Sep 2025
GLS-FOC under the auspice of the Speaker’s Forum – Speak to Lead, hosted an enlightening Public Speaking Workshop on 9th September, 2025. The workshop was conducted by Mr. Nivid Desai, Program Executive at the Writing Studio, IIT Gandhinagar. The workshop commenced with an enthusiastic response from the students. To break the ice, Mr. Desai invited participants to share their experiences—both positive and negative—with public speaking. Mr. Desai emphasized that good listening is the foundation of good speaking. He explained that only by paying attention to others can one develop the ability to respond with clarity, precision and empathy because “A good speaker is first a good listener.” He further shared that public speaking is not merely about delivering words but about creating a meaningful connection with the audience. During the course of the session, Mr. Desai provided guidelines, tips, and practical strategies for students to overcome stage fright and manage performance anxiety. He introduced simple breathing techniques and mental exercises that can help calm nerves before stepping on stage. He also encouraged students to reframe nervousness as excitement, thereby transforming fear into confidence. A key highlight of the workshop was Mr. Desai’s explanation of the five W’s and one H technique (What, Where, why, When, Who, and How). Mr. Desai also gave specific tips to excel in competitions such as elocutions, debates, JAM (Just a Minute) sessions and group discussions. The workshop concluded on a note of gratitude towards Mr. Nivid Desai, whose guidance left a lasting impression on the students. The workshop was coordinated by Dr. Bhumika Ansodaria and Dr. Gitanjali Rampal.