Akshat Padha of GGM Science College bags first prize

The Tribune inter-college debate contest

Tribune News Service
Jammu, February 12

Akshat Padha of Government Gandhi Memorial (GGM) Science College, Jammu, clinched first position in the inter-college debate competition organised by The Tribune on the topic, “Is India facing an economic slowdown” at the auditorium of Government College for Women (GCW), Gandhi Nagar, on Wednesday.

The second prize was bagged by Mehar Fatima of GCW Parade, while Aryan Ajay Sen of Government MAM College settled for the third prize.

Akshit Rana of Government MAM College, Jammu, Kaneez Fatima from GCW, Gandhi Nagar, and Areeha Malik from MBS College of Engineering bagged consolation prizes.

Apart from clinching the first prize, GGM Science College was also adjudged the best college in the debate competition.

Farooq Khan, Adviser to the Lieutenant Governor, was the chief guest at the event, while the Vice- Chancellor, Cluster University of Jammu, Professor Anju Bhasin, was the guest of honour.

A total of 14 participants from seven different colleges of Jammu participated in the contest and expressed their views in favour and against the topic. Exhibiting excellent oratory skills, content and statistical figures, the participants made their views with utmost confidence to convince the judges about their viewpoint on the present Indian economy.

Each debater was allotted three-minutes to express his/her opinion.

The participating colleges in the competition were — Government MAM College Jammu, GCW Gandhi Nagar, GCW Parade, Government SPMR College of Commerce, GGM Science College, Trikuta Degree College and MBS College of Engineering.

The winner of the debate competition received a cash prize of Rs 5,000. First runner-up and the second runner-up in the contest were given cash prizes of Rs 4,000 and 2,500, respectively. Three consolation prize winners received a cash prize of Rs 1,500 each. The best school received a cash prize of Rs 2,500, apart from certificates of merit and mementos.

Audiences mostly comprising students encouraged the participants with repeated applause. It was a tough call for Judges Dr Shaveta Kohli, Assistant Professor in the Department of Economic, Central University Jammu and Dr Shallu Sehgal, Senior Assistant Professor, Department of Economics, University of Jammu, to declare the winners as each participant had expressed their views vehemently in favour and against the topic.

In his concluding remarks, Senior Resident Editor Arun Joshi thanked the Adviser to Lieutenant-Governor Farooq Khan, Vice-Chancellor Cluster University, Prof Anju Bhasin, GCW, Gandhi Nagar, Principal Dr Ravinder Tikku and judges of the contest, Dr Shaveta Kohli and Dr Shallu Sehgal.

He said The Tribune always sought to provide a platform to students. “Our students are very talented and we are providing a platform to them through these debates”, he said.

Joshi said although it was often said that economic slowdown was just a phase which would pass, yet ‘the planners must not sit and watch but we must take corrective steps’.

Earlier, Dr Ravinder Tickoo, Principal, GCW, Gandhi Nagar, welcomed the dignitaries, participants, teachers and students. Proceedings of the programme were brilliantly conducted by Ivanka Raman and Japneet Kour, students of GCW, Gandhi Nagar.

14 students take part from 7 colleges

A total of 14 participants from seven different colleges of Jammu participated in the contest and expressed their views in favour and against the topic. Exhibiting excellent oratory skills, content and statistical figures, the participants made their views with utmost confidence to convince the judges about their viewpoint on the present Indian economy.

Participant colleges

The participating colleges in the competition were Government MAM College Jammu, GCW Gandhi Nagar, GCW Parade, Government SPMR College of Commerce, GGM Science College, Trikuta Degree College and MBS College of Engineering.

‘Is India facing an economic slowdown’

Due to the ongoing economic slowdown, India’s GDP has gone low in the last 42 years. — Kaneez Fatima, GCW, Gandhi Nagar, (in favour)

Indian economy is reviving from the slowdown. It happened with other countries like China and Russia in the past. — Aryan Ajay Sen government MAM college (against)

India is crashed to poor 4.5 per cent of the GDP. It is high time that the Prime Minister addressed economic concerns. — Areeha Malik, MBS college of engineering (in favour)

India is the fastest growing economy and will strengthen further in future. — Aarya Bargotra, GCW, Gandhi Nagar, (against)

Due to the economic slowdown unemployment rate is highest at present. The GDP collection too fell short by Rs 3 lakh crore. — Akshat Padha, GGM Science college, (in favour)

India is becoming an emerging market with huge potential. Our country is having the fifth largest economy in the world. — Ria Gupta, Govt SPMR college of Commerce, (against)

The present economic slowdown in the country is here to stay for a long time. Private investments are at their low. — Meher Fatima, GCW, Parade, (in favour)

India is not facing any economic slowdown. It is not a recession, not even close to it. — Simran Kour, MBS college of Engineering, (against)

Poor quality economic growth is enough sign of economic slowdown in the country. Industries are also complaining about the poor economy. — Rohit Singh, Trikuta Degree college, (in favour)

There is global slowdown. Indian economy is strong enough as compared to other countries. — Akanksha Sharma, GGM science college, (against)

Indian economy is under logjam. Many industrial sectors are ailing at present, especially the automobile sector. — Shafiya Mushtaq, Govt SPMR college of Commerce, (in favour)

India’s economy has been strengthened over the past few years due to NITI Ayog’s innovative policies. — Akashdeep, Trikuta degree college (against)

Due to the prevailing economic slowdown, there is no increase in the investment rate. Small industrial units are closing at a rapid pace. — Akshit Rana, Government MAM college, (in favour)

The present economic slowdown is only cyclical in nature. — Hivreen Kour, GCW, Parade (against)