"As the echoes of our arguments fade in the mountain valleys, we leave, knowing that the heights of our ideas will forever resonate."
On 6th of September, a team consisting of two debaters- Shreya Parakh & Piya Salecha, a researcher - Avantika Mishra with their accompanying teacher, Ms Reena Mishra embarked from the gates of RKK on a journey to Pinegrove School, Solan, Himachal Pradesh. As the morning sun of the 7th September welcomed us, we were greeted by the breath taking sight of Solan's lush green mountains, setting the stage for our participation in the prestigious 6th Mohinder Memorial Bilingual Turncoat Debate. This event brought together renowned schools such as RIMC Dehradun, Emerald Heights International School, Indore, Vidya Devi Jindal School Hisar, PGS, Solan, RKKGPS, Jodhpur, and many others. The Preliminary round divided participants into two pools: Pool A and Pool B. In the evening, the draw of lots determined the speaking order for the participants, while the escort teachers revealed the topics. For Pool A, the topic at hand was: “Privatization of industry in India is merely cosmetic in nature”. Meanwhile, in Pool B, the discussion revolved around : “The freedom of expression enshrined in the legislation is virtually non-existent”.
With two hours allotted for research, we diligently prepared for the preliminary round scheduled for the following morning. Our participants performed admirably, securing their spots in the final round. Among the 17 out of 26 contestants who made the cut, both of our RKK debaters earned their places in the finals. The draw of lots for the final round took place that very evening, and the topic for the final round was “The new agricultural reform law in India is an essential step towards agricultural modernization”.
Though, we didn't win the trophy, our debaters left an indelible mark, captivating the audience with their remarkable performances. Engaging in spirited debates amidst picturesque mountain valleys was indeed a feast for the eyes. The majestic peaks served as a backdrop to intellectual exchange, with voices echoing through the valleys. It was a fusion of intellect and nature, reminding us of the power of ideas in the awe-inspiring embrace of the natural world.
