Debating Excellence 2024 by Calcutta Debating Cirlce : MCKV Chapter

Published on: 27 Jun 2024

M. C. Kejriwal Vidyapeeth had an excellent opportunity  to host an extremely engaging debate workshop presented by Calcutta Debating Circle as a part of Debating Excellence 2024, in association with the JIS Group and The Telegraph Young Metro  on 26 June 2024.  The school auditorium witnessed the welcoming and felicitation of Mr Jordan Anderson, renowned debate coach, student debaters from Harvard University, Cambridge University, Yale University and London School of Economics and senior members of Calcutta Debating Circle- Mr Pradeep  Gooptu, Mr Shankar Ramalingam, Mr Mainak Biswas, Ms Shormili Chakroborty , Ms Sampurnaa Sanyal , and Mr Rik Banarjee. Mr Kishan Kumar  Kejriwal, Chairman of MCKV Group of Institutions, Mr Neelkantha Gupta, Director, MCKV and Mr Abhay Kejriwal, Trustee, also graced the occasion. The event was designed to enhance the debating skills of our students, providing them with the tools and techniques needed to excel in public speaking and critical thinking. The event commenced  with an introductory session where Mr Pradeep Gooptu, the Managing  Trustee of CDC, shared his journey highlighting the importance of debate in personal and academic growth.  The workshop was initiated by  Mr Jordan Anderson who has over 21 years of experience as a champion in international debate competitions and Mr Nir Amin, a debater from the Harvard College Debating Union. Students were then divided into groups to facilitate interactive sessions, mock debates and hands-on practice. These small teams were trained by Mr Joe Fennel , Ms Mahika  Chechi, Mr Maratha Lucas, Mr Elias Silver , Ms Arjun Gunalan  and Ms Molly Callaghan, each of them, student debater from the reputed universities with a vast knowledge and expertise in the field of debating.

Mr Anderson and his team explained different debate formats emphasizing the unique aspects of each format.  The session focused on how to effectively research on a debate topic, gather reliable evidence, and persuade it convincingly. Students were taught how to discern credible sources and construct well-founded arguments.

The workshop concluded with a mock debate where students put into practice whatever they had learned all morning. They debated on  ‘This house believes that Internet should be regulated by international bodies, not national bodies.’  The debate was  judged  by  Mr Jordan Anderson , Mr Nir Amin, Ms Martha Lucas  and  chaired by Mr Shankar Ramalingam .The winner of the mock debate was Deepangshu Mitra , Class 10 B while Jeet Ghosh and Lakshya Tripathi of Class 12 A were adjudged second and third respectively. Each of the winners received certificates from the dignitaries.

The debate workshop was a resounding success, equipping our students with essential life and debating skills that will serve them well in their academic, professional and personal lives.