NURUL ISLAM LASKAR

The Annual Rural Inter School Debate Competition that is held at Goroimari in Kamrup Rural District every year enters into its fifth year in 2018. The event keenly awaited by debate enthusiasts from Goroimari and adjacent areas will take place on Saturday January 27 this year.

The debate has always generated a lot of heat as the topics chosen over the years have been very current and issues of concern to the country. The past topics were – Rural life is better than urban life (2014), Population is a boon for India (2015), Social media is beneficial for students (2016), and Politicians are taking India backward (2017).

Keeping in view the present government’s focus on “Make in India” initiative, the topic for the current year’s debate has been selected as “Made in India products are better than foreign products.” Incidentally, The Make in India initiative was launched by Prime Minister in September 2014 as part of a wider set of nation-building initiatives. While preparing for this year’s debate, the participants would be able to have a better understanding of India’s present day economics while the audience at the programme will return home richer with better understanding of the Government’s scheme.

This year’s debate is being organised by the “Stars of North East” (SoNE) and hosted by Al Ameen Islamic Model School, Goroimari. The SoNE is a group of professionals, mostly youngsters, who are engaged in unearthing, mentoring, nurturing, and showcasing of talents across the North Eastern region.

The notable recent projects undertaken by SoNE include programmes for felicitation of young achievers, conducting career guidance and skills training among youngsters, helping the differently abled sections of the society, and organising motivational sessions for the students of remote and interior areas of the North East. One outstanding project undertaken by SoNE was the “Secret Santa Mission” in which members fanned out to the streets of Guwahati in the midnight of Christmas eve and covered with blankets destitute who were sleeping on the streets without a cover on them.

This year’s debate competition is also being supported by Exclusive Advertising Pvt Ltd, Rahman Hospitals, RA SciTech Solutions, Resonance Brand Communications, Tangent PR, and Unity Education Foundation.

On the sidelines of the Debate Competition, Rahmat Ullah, retired Principal of Sontoli Higher Secondary School, will be given the “Star Honour” for his lifetime contribution to the cause of education and youth empowerment in Kamrup Rural District.