Chennai College Students Engage in Fiery Debates at Speak For India Zonal Contest
Forty-eight students from colleges in and around Chennai showcased their oratory skills at the zonal-level contest of the Speak For India event on Saturday. The participants, primarily aged between 18 and 25, tackled a diverse range of contemporary topics, including the impact of artificial intelligence in the digital world and the concept of universal basic income.
Event Structure and Topics
Organized as a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative of Federal Bank in association with The Times of India, the competition divided participants into eight batches of six members each. Each batch was assigned the same topic through a lottery system, with members required to argue both for and against the subject. This format encouraged balanced and dynamic discussions.
Key topics that sparked intense debates among the students included:
- The necessity of uniforms in educational institutions
- The waiver of farm loans
- Reservation policies in jobs and education
Participant Perspectives and Aspirations
The event attracted a mix of first-time participants and those who had competed in previous editions, each bringing unique perspectives to the stage. Arjun Krishna, a civil engineering student from Anna University, argued against universal basic income. As a debutant, he remarked, "As a first-time participant, I feel the competition is intense. The cash award is very tempting. If I win, I'll use the money to fund my start-up, which aims to provide a hassle-free platform for students looking to go abroad."
In contrast, repeat participants appeared more composed. M S H Aysha Mubashara, a student of Stella Maris College and a finalist in the 2023-24 edition, shared, "I will give my best. I want to make use of the opportunity to hone my oratory skills." Her experience highlighted the event's role in fostering continuous personal and professional development.
Competition Progression and Prizes
Earlier in the week, similar zonal-level contests were conducted in Salem, Madurai, and Trichy, with online auditions currently ongoing across the state. From these rounds, a total of 32 candidates will be selected to advance to the semi-finals, which will be held offline. The stakes are high, with significant cash prizes at offer:
- The winner will receive a cash prize of ₹2.5 lakh
- The runner-up will be awarded ₹1.5 lakh
- Six other finalists will each win ₹50,000
This competitive structure not only motivates participants but also underscores the event's commitment to nurturing young talent in public speaking and critical thinking.
