pure plant blood. Discussing Valentine's Day, don’t you think we should rename it as mass murder day? Around 24 million roses are grown all over the world! We humans and animals can consciously process pain, but plants can only react to a stimulus, just like how we press the doorbell button, and there is a sound. So the deal breaker is the difference between mechanical response by plants and a conscious response by animals. I would love to hear from you now. Do plants have feelings?

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NEPTUNE 4.0 Ngenious Blogs

TM Ritika Singhvi Loyal Toastmasters Club, Area N3

Brahamputra की सवारी on Pedal

The Cycle expedition, aptly named “BRAHAMPUTRA KI SAWARI”. A voyage through Assam on the tempestuous Brahamputra river was an indelible experience. I got another opportunity after having done a few long distance cycling expeditions B2C (Bangalore to Coorg). Cycling in Odisha around Chilkha and remote Melghat in past. Our group planned cycling around the mighty Brahamputra to explore the nooks and crannies of the state of Aasam on bicycle. The result was a never-to-beforgotten adventure of 6 days covering about 325kms of raw beauty of Assam. We started our expedition from Guwahati and explored different terrains. It was a mixed platter of Cycling, hiking, adventures, jungle safari, campfire, dance, Antakshari, capturing scenic views, interaction with locals, relishing local cuisines, rolling on the hay stack, grueling touch to the Bhutan Gate, encounters with Rhinos and wild boars, getting acquainted with rare species of the golden langoors and watching the beautiful migratory birds.

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We travelled like a nomad and stayed at different venues like tents, Hotels and home stays. This expedition was designed for 14 persons from various states. We took a 7-day sabbatical from the outside world and to be entirely ourselves for these 7 days. Our daily routine was to strap on our helmet, hop onto the bike and embark on our thrilling adventure. As we pedaled through the untraveled routes, we caught a glimpse into the lives of the locals who are blessed to live in such in a lush green environment. After basking in the beauty of the area and satisfying our hunger as bikers, We returned with a plethora of incredible and memorable experiences.

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NEPTUNE 4.0 Ngenious Creations

TM Kashika Parmar SSIPMT Spellbinders, Area N3

TM Nikhil Maurya Rungta Toastmasters Club, Area N4

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NEPTUNE 4.0 Ngenious Creations

TM Rudraja Vansutre SSIPMT Spellbinders, Area N3

TM Sanjana Sao Rungta Toastmasters Club, Area N4

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NEPTUNE 4.0 Ngenious Creations

TM Arti Patil TCS Nagpur Toastmasters Club, Area N1

TM Gouri Dixit Nagpur Toastmasters Club, Area N2

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NEPTUNE 4.0 Ngenious Creations

TM Gopal Mantri Raipur Toastmasters Club, Area N1

An Indic Eye Govinda means protector of cows or one who keeps cowherd happy. Govinda is an incarnation of Shri Krishna, who spent most of his time loving & caring for cows. This painting also focuses on the dark skin tone which Lord Krishna had, but we as a human hardly accept it and change the skin tone to the brighter side. “Govinda” (Acrylic on Canvas)

Veena Vadini means one who plays the instrument Veena. It is another name of Goddess Saraswati, God of knowledge. The painting shows her engrossed in playing the instrument. The swan below her is Vahaana of goddess Saraswati which signifies grace & beauty. “Veena Vadini” (Oil on Canvas)

An abstract style - the face in deep meditation with a quiet smile represents the serenity of Lord Krishna. Various colors in the bottom give vibrancy & are in contrast to the top of the painting, which is flat white, signifying the calmness of meditation. “Keshav” (Acrylic on Canvas)

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NEPTUNE 4.0 Ngenious Creations

TM Annubhuti Kakkad Gurukul.Education Toastmasters Club, Area N4

Something Started Again It was TM Gunjan’s birthday, the President of our Club. I wanted to gift her something special and creative. I made a minimal portrait of her and my picture that we took at the outdoor meeting of our club. And it turned out pretty good. Then, I got the motivation to make more such portraits.

I always wanted to paint beautiful faces. So, I needed to start somewhere. All the artwork I have learned till now is by myself. I have tried painting Minimal Portraits before, but they haven't turned out the way I wanted until I tried again.

After a few days, I started getting good responses from the audience. Do you know why? Because instead of making minimal portraits on a usual canvas, I started making them on wooden coasters. The wooden coasters were the cherry on the cake.

