‘Speak for India’ enables young minds to sharpen public speaking

Trichy/Madurai: Students from colleges across southern and central Tamil Nadu showcased their oratory prowess at the zonal rounds of ‘Speak for India' inter-college elocution contest held in Madurai and Trichy on Jan 28 and 29 respectively.Organised as a corporate social responsibility initiative by Federal Bank in partnership with The Times of India since 2014, the contest provides a platform for young minds to express views on diverse topics, sharpening public speaking and critical thinking skills.As many as 28 participants from 10 colleges participated in the Trichy event at Indra Ganesan College of Engineering on Jan 29. In Madurai, Solamalai College of Engineering hosted 27 students from 20 colleges on Jan 28. Participants spoke on topics spanning subjects like agriculture, medicine, engineering, law, banking, arts, sciences, management and economics.V Hariharan, a visually impaired fourth-year student at Government Law College, Trichy, was assigned an agriculture-related topic. "My father is a farmer. Drawing from my knowledge of his agricultural and economic challenges, I took a few minutes to recall his struggles, prepared briefly, and then spoke," Hariharan said. Aspiring to become a successful advocate despite his disability, he praised the contest for letting him highlight his background and oratory talent. Yasmin Begum, a second-year paramedical student at SRM Institute of Science and Technology, spoke on artificial intelligence. "Although I am not a student of the subject, it was thrilling and engaging to take up the challenge as I am a common user of AI," she said.R Niranjana Devi from School of Excellence in Law, Madurai, addressed uniform dress codes: "With the change of times, it's essential to debate as it opens our mind in new ways," she said. Priyadharshini, a law student at Government Law College, Madurai, said Speak for India was a great opportunity for young people like her, as it recognizes and values the young minds of the nation. "Providing such platforms and encouraging youth through special awards is truly appreciable," she said.Zonal events are also taking place in Chennai, Coimbatore, and Salem. Semifinals are set for February 17, with finals on February 18. The overall winner will receive Rs2.5 lakh, runner-up Rs1.5 lakh, and six other finalists Rs50,000 each. Zonal winners will be announced shortly.