Regular Assemblies

“Freedom is hammered out on the anvil of discussion, dissent and debate.” - Hubert H. Humphrey

The English Debating Society of Delhi Public School, Mathura Road endeavours to provide the students a platform to step forth and explicate their perspectives through utilising rhetorical articulacy. It has helped students learn to synthesise wide bodies of complex information, and to exercise creativity and implement different ways of knowing.

Keeping up with the tradition, The English Debating Society organised its 48th Amala Chatterjee Memorial Inter-School English Debate for the students of Class VIII on 20 January 2023. The motion before the house was, ‘Technology is Changing People for the Better’ to which the young debaters could relate personally. The event saw enthusiastic participation from 13 distinguished schools in and around Delhi. The event witnessed an ebullient exchange of opinions and views.

The event saw an assemblage of eminent judges such as Ms Kalyanee Rajan, Assistant Professor of English, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Evening College, University of Delhi; Mr. Amit Arora, Journalist, Newsreader, Anchor, Radio Jockey, Quiz Master and an illustrious Commentator and Dr Aahana B. Chopra, Assistant Professor, Department of Multimedia and Mass Communication, Indraprastha College for Women, University of Delhi.

The event commenced with the lighting of the ceremonial lamp followed by a presentation on how technology has been rapidly changing and expanding in every field imaginable.

The school Principal, Ms Reema Sharma and Vice Principal (Academics), Ms Monica Sahni felicitated the dignitaries.

Following this, the Principal addressed the gathering. In her speech, she highlighted that technology has introduced revolutionary changes in all areas of life. She also called attention to the fact that students are faced with changes that not only fundamentally alter the way they learn, but their everyday life as well; it is simply impossible to disregard the tremendous impact that modern technologies have on new generations of students.

To begin with, the participants spoke their mind on the rationale for, ‘Technology is Changing People for the Better’. They emphasised that technology has made our life so easy and has given us so many facilities, which we could never have imagined before. With the help of technology, it has been possible to make new devices and make new discoveries. Unsurprisingly, this led to an array of contrasting views like-increased dependency on modern tools and applications like calculators and spelling checkers have reduced creativity. This affected the way we use our brains. Also, depending on machines and modern transportation put people at a distinct disadvantage, because they became less self-reliant.

The panel of judges, Ms Kalyanee Rajan, Mr Amit Arora and Dr Aahana B. Chopra addressed the gathering and lauded the intensity and intelligence of the speakers. They also gave the debaters an insight into how they might improve and develop intellectually.

Following this was the Prize Distribution Ceremony. The award for the best speaker was bagged by Ananya Singh of Modern School, Barakhamba Road. Siddhant Sharma of DPS Rohini secured the second position and the third position was bagged by Avani Mishra of DPS, Mathura Road. Anmol Dang of Springdales, Pusa Road and Anvi Gupta of DPS, Mathura Road were declared the best interjectors.

The rolling trophy was awarded to Parthavi Gogoi and Siddhant Sharma of DPS Rohini in recognition of their outstanding performance.

The Head of the Department of English of DPS Mathura Road, Ms Manisha Varma proposed the vote of thanks. She applauded the research done by all the speakers and congratulated the winners. She thanked the judges for sparing their valuable time. She commended all the students of the Debating Club and teachers for their endeavours to make the event a great success. The national anthem brought a closure to the spectacular event.