Feature

Debate in Chittagong 2007:
On a new illuminated way

Adnan mannan

After 2007 we have another new year on the page of our calendar. In 2007 debating events held in Chittagong had some new dimensions and additions. Here debaters talked about democracy, protested against corruption and dreamt of better and brighter days.

The first debate of 2007 was held on the occasion of Reception of Nobel Prize winner, Dr. Md. Yunus. Saint Scholastica school became the champion and Dr. Khastagir School was the runner up in school level. Govt. City College was the champion and Govt. Women's College became the runner up in college level debate. In university level Chittagong University was the Champion and IUB was the runner up. Next, “Procchaya Debate Club” of Premier University, Department of Law organized an Inter-year Debate Competition. Afsana Toma was selected the best debater.

In March, Drishty Ctg. organized a “T-format Inter School Scientific Debate” for the very first time in Chittagong. Collegiate School and Saint Placid's School were the champion and runner up of this competition. After that, “Panthojon” organized a debate workshop. In April, Drishty organized English Debate workshop. After this Drishty organized one of the most gorgeous debates of this year “Aktel-Drishty English Debate championship”. In this debate competition, champions were Cider International School and USTC (University of Science & Technology, Chittagong). William Carey Academy and Chittagong University were runners up teams. In May USTC organized Anti Smoking English Debate competition. Cider International School and Summer Fields School were the champion and runner up teams respectively. IUB also organized an inter department English debate competition.

Debaters were also against corruption. First anti-corruption debate competition of 2007 was organized by Chittagong University Debating Society. Transparency International sponsored this program and it was inaugurated by former advisor of Caretaker Government and Anti Corruption Commission Chairman Hasan Mashud Choudhury. In November, Chittagong Medical College organized an anti corruption debate. Barishal Medical College became the champion in this debate.

Debates in school level were also colorful this year. Mymensing Debate Federation organized an inter school debate competition. The most attractive competition of this year was Mutual Trust Bank-The Daily Star Debate Competition which was organized by Drishty, Chittagong. 32 different schools, colleges and universities participated in this competition. Mahfuz Anam, Editor, The Daily Star, Syed Manjur Elahi former advisor of Caretaker Govt., Samson H. Choudhury, Chairman, Mutual Trust Bank Ltd. were present in this programme. The champion teams were Collegiate School, Haji Mohammad Mohsin College and Chittagong University of Engineering & Technology (CUET). Runners up teams were Silver Bells School, City College and Chittagong University. Drishty also organized debate workshop in June. IUB Debating Society also organized Inter school English debate. Cider International School and Presidency School became champion and runner up respectively in this competition.

Drishty added a new dimension in the debate of Chittagong by organizing Uni-Imperial Debate Genius'07. One Debater took part in different formats of debate in this competition. Judges asked different questions regarding debating. Audiences also gave their vote for genius selection. Tamanna Rashid Tumpa of Dr. Khastagir School was selected Debate Genius'07. Mottakin Chy. from Ctg. Govt. High School and Ehteshamul Islam Rishta from Collegiate School were runner up.