Sheikh Iraj and Tashfiq Bin Maksud
Debating is a fabulous way to gather experiences that help students to accrue analytical and better communicating skills. Through debating, students learn to look at things from more of a rational point of view. Besides having a number of educational benefits and continuous development of cognitive skills, it allows them to learn how to organise, research and convey information in a convincing manner. Debating provides a competitive stage where teams clash verbally within a specific timeframe to prove one’s point is more legitimate than the other’s in order to win. A lot of effort and training goes into it which makes winning almost incomparable to anything. But at the end of the day whether your team wins or loses, this skill is valued greatly in every aspect of our lives.
Viqarunnisa Noon School and College (VNSC) recently hosted the Viqarunnisa Noon Debating Club (VDC) National Debate Festival 2016 at its Baily Road campus from May 18 to June 2. With 112 teams, comprising of 336 debaters from numerous schools and colleges, the debates were very competitive and the festival itself was outstanding.
Other than the orthodox debate competition, there was also a segment called ‘barowari’ in which each debater was given a specific topic to give a speech on. They arrayed the festival into four levels of debaters and such categorisation made it possible for fair judgment. The levels were: children’s level (classes 5-7), school level (classes 8-10), college level and club level.
The festival kicked off with an amazing opening ceremony where VNSC students presented an incredible display of our culture through singing and well-coordinated dancing. Vice Chancellor of ULAB Imam Rahman and actor Ali Zaker were the guests of the day. The principal of VNSC, club moderator and the two guests gave their speeches to start off the festival.
First, the Children’s Debate Round and Children Barowari took place. The winner was Adamjee School Debating Club Novojug and the runner-up Ideal Debating Club-02. The best speaker of this level was Ridwan Rifat. The top three speakers of children barowari were Md Tamjad Hossain, Md Tahsin Islam and Prokriti Projukti. The school level debate started from May 21. The winner was Ideal Debating Club-03, while the runner up was Motijheel Government Boys’ School Debate Club- ORINDOM.
The club level debate started from May 27. This level consisted of several university clubs, including teams from Dhaka University, BUET, North South University, BUTEX and many others. North South Communication Club became the champion at this level. The college level debate started from May 28. The competition was stiff, as the debaters from each team were well experienced. The winner was DCBS-DNA and the runner-up Notre Dame College Debating Club-Alpha. The Best Speaker of this level was NCPDC- Riadul Islam Joy
School and College Barowari took place on June 1. The top three speakers of the sschool level were Md Tamjad Hossain, Md Tahsin Islam and Prokriti Projukti. The top four speakers of the college level were Samshad Navia Novelly, Mehrun Nahar Moury, Marzana Mahmud and Shahriar Ethan Babla.
The closing ceremony took place on June 2, followed by the prize-giving ceremony. The display of our magnificent culture was shown again at the ceremony.
Y&I, meanwhile, talked to some participants and an organiser about their experiences at the festival. Here are their comments:
Shahriar Ethan Babla
Notre Dame College, NDDC Alpha
Expectations are always high when an institute like Viqarunnisa Noon School and College arranges a debate competition. Anyway, it was an amazing festival. And I must accolade the organisers. Their behaviour was good as well. The motions were interesting and we really enjoyed the debates. Hopefully, there will be more festivals like in future from VDC.
Prokriti Projukti
Viqarunnisa Noon School, School Level Barowari
The working experience of Viqarunnisa Noon Debating Club (VDC) was, in all senses of the word, a heavenly feeling. The affection of the elders, association of the co-workers and helpful attitude of every kind of people, including participants, guests and sponsors, made those days more mesmerizing. Every little moment spent with this club and every little thing learned from this club will always be kept in our hearts. The VDC Bangla National Debating Fest indeed met with a huge success. Long live VDC! Long live Viqarunnisa!
Kefayet Alfesan
Dhaka College Debating Society
Debate tournaments arranged by VDC are always considered mainstream and prestigious. They held their reputation successfully this time. It was a wonderful tournament. The topics were very interesting and thought provoking. Expert adjudication was there too. It was a pleasurable experience on our part. I am glad that I experienced it and fetched the championship.
Syeda Ashfah Toaha Duti
Debater, VDC Parometa
This year, I was privileged to be the debater of team VDC Parometa. Our team was one of the newest teams of this festival. It was our (Ishman and me)) first debate in the college level arena. This very festival made us realise how wide the debating world is. Knowing about stuff, catching points, standing up with a sensible conclusion, makes you feel the rush. Personally, I got to learn a lot. Fellow debaters from VDC Progga and VDC Protiti helped our team. My enthusiasm level went so high that I was a consistent viewer of all the debates that were held. This was a huge learning experience. It might sound funny, yet I must say I never learned so much when I was in school.
Zeba Farah Haque
President, Viqarunnisa Noon Debating Club
Viqarunnisa Noon Debating Club is my second home, my pride, a part of my life. Arranging a festival is not easy, but we all tried our best to make this fest a grand success. I thank all the debaters and adjudicators for being a part of our debate festival. This club has always been a great platform for debates. We hope to continue this journey of success with all our members and debaters.
Wahida Jafar
Moderator, Viqarunnisa Noon Debating Club
Viqarunnisa Noon Debating Club has always been a legendary name in the field of debate. This year, the theme of our festival was ‘a borderless world’. I am both happy and delighted to see the new generation of debaters. They’re all so well-learned and good speakers. I congratulate all the winners and thank everyone for being a part of this festival.
Photos: Debaroti Roy Chowdhury