B.D.M. International hosted the ‘Draupadi Devi Khaitan Memorial Interschool debate’, 2024
“You don’t win a debate by suppressing discussion; you win it with a better argument.”- Frank Sonnenberg
B.D.M. International hosted the Draupadi Devi Khaitan Memorial Interschool Debate, 2024 on 16th August at the school auditorium. This annual event was organized in the memory of Late Smt. Draupadi Devi Khaitan, the founder of the school.
The auspicious occasion commenced with the lighting of the lamp, followed by the felicitation of the guests. The welcome address by the principal, Ms. Madhumita Sengupta set the tone of the debate.
The Motion of the House was ‘Single gender schools are better than coeducational schools’
Dr. Suman K Mukherjee, Director General of Bhawanipur Education Society College was the revered Chief guest for this momentous event. His keynote address to the debaters and the audience was truly inspiring and thought-provoking.
Ms. Hilda Peacock, the renowned educationist and the former Principal at La Martiniere for Girls was the Moderator of this grand debate.
The panel of judges included Professor Shabina Nishat Omar, Head of the Department of English, Acharya Jagdish Chandra Bose College;
Ms. Debjani Banerji, founder of ‘The Seeking Mind’, and Mr. Suprovo Tagore, a professional theatre practitioner and arts entrepreneur. The luminary presence of all these dignitaries made the occasion all the more illustrious.
It was indeed a battle of wits and words.
The participants were from nine distinguished educational institutions viz. Delhi Public School, Ruby Park, Kolkata, Gokhale Memorial Girls’ High School, Indus Valley World School, La Martiniere for Girls, Ruby Park Public School, South Point High School, St. Xavier’s Collegiate School, The BSS School and BDM International.
At the end of the event, the judges shared their views, thoughts, and feedback about the debate in general. Professor Shabina Nishat Omar shared her insightful observations with all the debaters at the end of the debate.
The session was a kaleidoscope of opinions, thoughts, and perspectives that kept the audience enthralled. All the participants presented their arguments with conviction and clarity.
The final results were:
ST. XAVIER’S COLLEGIATE SCHOOL was adjudged the Winning Team.
Three (3) schools jointly secured the Runner-Up position:
1. DPS RUBY PARK KOLKATA
2. LA MARTINIERE FOR GIRLS
3. B.D.M. INTERNATIONAL
Rolling Trophies and Certificates of Merit were awarded to the winning teams.
DEBAYAN PATHAK- ST. XAVIER’S COLLEGIATE SCHOOL was declared to be the Best Speaker (For the motion)
ANIMIKH CHATTERJEE – ST. XAVIER’S COLLEGIATE SCHOOL was declared the Best Speaker (Against the motion).
Trophies and Certificates of Merit were handed over to them for their exemplary performance.
Each debater was given a certificate of participation to acknowledge his or her active contribution.
