The annual techno-cultural fest of IIT(ISM), Srijan 2020, kicked off on Friday with debate, drama and quiz offering an welcome break to students from classrooms, laboratories and workshops.

The day began with a debate competition titled Chakravyuh at the management hall of the institute.

Organised by the literary society of the institute, Chayanika Sangh, the event witnessed the participation of 45 students in a general group discussion.

Nine groups of five students each spoke on topics such as death punishment should be abolished, social media has affected our happiness, beauty contests should be banned, present human life is better than the life 100 years ago, Digital India is leading to increasing unemployment, India’s population a boon or bane, increasing difficulties of Indian muslims due to CAA & NRC, Zero, and destination or journey, which is important.

The group discussion was followed by the semi-final round where 10 students debated on topics such as moral education should be included in the syllabus and Digital India is leading to joblessness.

Subham Sharma, third-year BTech civil engineering student of IIT(ISM), and Kaushal Garg of first-year BTech electrical engineering, qualified for the final round where they engaged in a war of words on whether the government spends excessive money on defence. Subham emerged the winner.

Sanchet Chaurasia, a third-year mechanical engineering student and the coordinator of Chakravyuh, said: “In the group discussion and semi-final rounds, the participants had only one minute to speak. But in the final round, the two participants were allowed to speak for four minutes each.”

The drama contest titled Rangmanch was held at Golden Jubilee lecture theatre.

One team each from Asansol Engineering College, NIT Durgapur and IIT(ISM) took part.

NIT Durgapur, which staged a drama called A free prisoner, emerged the winner while Asansol Engineering College, which staged Tuta hua Chappal, bagged the second spot.

Anuj Rajodiya, third-year MTech (mathematics and computing) student and the co-ordinated of the drama contest, said: “The play staged by NIT Durgapur was based on the story of an undertrial prisoner who develops a good friendship with the jailor because of his intellect. When he is released, he becomes very sad as he has no friends outside the jail. Finally, he kills another person to return to jail.”

Over 100 students took part in the quiz in which the IIT(ISM) team, comprising Harshit Garg from civil engineering, Tejas Bagrecha from environmental engineering and Moin Khan from mining engineering departments, emerged the winner.

The first day also included T-shirt painting competition, a group dance competition and fashion show.

The events lined up for the next two days include stand-up comedy and face painting, poetry and street-play competitions.

Notably more than 1000 students will take part in the different events of the three day fest.