Feature

1st Regional Debate Workshop in Rangpur

Dr. Kudrat- A- Elahi and Mamun Abdul Kaioum

DEBATE is an art, based on which people can build a logic-friendly world as well as learn good speech. Students of the northern region get lesser opportunities to learn about debate or logic structurally. In this perspective with the slogan of 'Juktir Joyare Andolito Hok Uttar Janapad' Rangpur Debate Federation (RDF) in association with National Debate Federation Bangladesh (NDF BD) organised a day-long workshop on debate on 7th August.

The programme was held in Rangpur Zilla Parisad community center with more than 500 school and college level students. The workshop was supported by Rangpur Hypertension Center, a voluntary organisation. The venue had also become a place for social interaction for the students. Rangpur Begum Rokeya Govt. College, Rangpur Medical College, Rangpur Dental College, Rangpur Carmichael college, Rangpur Bitorka Parishad, Prismet, Sayedpur Cantonment Public School and College, Bogra Cantonment Public School & College, Kurigram Govt. College, Rangpur Zilla School, Rangpur Collectorate School, Boruahat TBM School, Rangpur RCCI School , Rangpur Govt. College, Dinajpur Govt. College, Lalmonirhat College, Gaibandha High School among other institutions participated in the daylong programme.

The programme started with a colourful procession. It was inaugurated by the opening session chief guest and eminent writer and poet Prof. Alim Uddin. NDF BD chairman AKM Shoaib and Director General M Safayet Hossain and a 25 member NDF BD team from all over Bangladesh were also present in the rally.

Founder president of Rangpur Hypertension center, and Rangpur Medical College Medicine Department Head Prof. Md. Zakir Hossain, Rangpur Sahitto- Sanskrity Parishad President Dr. Mafizul Islam, Co-Chairman of National Debate Federation Bangladesh Dr. Kudrat-A- Elahi, Rangpur Debate Federation, General Secretary Md. Azharul Islam spoke as special guests in the opening session. The speakers urged all the students to learn debate as an extra curricular activity for professional development. They also thanked NDF BD and Hypertension centre for supporting the largest debate workshop in Rangpur region .The programme was presided over by National Debate Federation Bangladesh (NDF BD) chairman AKM Shoaib.

After the opening session an hour-long workshop was held on parliamentary debate with its rules and regulations. Assistant Commissioner of Rajshahi and adviser of NDF BD Rajeeb Sarker conducted the workshop on parliamentary debate. There was also a parliamentary format model debate to impart practical conception to the students. Six students of several public and private universities debated on the topic “Akash sonskritir bapok onoprobesh amader sonskritir jonno humki shorup”. Director General of NDF BD M Safayet Hossain participated in the session as speaker of the parliament.

Then there was a public speaking competition on the topic ''Thakto jodi amar hate akta jadur pencil”. Around 29 students from several institutions of Rangpur region attended the competition. After that 'Plan Chat debate' (where soul of several dead bodies debate), an interesting model debate was held.

The workshop concluded through the closing session and prize giving ceremony. In the closing session Rangpur Begum Rokeya University Vice Chancellor Prof. M.A Jalil Miah was present as the chief guest. Rangpur Additional District Commissioner (Gen) Kallal Kumar Chakrabortty, Begum Rokeya Forum Secretary and Deputy Managing Director Rangpur Dental College Asraful Alam Al-Amin, Rangpur Debate Federation Chairman Shah Md. Rezaul Islam, Director General NDF BD M Safayet Hossain were present as special guests in the session. The session was also presided over by National Debate Federation Bangladesh Chairman AKM Shoaib.

Bogra Cantonment Public School achieved best school award-2009 in the debate while Rangpur Begum Rokeya Govt College achieved best college prize in the programme.

(Dr. Kudrat- A- Elahi is adviser of Rangpur Debate Federation and Co-Chairman National Debate Federation Bangladesh (NDF BD).