35th Maharaja Judha Shumshere Memorial Inter-School English Debate 2024
On 17th August 2024— The prestigious 35th Maharaja Judha Shumshere Memorial InterSchool English Debate 2024 was held with great enthusiasm and fervour. The event was graced
by the presence of the esteemed Guest of Honour, Ms. Madhu Gurung, who set the tone for
the intellectually stimulating day. The panel of judges, consisting of Mr. Bidyut Bose, Ms.
Indrani Pandhi, and Ms. Reena Godi, brought their vast experience and knowledge to the
debate, ensuring a fair and thorough evaluation of the participants.
The debate saw fierce competition among the best minds from various esteemed institutions.
The participating schools included The Doon School, Wynberg Allen, St. Joseph’s Academy, St.
Thomas College, Ann Mary School, Grace Academy, Tons Bridge School, Summer Valley School,
Asian School, Heritage School, Hilton School, Seven Oaks School, and Shigally Hills
International Academy.
The topic of the Debate was “It is better bending than risk breaking”. This year’s competition
featured an Extempore Debate in the Oxford format, challenging the students to think on their
feet and present their arguments with clarity and precision.
The programme commenced with a warm welcome and the presentation of bouquets,
followed by the lighting of the ceremonial lamp, symbolising the illumination of knowledge
and wisdom. The debate then unfolded, showcasing the participants’ eloquence, reasoning,
and debating skills. Following the intense debating sessions, the Guest of Honour, Madhu
Gurung, delivered an inspiring speech, emphasising the importance of critical thinking and
articulate expression in today’s world. The judges then provided their insightful feedback,
further enriching the learning experience for all attendees.
Adding a touch of culture and entertainment, the school choir performed the uplifting song
“We Weren’t Born to Follow” and a western dance performance featured a fusion of various
songs, leaving the audience enthralled. As the event drew to a close, mementos were
presented to the dignitaries by the Director Mrs. Sonam Rana and Principal Mr. Samuel
Jaideep as a gesture of gratitude for their invaluable contribution. The much-anticipated
declaration of results followed, recognising the outstanding talents of the debaters.
The winners were as follows:
Best Speaker: Anindita P.S. Bist of St. Joseph’s Academy and Aadi Uniyal of Grace Academy
Second Best Speaker: Aryaman Bhatia of St. Joseph’s Academy
Third Best Speaker: Manvi Malik of The Asian School
Best Rebuttal For: Anindita P.S. Bist of St. Joseph’s Academy and Aadi Uniyal of Grace Academy
Best Rebuttal Against: Soham Chhabra of Ann Mary School
Winning School: St. Joseph’s Academy
The Principal Mr. Samuel Jaideep concluded the event with an address and a vote of thanks,
expressing gratitude to all who contributed to the success of the debate
