"I believe that the pursuit of truth and right ideas through honest debate and rigorous argument is a noble undertaking."—Charles Krauthammer
On October 19th, 2024, Unity College hosted the prestigious Mushtaq Naqvi Memorial Inter-School Debate Competition. This annual event, a celebrated fixture in the academic calendar, brings together some of the brightest young minds from different schools, offering them a platform to showcase their oratory skills, engage in intellectual debate, and foster cultural exchange.
The competition is generously sponsored by Mr Shahab Hussain, in the loving memory of his uncle, the renowned literary figure Late Mr. Mushtaq Naqvi. The aim of the event is to continue Mr Naqvi’s rich literary legacy and inspire future generations by providing students with a creative platform to express themselves.
The event was graced by the Chief Guest, DrAmmar Rizvi, a distinguished politician and revered educationist. Also in attendance were prominent dignitaries, including Mr Najmul Hasan Rizvi-College Secretary, Dr M Talha-Joint Secretary, Dr S. Kalbe Sibtain Noori-Manager, II Shift, Mr Sachindra Bharti-Vice-Principal and Ms Sabira Taqi a prominent educationalist from UK, specialising in Student Centred Teaching. Also present on the occasion was MrsNaghmaHusain Abidi, the elder sister of Mr Shahab Hussain, along with her son, Yasir Husain Abidi.Principal Mr Deepak Mervyn Mathews extended a warm welcome to all distinguished guests, participating schools, and their escorting teachers.
Eleven leading schools from across the city took part in this keenly contested event, including Delhi Public School Jankipuram, La Martiniere College, Gurukul Academy, Siddharth Public School, St. Teresa's Day School and College, St. Clare’s School, St. Francis College, Raj Kumar Academy, Colvin Taluqdars’ College, Lucknow Public College, and Unity College.
The programme commenced with the soulful recitation of verses from the Quran, Gita, and Bible, symbolising the unity of thought and diversity of culture. Following this, chits were drawn to reveal the topic for the day’s debate: "BEING FRIENDS WITH YOUR CHILDREN IS A FAILED STRATEGY." After a brief preparation period, the participants dived into a thought-provoking discussion.
The debate saw a rigorous exchange of ideas, with participants exploring the pros and cons of a friendship-based parenting approach. On one side, debaters argued that being friends with children fosters open communication and trust. On the other side, critics highlighted the potential for blurred boundaries, which could undermine parental authority and discipline. The debate was marked by eloquent speeches and impassioned arguments, keeping the audience thoroughly engaged.
The most anticipated part of the event was the Rebuttal Round, where debaters rose to defend their viewpoints with unwavering conviction. The back-and-forth of sharp questioning and well-crafted responses showcased the participants' quick thinking and rhetorical skills.
The esteemed panel of judges—Mr Vir Bahadur (Senior English Teacher, APS, SP Marg), Ms ShaliniVaish (Senior English Teacher, Christ Church College), and MrNabeel Khan (Senior English Teacher, CMS, Rajendra Nagar) praised all participants for their brilliant performances. They emphasised that the true value of such competitions lies not in victory but in participation and learning.
After much deliberation, the winners were announced:
- Best Speaker (For the Motion):Sahil Iqbal – Lucknow Public Collegiate
- Best Speaker (Against the Motion):Manasvi Prakash Srivastava – La Martiniere Boys College
- 1st Runner-Up Team:Sahil Iqbal and Zeeshan Anwar – Lucknow Public Collegiate
- 2nd Runner-Up Team:Shipra Yadav and Shubhi Prakash – DPS, Jankipuram
- Best Teams:YashVardhan Singh and Manasvi Yadav – La Martiniere College &Tuba Ahmad and Razia Fatima – Unity College
The winners were awarded cash vouchers, while the Best Team received the coveted trophy.
In his address, DrAmmar Rizvi paid heartfelt tribute to the College Founder, (Late) Dr Kalbe Sadiq, for his unwavering dedication to education, employment, and the empowerment of youth. He underscored the significance of education in all faiths, stating that no religion promotes violence, and emphasised the need for developing strong communication skills among students. He congratulated all the debaters for their spirited performances and extended his gratitude to the organisers, judges, and participants for their efforts in making the event a resounding success.
The event concluded on a high note, with participants and guests standing united for the National Anthem, marking the end of a day filled with spirited debate, intellectual growth, and camaraderie.
