DPS Budgam holds inter-school English debate
Srinagar: Delhi Public School (DPS) Budgam on Saturday organised an inter-school English debate competition for class 9th and 10th students.
The topic of the debate was ‘Book smart is better than street smart.’
One student group from the participating schools spoke in favour of the top while another group was speaking against the motion.
During the debate, the passion, determination and confidence was visible on the faces of the participants and it was a neck to neck competition between the two groups.
Students from both the groups kept the audience glued to their chairs while debating and arguing on the topic.
The debate was a kaleidoscope of opinions, thoughts, ideas and perspectives that enhanced the perspective of the audience and participants about the importance of books and street smartness.
Each contestant presented their views with confidence, clarity of thoughts and perfect voice modulation.
The participating schools included Delhi Public School (DPS) Budgam, DPS Srinagar, Tyndale Biscoe School, Mallinson Girls School, Kashmir Valley School, Doon International School, Green Valley Educational Institute (GVEI) and Police Public School Srinagar.
The event was organised to enable the participants to boost their confidence, develop critical thinking and encourage the ability to communicate in any situation. This developed deep understanding among the audience too.
Former Director Radio Kashmir, Freelance journalist and media trainer Syed Humayun Qaiser was the Chief Guest of the event.
The jury members included Director Wilmet School Srinagar Mehfooz Aslam, Special Correspondent Greater Kashmir newspaper Syed Rizwan Geelani and Director Softfinn Solutions Srinagar Shahid Khan.
Pro Vice Chancellor (VC) DPS Budgam Mumtaz-un-Nisa Soz and Principal DPS Budgam Shobhna Sirohi were also present at the occasion.
The debate consisted of two rounds. During the first round, the participants spoke eloquently for the motion or against the motion justifying their argument.
The second round of the debate was the Rebuttal Round wherein the participants argued on their views while answering the queries raised by the opponent team. The round was the main allurement of the event.
After the culmination of the second round, the Kashmir Valley School Humhama was declared as winner of the competition while Tyndale Biscoe School Srinagar was declared as runner-up (second best) team.
The award of best speaker was bagged by Hamza Wani of Kashmir Valley School while Babar Hanief of the same school was presented a book by the Chief Guest.
Syed Humayun Qaiser in his address appreciated the efforts of the school and presentation of the views by the participants.
“The debate is not all about what you say but how you say it,” he said.
Speaking at the occasion, Mehfooz Aslam encouraged all the participants and said that DPS Budgam is an ethos, a legacy that will continue to provide the best to the society in terms of education and ethics.
Other members of the jury, Syed Rizwan Geelani and Shahid Khan boosted the morale of debaters and asserted the importance of this kind of exposure in the current scenario of the tech-savvy world.
Principal DPS Budgam Shobhna Sirohi in her address extended her gratitude to the chief guest, jury members, Pro VC DPS Budgam and all the participating schools for making the event successful.
“Books are basically a bridge between intellect and experience. Street smarts should read books and book smarts should gain street smartness,” she said.
KV News
