M. C. Kejriwal Vidyapeeth hosts the Frank Anthony Memorial All-India Inter-School Debate 2023 (Preliminary Stage)

Published on: 10 Jul 2023

M. C. Kejriwal Vidyapeeth hosted the prestigious Frank Anthony Memorial All-India Inter-School Debate 2023, Category II (Classes IX and X), Stage 1, at the school campus on 10 July 2023.

Accomplished participants from nine schools across West Bengal - Julien Day School, Ganganagar, St. Agnes’ Convent School, Howrah, Don Bosco School, Bandel, Gospel Home School, Rishra, Don Bosco School, Liluah, East West Model School, Burdwan, Modern English Academy, Barrackpore, Carmel School, Durgapur, and Modern High School For Girls, Kolkata, put forth their views on the topic, ‘Facebook friends have become more real than real friends’. In the designated preparation time, the teams researched the topic, formulated their arguments, and gathered evidence to support their contentions. Each school comprised two speakers: one supported, and the other opposed, the motion.

The programme began with a welcome address by Ms Sanghamitra Pal, Middle Stage Coordinator, MCKV. The young participants artfully presented their well-structured arguments persuasively. The most exciting to watch was the rebuttal segment, where a volley of counter-arguments was answered confidently by the calm and poised speakers. The fierce yet respectful exchanges exemplified the maturity and alacrity of the debaters, creating an atmosphere of intellectual camaraderie among the competing schools.

Rtn. Shankar Ramalingam, Trustee, Calcutta Debating Circle, moderated the debate in his inimitable style. The panel of judges comprised Ms Indrani Ganguly, Educationist and Visiting Faculty, GM Institute of Technology, Prof. Asish Kumar Bose, Assistant Prof., MCKV Institute of Engineering, and Ms Barnali Guha, Head of the Department of English, MCKV. The judges ensured fair evaluation and fostered a high standard of thoughtful discourse.

At the conclusion of the event, the winners were announced and certificates were awarded. Medha Jhawar of Modern High School For Girls, was adjudged the Best Speaker and Sumantika Bhattacharyya of Modern English Academy, Barrackpore, was declared the First Runner-Up Speaker. Don Bosco School, Liluah was declared the First Runner-Up Team.The Winning Team of the day was Don Bosco School, Bandel, represented by Aarav Tiwari and Balark Das. The event came to a conclusion with a vote of thanks proposed by Mr Biswajit Majumdar, Headmaster, MCKV.