The GREAT Debate in Kolkata

 

The British Deputy High Commission in association with the Jadavpur University Debating Society held the Kolkata chapter of ‘The GREAT Debate’ competition today at the Gandhi Bhawan of the Jadavpur University campus.

Kolkata’s top colleges and universities participated in the debate, including Presidency, St.Xaviers’ College, Calcutta University, Loreto, Amity University, Heritage Group of Institutions, Techno India Group of Institutions, JIS Group of Institutions, Scottish Church College, Hazra Law College, NUJS, Gokhale, Sri Shikshayatan, Bhowanipore Education Society, ILead and ISERK. These institutions fielded 42 teams for The GREAT Debate.

The theme of the Kolkata chapter of the Debate this year was ‘Skills, Entrepreneurship and the Youth.’ Both the preliminary and the final rounds saw enthusiasm and debating skills were at the fore with young people tackling complex issues with innovative arguments.

The GREAT Debate is a unique opportunity to celebrate the UK and India’s shared culture of vibrant discussion and debate. Organised by the British High Commission, the GREAT Debate competition this year is being held across the country. Apart from Kolkata, the GREAT Debate is being held in Vizag, Jaipur, Hyderabad, Bhopal, Chandigarh, Dehradun and New Delhi.

 

Mr Bruce Bucknell, the British Deputy High Commissioner, Ms Sujata Sen, CEO of Future Hope India, and Prof Mallar Ray, IIEST Shibpur, were the judges for the GREAT Debate. Speaking on the occasion, Mr Bucknell said: ‘Debate is alive and well in India.  From the CPM to the Sangh Parivar, from Arnab Goswami to the students of JU, debate is often loud, chaotic and trivial.  But there is debate.  And out of debate and argument comes critical thinking without which democracy cannot flourish. I was delighted to see the participants in the GREAT debate in Kolkata enjoy their chance to test their debating skills.’

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