New York, Aug 28 An IIT Kharagpur graduate - now a PhD scholar at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) - has won the 2007 Toastmasters International World Championship of Public Speaking.

Vikas Jhingran, 34, a native of Morabadad, won the championship held in Phoenix, Arizona Aug 18.

Toastmasters International is a non-profit educational organisation that operates clubs worldwide for the purpose of helping members to improve their communication, public speaking and leadership skills.

Through its member clubs, Toastmasters International helps people learn the art of speaking, listening and thinking - vital skills that promote self-actualisation, enhance leadership potential, foster human understanding and contribute to the general betterment of humankind.

The contest is also known as the "Olympics of public speaking". This year's competition featured 10 finalists, each of whom presented a seven-minute original speech to a panel of judges.

"It's a big deal - two thousand people in a huge ballroom, most of them in formals. The energy was fantastic!" Jhingran said after winning the title.

Jhingran presented "The Swami's Question", a speech about finding himself through meditation and about getting into MIT, his dream school.

Contestants were judged on content, speech organisation, voice quality, gestures and delivery.

Jhingran has served as co-president of the Sloan Leadership Club and has co-chaired the 2006 Sloan Leadership Conference.