Feature

What was it about? Was it about those brainstorming prep-times for substantial strategy developments? Was it about thrashing or heckling the opponents at the dias? Or was it about the instant wrap-ups that ended in weirdest fragments during time-constraints? Seriously, what was it all about? For all my readers who are absolutely buzzed with these questions hitting your mind, and probably already started flipping the page over with a yawn, you might as well take a few seconds to gape, when I say that no it's not about any of those things, it's all about Bangladesh creating a record at the WORLDS debating championship 2008. Yes, two students from North South University, Sinha Ibne Humayun and Naim Kashem, have marked the name of Bangladesh at the debating platform that is internationally recognized and considered the largest debating tournament, popularly known as “WORLDS”. They earned the distinction to be the first ever Bangladeshi team to qualify at the octo-finals.

I had an opportunity to have a little chitchat with Sinha Ibne Humayun, the participant of the breaking team at WORLDS 2008. Let's take a quick look at his debating portfolio- He has an individual score of 631 at WORLDS ,he has been a participant of breaking team at "Rhetoric 07", organized by University of Delhi; He broke at "Bangladesh Open 2007" organized by Islamic University of Technology; He also broke at All Asian Inter-Varsity Debating Championship, organized by Chung Aug University, South Korea and was listed as one of the top 16 adjudicators of the tournament.

“My instant reaction hearing we broke was disbelief and absolute hatred on the joke. Because there was no way I had missed such an announcement (not that I was expecting). Later I got to know there was a tab mishap and that is why our names were not announced in the breaknight. And before I got to catch my sense, I was embarrassed with greetings and love, but the most valued wishes were from my mentors, Sarajit Baral and Zunaed Rabbani, fortunately who were there in Thailand to observe this in person.” Citing about the origin of his debating career, Sinha says “I was initially very dubious about debating. However, I had the opportunity to see numerous debates of the then legendary NSU debaters such as Mahfuz Sadique, Asif Newaz, Zunaed Rabbani, Safwan Ahsan and Sarajit Baral. Their magnificence in the sport motivated a debater out of me. I consider debate as a very dear hobby of mine and I believe I have been successful in dedicating myself to my hobby up to a huge extent.”

Adverting on the contribution of mentors of his debating career, Sinha Ibne Humayun stated, “Whatever I am as a debater today, links back to four of my mentors- Firstly, Khandakar Zunaed Rabbani, someone who had consistently contributed to the debating fraternity of Bangladesh since he was in school; His motivation and teachings of debate helped me and many other debaters of NSU. Secondly, Asif Newaz, I did my first debate with him and realized what an amateur debater I was (and still is!!!) in comparison with the Ultimate Legend Asif Newaz. Thirdly, Safwan Ahsan, one of the most brilliant minds around and a fierce presenter back in his days. His sense of aggression was a very inspiring and encouraging thing for me when I started. And last but most obviously not the least, is the person who single handedly taught me debate. Someone who has spent his precious time and energy to show me the beauty and glamour of debate- Sarajit Baral my mentor and my guru. And most significantly, I will take the chance to thank the two magnificent individuals who have always been my strength in debate and in life, my mother Mariam Begum and my father Retd. Lt.Col. Humayun Kabir. Both of the amazing individuals have a strong passion for debates themselves and have always encouraged my liking for debate.”

Sinha Ibne Humayun is currently working as the full time trainer for debate at "Academia School" and organizing training workshops for young children. He spared some words of wisdom for the booming debaters, “You are the newer and fresher vibe in the society and you have the responsibility to exhibit your potential and establish your existence as brilliant young minds. And a fantastic way of doing is to Debate. A debater armed with the skills of precise and quality logic is powerful enough to convince an entire society. It is a stimulating sport which enhances the critical and constructive argumentation of each and every individual. So, debate and have fun. It's not as geeky as it looks, trust me on this. So, keep on debating; because debate is - the disengagement of destruction and disillusion.”