It Is Debatable

“IT IS DEBATABLE”; an inter-department debate event was organized by Athena Literary Club, Department of Languages; on 23 & 24 February 2022. A total of 96 students from various departments and years had registered for the event; out of which 22 teams were selected for Round 1 after auditions.

Round 1 - Opening Speeches

Venue: Parabola.

Dr. A Prabaharan, Head, Student Affairs in the welcome address appreciated Athena Literary Club for being the most active club and congratulated the phenomenal work done by the team. Ms. Mariegold Ruth Gwedolyne, Hindustan's Exam Manager, gave a short synopsis about Cambridge Assessment English and the BEC Exams. They had put a stall to explain the Cambridge Certification course and its relevance. Dr. Akkara Sherine, HOD Languages & Rankings encouraged the students and briefed about the importance of BEC certification and various employment opportunities. Varsha Nair, II Year, BA English and the President of Athena Literary Club, introduced the judges for the day—Ms. Clarisse Rouabah, Assistant Professor, Department of Languages and Dr. Badri, Professor and HoD, School of Management. Dr. Sonu Joseph, Assistant Professor, Department of Languages, explained the rules to the participants in brief. Being the first live event, the participants showed over brimming enthusiasm and enthralled the audience; by stating facts to prove their point: For or Against the Motion. The participants were in teams of their choice- one For and another Against the Motion. After a tough-to-decide battle, a total of 5 teams- 5 For the Motion and 5 Against the Motion; were selected for Round 2.

Round 2 - Rebuttal Round

Venue: Language Lab, Main Building.

Sarah Sam Mathew, II Year, B.Sc. Food Technology and the Vice President of Athena Literary Club, welcomed the audience and briefed the rubrics of the Rebuttal Round to the participants.

Yet again, the participants left the audience awe-struck with the arguments put forth, and thereby justifying their stand. After a tough call, the results were finalized; as there was just a difference of half a point between the winners.

Winners:

Best FOR Speaker- Asish Alex Murikan, I Year, B.Tech. CSE.
Best AGAINST Speaker- Sanjana Hepseiba, I Year, B.Tech. Aerospace Engg.
Best TEAM- Ragesh Shyam and Shawn Verghese, I Years, B.Tech. Aerospace Engg.

Prizes and certificates were distributed to the participants by Dr. Akkara Sherine. The prizes for the winners were sponsored by Cambridge Assessment English. Dr. Badri came forward to put in his views on Censorship. In his brief speech, he said that reality was more uncensored than the media. And added that Censorship could either be a buffet or a balanced diet; and that the decision to choose depended on the individual. Ms. Clarisse too, appreciated the efforts taken by the participants and expressed that this was just the beginning. Ms. Sarah Sam Mathew proposed the vote of thanks.