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NEPTUNE 4.0 Member Speaks

I am a member of SSIPMT Spellbinders and is also serving as the VP Public Relations of the club. Toastmasters have helped me to completely transform from an inactive to an active individual. It helped me gain confidence to speak in front of an audience. I learned graphic designing by being a VP Public Relations and learned about color dynamics. It helped me network with people from different areas of interest.

TM Mudit Shrivastava SSIPMT Spellbinders, Area N3

TM Mudit is also a singer. To listen to his cover click here

Raisoni Intitute’s Brio Toastmasters Club offered me a great opportunity to improve my leadership and public speaking skills. It offered me an audience who can listen to me and suggest improvements which helped me to increment my progress and enhance my personality. I got a chance to interact with many people, thus getting a lot of exposure here. I also learnt to influence people, lead teams and perform various tasks. I could share the experience of my life in my speeches and thus could share it with others. Overall, Toastmasters Club helped me upgrade my personality as an individual.

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TM Harsh Sahu Raisoni Intitute’s Brio Toastmasters Club, Area N4

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NEPTUNE 4.0 Quiz

Ngross

ACROSS 2. Who is the current President of Toastmasters International? 4. How many paths are there in Toastmasters? 5. How many paid clubs do we have in Division N? 7. Who is the first speaker in a Toastmasters meeting? 8. How many executive committee roles are present in Toastmasters? DOWN 1. Who was the first Division Director for Division N? 3. Who was the founder of Toastmasters International? 6. What is the geographical extent of Division N?

Answers ACROSS: DTMMargaretPage, Eleven. Fifteen, SergeantAtArms, Seven DOWN: DTMMayuriAssudani, RalphCSmedley, NagpurRaipur

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NEPTUNE 4.0 VP PR Corner

Blockbuster Poster (as selected by DTM Smita Mishra District PR Manager, District 98, 2021-22)

July 2021 Rungta Toastmasters Club

August 2021 SSIPMT Spellbinders

September 2021 Gurukul.Education Toastmasters Club #DivisionN

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NEPTUNE 4.0 VP PR Corner

Blockbuster Poster (as selected by DTM Smita Mishra District PR Manager, District 98, 2021-22)

October 2021 Loyal Toastmasters Club

November 2021 IIM Nagpur Toastmasters Club

December 2021 TCS Nagpur Toastmasters Club #DivisionN

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NEPTUNE 4.0

Hall of Fame Awards EXCEEDING EVEREST IIM NAGPUR TOASTMASTERS CLUB IMT NAGPUR TOASTMASTERS CLUB

POWER OF TWO TM RADHIKA & TM TULASIRAM TCS Nagpur Toastmasters Club

TM SWAMEE & TM SHASHIKANT Raipur Toastmasters Club

RETENTION CHAMPS

Member's Achievements

EARLY RENEWAL CHAMPIONS RAIPUR TOASTMASTERS CLUB IIM NAGPUR TOASTMASTERS CLUB

EARLY BIRDS TM GUNJAN BANARSI Area N2 Director

TM SAPNA ACHARYA Area N3 Director

PRE-SMEDLEY

RAISONI INSTITUTE'S DIAMOND TOASTMASTERS CLUB

TM ALFIYA KHAN

RAISONI INSTITUTE'S EMERALD TOASTMASTERS CLUB

TM PRANJAL JOSHI

InfoCepts Toastmasters Club

IMT Nagpur Toastmasters Club

GURUKUL.EDUCATION TOASTMASTERS CLUB

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NEPTUNE 4.0

Hall of Fame Awards SMEDLEY CLUB IIM NAGPUR TOASTMASTERS CLUB

TORCH BEARER LOYAL TOASTMASTERS CLUB

Member's Achievements

SEPTEMBER SPRINT RAIPUR TOASTMASTERS CLUB BRONZE IIM NAGPUR TOASTMASTERS CLUB - PLATINUM

SUPER SPONSOR TM DEEPALIKA KOWAR TCS Nagpur Toastmasters Club

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NEPTUNE 4.0

Triple Crown Awards

Member's Achievements

DTM MAYURI ASSUDANI

Loyal Toastmasters Club

TM ANJALI JAIN

Gurukul.Education Toastmasters Club

TM HARGUN SINGH KOCHHAR Raipur Toastmasters Club TM NAMITA BOSE

Raisoni Institute's Diamond Toastmasters Club

TM SAJEDA KHATUN

Raisoni Institute's Diamond Toastmasters Club

TM SAKSHI MADDERLAWAR

Raisoni Institute's Diamond Toastmasters Club

TM PRATHMESH THAKUR

Raisoni Institute's Diamond Toastmasters Club

TM NILESH BHOYAR