A total of eight children's teams, 19 school teams and 32 teams of different clubs are participating in the parliamentary English debate competition on the topic "The world has lost its glory, let's start a brand new story."

Prof Imtiaz Ahmed of International Relations Department of Dhaka University inaugurated the competition jointly organised by Viqarunnisa Noon Debating Club (VDC) and The Daily Star.

Syed Badrul Ahsan, editor, Current Affairs, The Daily Star, Ambia Khatun, head of Mathematics department, Rokeya Akhter Begum, head of Physics department, Shamim Jahan Ahsan, moderator of VDC and Marzia Hoque Tania, president of VDC, also spoke on the occasion.

Prof Imtiaz said debate is intensely related to dialogue, it leads to logical ideas and both greatly influence flourishing civilisation.

He advised students to follow a three-letter strategy while debating CIA, as he elaborated these letters as Critical, Informative and Articulated respectively.

Syed Badrul Ahsan said debate can play a very important role in sharpening the sense of fact and logic.

He wished every success of the competition.

The prize giving and closing ceremony of the competition will be held on July 1.