Thrilling debate by former runners-up gets the ball rolling at Speak for India

Bengaluru: An electrifying debate was under way on stage. Two former runners-up of ‘Speak for India-Karnataka’ were locking horns on whether social media influencers are reliable. The high-pitched arguments, fiery counters and breathless comebacks received deafening applause in the packed auditorium at Kristu Jayanti College Thursday. The audience was getting a taste of what Speak for India edition 7 was going to be like. On the podium were Kirankumar V, the 2019 runner-up who spoke for the subject, and Rakesh Nayaka, the 2016 runner-up arguing against it, setting the stage for the launch of the 2023-24 edition.

A CSR initiative of Federal Bank in association with The Times of India and Vijay Karnataka, the competition provides a platform for college students across Karnataka to voice their views on contemporary issues and become change-makers of society. The seventh edition of the competition was inaugurated by city police commissioner B Dayananda. “Communication is one aspect that is important in terms of not only your career, but also your personal life and growth as a human being. A study conducted on the longevity of human beings found that how long you live is related to how well you’re connected with other human beings, how you share your emotions, thoughts, which are ultimately your personal happiness index,” he said. “As you debate, you evolve, and as you progress in the competition, your horizon and knowledge mental sphere expand.”Thejaswini Sharma, Sandalwood actress, encouraged the youth to be vocal about issues plaguing society. “With the power of social media, youngsters are actively engaging with social issues and voicing their concerns. It is important they make use of opportunities like this to express their opinions and call for change,” she said.Fr Augustine George, principal of Kristu Jayanti College, expressed his appreciation for the event as being a representative of the youth and their power to initiate change. “While I acknowledge the growing popularity of artificial intelligence, I believe human intelligence is a catalyst for change. The youth need to be involved in policy-making and changing society for the better.”Dileep B, senior vice-president and zonal head-Bengaluru, Federal Bank, said the competition is a great opportunity for all young debaters. “This is one of the biggest CSR activities of the Federal Bank Hormis Memorial Foundation. The finale is likely to be held in February,” he said.Shiju KV, vice-president and regional head of Federal Bank-Bengaluru South, said, “While hiring students from campuses, we not only look for academic knowledge but also good communication skills and an efficient method of articulation. Students should utilise platforms like this to develop these skills.”The competition will include district, zonal, semi-final, and final rounds. At the initial level, the participants will speak in their respective district centres or at the designated centres. Currently, the district-level competition is on. Students can choose either English or Kannada as their preferred language to debate in. The winner gets a cash prize of Rs 2.5 lakh and the runner-up, Rs 1.5 lakh. Each of the six finalists stands to win Rs 35,000. — Shreya Nandakumar