GYDC 2010 Edition : The REVIEW

[PHOTO: The winner Megha (center) flanked by the two judges, Prof B K Kumar (left) and Mr. Abhishek Bajaj (right)]

“It is better to debate a question without settling it than to settle a question without debating it.” Said the French essayist, Joseph Joubert. These words are the essence of the Global Youth Debate Conclave initiative from IIPM, Bangalore stands for. After hosting two successful editions in 2007 and 2008, the GYDC was back in 2010 with the theme ‘Shifting Sands – The Times they are A changin’. And with participants from southern India as well as a participant from Tanzania, there was a lot of variety and enthusiasm on offer.

From the initial 18, 12 speakers advanced to the team face off which was spread over three topics (1. ‘Clean Energy: A myth or reality, 2. Liberal societies can never be terror free and 3. Urbanization is the key to development). They were drawn into teams and it was the team of Megha (from Rajagiri Institute of Mgmt Studies, Kerala) and Shreesho (from Jain University) who outshone the others to win the team face off. While Megha presented a balanced and powerful assessment of why developing clean energy would be a challenge, Shreesho presented an earnest appeal of trying to better utilize the resources we have. They tackled the cross examination well to end up winners while the team of Bina and Archana were the runners up (topic: Liberal societies can never be terror free – Affirmative) and Awadesh and Kahela (our international participant from Tanzania) were the second runners up.

In the individual showdown on the final day (topic: As a society, we should be sending an unambiguous sign that no individual or family should be allowed to accumulate unlimited wealth), it was Megha who performed superbly again blending in facts and anecdotes like a seasoned debater and walking away with the honours as the winner of Global Youth Debate Conclave 2010. She impressed the judges, Prof. B K Kumar (Sr. faculty, IIPM) and Mr. Abhishek Bajaj (Sr. PR Consulatant, Brand Comm) with her deft handling of questions. Exchange of ideas, new friendships, networking among the youth are all things that the GYDC aims for and it was present in huge measure this year. Team GYDC would like to thank everyone associated with the event and till we meet again next year, keep the debating spark alive! After all like Margaret Thatcher had said – “I love argument, I love debate. I don't expect anyone just to sit there and agree with me, that's not their job.” That’s precisely what we stand for.

Warm Regards
Prof. Tareque Laskar
Tournament Director
GYDC
Sr. Program Manager
IIPM, Bangalore