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Notre Dame College debating competition

Tazmia Islam Nion

Father Benjamin Costa distributing prize while Mr. Mahfuz Anam looks on

With the national election coming up fast, discussion, debate and opinion sharing on 'democracy, freedom and election is going on everywhere in the country.

Notre Dame College Debating Club (NDDC) has brought this subject in a debate competition titled “Prime Bank NDDC 18th National Debate Competition,” held recently.
The theme of the NDDC hosted national debate competition was “Democracy, Freedom, and Election.”

Around 80 teams from across the country participated in the competition that took place from September 14 to 24. For a long time NDDC has been the powerhouse of debate in the country. Renowned scientist Father R.W. Team CSC established the club in 1953.

The inauguration of the competition was held on September 14 with managing director of the Prime Bank Shajahan Bhuiya as the chief guest. Special guests in the opening ceremony were founder moderator of the club Father R.W Team CSC and the vice- principal of the college Father Bakul S Rozerio CSC.

The principal of Notre Dame College Father Benjamin Costa CSC chaired the opening ceremony. The second session of the opening day was “Rommyo Bitarka” and “Talk show”, two unique ways of presenting arguments and placing the opinion that gave the competition a different flavour.

Debaters from all over the country placed their constructive opinions about the present socio-political situation in the country. On September 15 and 16 workshops on English and Bangla debate took place. Prominent debaters of the country directed these workshops. The most important day was on September 17 when debate on the theme topic was held.

The logic and the depth of knowledge and ways of presenting arguments and counter arguments by the young debaters made the debate very lively. No one was ready to let any opinion go unchallenged.

It be came the largest battle of prominent debaters of the country and usually when the name of Notre Dame College comes as the organizer the expectation goes a bit higher. And this college has shown its ability in carrying out the responsibility.

The founding moderator of NDDC said, “I am really impressed by the progress of the club and I am feeling proud of being a part of the club”

The participants included St. Gregorio High School, Motijhil Government Boys High School, Viqarunnisa School, Holly Cross School, Ideal School, Ispahani Girls School, YWCA Girls School, Rajuk Uttara Model School, and others.

The participants of English debate were Manarat International School, Bangladesh International school, European Standard School.

In the inter-college debate competitions the participants were Notre Dame College, Viqarunnisa College, Dhaka College, Rajuk Uttara Model College, Rifles Public College, Residential Model College, and BIAM Model College.

The final was held among St.Gregory High School, Motijhil Government High School, Holly Cross, and YMCA Girls High School. The final was according to the T-format, the own format of Notre Dame debating club.

The first session on the 24th September was followed by “Baroary Bitarka” and the second one was the closing session. Mr. Mahfuz Anam, editor of The Daily Star was present as the chief guest in the closing ceremony.

And the time for the most exciting moment for the winners, the prize giving ceremony....
St. Gregory School was the winner in school level and Motijhil won the prize of runner-up. Notre Dame College (blue) won the competition defeating Viqarunnisa College. And in Bangla Debate of Inter- University the winner team was East- West University while North South University became the runner up.

This year NDDC arranged the 18th successive national competition which is sponsored by the “Prime Bank” and the media partners were “Amar Desh”and “Channel i”.