MULISSA event � 4: Elocution Competition Mysore University Library and Information Science Students Association (MULISSA), Department of Library and Information Science (DLIS), University of Mysore, Mysore organized an elocution competition for the students of MLISc and MIM on Friday, September 23, 2005 at 3.30 pm. The elocution competition was arranged by MULISSA to encourage the students to improve upon their public speaking abilities, to overcome impediments such as stammer, stutter, general nerves, and to increase their confidence in their communication. Each participant was asked to speak for two minutes about any topic of their choice. The competition received an overwhelming response from the student community. Public speaking tops the list of phobias for most people. Public speaking anxiety is very common among student community. The anxiety of students in public speaking center around: being embarrassed; worries about mistakes; looking stupid; judged unattractive; no one being interested in what they have to say; and not wanting to be the centre of attention. Speaking on the occasion Prof. Shalini R Urs urged the students to participate actively. Oratory is a skill that needs to be cultivated consciously, as no one is a born orator. Proper preparation and practicing/rehearsing would help to communicate better. She said, even most successful speakers practice their speech. She cited the examples of Sir Winston Churchill � one of the most successful orators of the world - being confessed in that he was practising his speeches for important occasion before a huge mirror. There was an interesting range of topics that the students chose to speak on. They include: places; leaders � political and spiritual; institutions of learning � colleges, Departments and Universities; education; jokes; eye donation; technology; fundamental duties; personal traits � self respect, friendship etc. Events like Siachen and Katrina were also subjects of talk in the elocution competition. One student talked for entire two minutes on his futile effort to find a topic for the elocution competition!! A quick feed back collected showed that students enjoyed the programme and at the same they felt that the programme has helped them to overcome their inhibitions to some extent. Dr. Mallinath Kumbar, Reader, Department of Library and Information Science, University of Mysore, Mysore and Ms. Pushpa Joseph, Assistant Librarian, Mysore University Library, Mysore adjudged the student performance in the competition. Ms. M. Nagaveni and Ms. K. Savitha won the first and second prizes respectively. Giving his opinion on the competition, Dr. Kumbar said that these kinds of competition would help the students to improve their communication skill. He said apart from competition, the DLIS has been trying its best to improve the communication skills of students by way of compulsory seminars and assignments. It may be noted here that DLIS, Mysore has recently introduced one exclusive paper called �Personality Development and Communication Skills� in its MLISc curriculum. Dr. N.S. Harinarayana, the faculty advisor of MULISSA welcomed the gathering and Sri. C.S. Surendra proposed the vote of thanks. -- N.S.Harinarayana Ph.D Department of Library and Information Science University of Mysore Manasagangotri, Mysore 570 006 Ph: 2419393