Speak for India Zonal Competition Launches in Madurai with Student Debates
The zonal-level edition of the prestigious Speak for India contest officially began its proceedings at Solamalai College of Engineering in Madurai on Wednesday. This event marks a significant platform for collegiate students to engage in meaningful discourse on pressing contemporary issues.
Diverse Topics and Enthusiastic Participation
Participants from numerous educational institutions across the region delivered speeches covering a wide spectrum of relevant subjects, including economic policies, poverty eradication measures, and the transformative impact of artificial intelligence in modern society. The competition witnessed enthusiastic responses from students who presented varied perspectives and constructed thought-provoking arguments during their presentations.
One notable participant, Anushree Mohanram from Thiagarajar College of Engineering, expressed her appreciation for the platform, stating: "This was a really good platform for me to enhance my public speaking skills. I see my peers from various colleges; many of them come up with unique points. It is a really good opportunity to learn, and all the topics that are given to us are updated, very current, and relevant."
Educational Benefits Beyond Curriculum
J Etana Charis Liana, a student from Santosh College of Physiotherapy, highlighted how the contest expanded her knowledge beyond her academic specialization. This marked her second participation in Speak for India, and she remarked: "Many of the topics they give us are apart from my subject of learning. I learn a lot beyond my scope of education. For instance, after participating in the contest, I learnt many concepts of economics which I wouldn't have learnt otherwise."
Another participant, Bhavani M from the same institution, echoed similar sentiments about the educational value of the competition. She delivered her speech in Tamil and emphasized the importance of linguistic inclusion: "The inclusion of both English and Tamil enabled more students like myself to participate. Learning begins right at the preparation stage. I tend to cover various fields just to prepare for the contest. It is a good learning experience."
About Speak for India Initiative
Speak for India represents a corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative launched by Federal Bank in 2014. This program provides students with a structured platform to articulate their viewpoints on diverse subjects while simultaneously honing their public speaking abilities and critical thinking skills. The event is organized in collaboration with The Times of India, bringing together educational institutions and media partners to foster youth engagement in societal discourse.
