Utkalika, an association of Indian Odia expatriates, is affiliated with Indian Cultural Centre under the aegis of embassy of India, Qatar.
As a vibrant and active community of 200 registered families, Utkalika continues to celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Odisha in Qatar.
Utkalika community members like Susmita Pattnaik and Debasish Sahu are associated with toastmasters in Qatar and they spearheaded the idea of forming a new club for the Odia community in Qatar along with Bidya Bhushan Mohanty, Utkalika president.
The idea was supported by Thayalan K, District director; Rajesh V C, District club growth director; and Anil Nair, Division F director.
With the support of the Utkalika management committee members namely; Kajal Biswal, Santosh Dora, Nihar Mohanty and Bibhu Acharya, the required membership for registration was accomplished and Utkalika Toastmasters Club was chartered on August 15, 2020.
The founders of the club chose the date as India got its freedom on the same day in 1947, and hence, they believe that the club will become a symbol of freedom from fear of public speaking.
The first meeting of the club was held recently. During the meeting, Mahroof al-Haq, Area 24 director, inducted the founder members and installed Anshuman Mohapatra as president, Abinash Acharya as vice president - education, Sagarika Pati as VP-membership, Ipsita Satpathy as VP-PR, Jayanigam Ray as secretary, Sangita Dash as treasurer and Sidhartha Das as the sergeant at arms. The club has an equal representation of male and female representatives.
Debasish Sahu and Bidya Bhushan Mohanty have been appointed as club sponsors. Rajakumari Shivakumar and Shiban Khan will serve as club mentors. Abmak Toastmasters Club and Qatar Toastmasters Club are the sponsoring clubs.
Utkailka Toastmasters Club was chartered on August 15.
