A bilingual debate festival as well as a talent search contest to end the year with a bang! Narayana Group of Schools presents the Bengal School Debating Star of the Year in collaboration with The Telegraph Young Metro and the Calcutta Debating Circle (CDC). Organised in association with MCKV Institute of Engineering, the event aims to help students, even those who have never debated before, discover their gift of the gab.
Students from Classes IX to XII all over the state are invited to upload a two-and-a-half minute recorded speech on — Board Examinations Are a Test of Memory and Not Merit. A candidate can speak for and against the motion in English or Bengali.
“The students have a whole lot of demo video recordings to look up to for practice, before recording their final speech. Only one recording should be uploaded along with the online registration form,” said Pradeep Gooptu, an author and a trustee of the CDC, an organisation that grooms budding debaters of the nation.
He said a panel of judges would select 12 semi-finalists each from Calcutta, Siliguri and South Bengal zones. “There will be three parallel semi-finals held in Burdwan (December 4), Siliguri (December 4) and Calcutta (December 5). The semi-finals will be held in various branches of the Narayan Group of Schools.
Twelve best speakers will lock horns in a grand final to be held in a Calcutta school on December 8.
“This is the first time we are holding an event on such a scale. We hope to make it an annual affair. Often in schools, students are not allowed to be members of more than one recreational club. So, many talents go unnoticed. The event will help the enthusiasts learn the finer art of debating. The winners will receive cash prizes,” said Gooptu.
According to cardiac surgeon and a trustee of the CDC Kunal Sarkar, over 500 videos are expected in the prelim rounds as there are no caps to the number of videos a school can send. “Thirty per cent of India’s population is below 22-23 years. But, most of our debates are limited to the older population. Our youngsters are cleverer with a lot of wise opinions. The only way we can hear them is through debates. But often in a competition, the school selects the best two offering students limited opportunity. This event will help many realise their hidden talent,” he said.
Apply at https://www.youngbengalspeaks. in/. The last date for applying is November 20.