Chairperson: Prof. Leena Ramanai
Secretary : Ms. Tanvi Choudhary
The Group Discussion Cell held a workshop on public speaking in co-ordination with the Speakers’ Academy wherein students were acquainted with the modus operandi of group discussions through a mock group discussion. The Cell held group discussions on a plethora of topics. Members of the Cell also won Elixir Group Discussion Competition.
Rostrum Spectrum - The Renaissance, a literary festival in its 19th year, organized by the Speakers’ Academy and the Group Discussion Cell included events such as debates, group discussions, word games and quizzes. It featured a workshop on corporate communication by Mrs. Lalita Paranjape – an eminent corporate trainer. The event was sponsored by Reliance Mutual Fund and witnessed participation from some of the best colleges in Mumbai.
Activate yourself,
Be analytical,
Be Evaluative,
Be a part of GDC.
Chairperson- Prof. (Ms.) Leena Ramani
Secretary – Mr. Rohit Kalahasthi
The GDC holds Intra collegiate group discussion around the year to hone the talent of listening, leadership, and team skills of the students. GDC started for the academic year 2008-09 with around 75 students registered as members. A total of 20 students of Group Discussion were held for the Degree as well as the Junior College Students.
The Group Discussion Finals for the Degree College were judged by Ms. Blossom Lobo, a professional trainer in public speaking and Rupal Kulkarni, an ex Podarite and a Mumbai University winner in debating.
In collaboration with the Speaker's Academy, The GDC also conducted a workshop on Importance of good Public Speaking Skills. The lecture was by Prof. Ms. Leena Ramani, Chairperson of GDC and Prof. Ms. Kavita Jajoo Chairperson of Speaker's Academy.
Also the Inter Collegiate Public Speaking Event of R.A Podar College, Rostrum Spectrum 2008 was conducted by the GDC and the Speakers Academy in association with the Times Of India Group, Times Foundation.
The semifinals of the Rostrum Spectrum, 2008 were held in the college Premises and were judged by Prof. Shobana Vasudevan, Vice Principal of R.A. Podar College and by Ms. Ami Shah a trainer in reading and writing skills.
The finals were held in Nalanda Center of the Times Of India Building and were judged by a panel of judges compromising of Mr. Nayan Chandan an ex-Podarite and currently the Vice President of Marketing and direct access Ms. Carol Andrade a journalist and an editor. The chief guest for the finals was Prof. Mr. Sahuraja former Principal R.A Podar And presently the chief Mentor of L.N. Wellingkar Institute Of Management. A total of 25 colleges Participated and IIT (Mumbai) was the winner of Spectrum 2008 while Ramnarian Ruia College was the winner of Rostrum 2008.
During this weak long festival a workshop on how to improve your public speaking skills in the corporate world was conducted by Ms. Priyanka Krishnan who is an ex Podarite and has a degree in MBA from University of Manchester.
Chairperson: Prof. (Ms.) Leena Ramani
Secretary: Ms. Sneha Dedhia
Activate yourself: Be analytical, Be a part of GDC
GDC started in the year 2007-08 with having 81 Podarites as members Staying true to its motto of “Discussions lead to New Dimensions” GDC conducted Intra-Collegiate Group Discussions regularly round the year.
The discussion included a variety of abstract and thought provoking topics like:
- ‘Water burns more than fire’ – the topic for the finals
- ‘Dynasty ruling Politics’
- ‘Marketing makes you buy anything and everything’
- ‘Effects of appreciating Indian Rupee’
Other activities of the year included Guest Lectures, the details being as follows:
- How to conduct yourself in a G.D- by Prof. (Ms.) Chanda Kathuria and Prof. (Ms.) Chanda Katuria and Prof. (Ms.) Leena Ramani.
- HIV Awareness – Ms. Rakhi Nair, WARF.
Spectrum, an intercollegiate group discussion competition was empowered into Enigma, an intercollegiate festival by R.A. Podar College.
GDC also invited Prof. (Ms.) Rita Doctor (former HOD of Philosophy at Ruia College), Ms. Ruta Vyas an (ex-Podarite and an IIM-B alumnus), Prof. (Ms.) Lalita Paranjpe (Professor of English at Ruia College), Ms.Vardha Phense (Director of Cerebus Consultants), Ms. Vishaka Sawlapur (ex-Podarite and an independent HR Consultant) as distinguished judges for the events. The 3 best speakers at Group Discussion were Ms. Tanvi Choudhary, Mr. Siddharth Parekh and Mr. Rohan Sharma. They were given Crossword Book Vouchers and a Certificate.