July 2, 2025, Techno India Group proudly played host to an intellectually invigorating Debate Workshop, held under the prestigious banner of Debating Excellence 2025, in collaboration with the Calcutta Debating Circle (CDC). This vibrant initiative witnessed enthusiastic participation from students of TIGPS Garia & Ariadaha, Techno India University (TIU), and Techno Main Salt Lake (TMSL) on the 2nd of July.
A Morning of Introductions and Inspiration- The event began with a warm welcome and a short introduction about the day’s sessions. The hall was buzzing with energy as students gathered in anticipation of meeting and learning from global debate champions.
The first highlight of the morning was the felicitation ceremony. Prof. Manoshi Roychowdhury, one of the key figures at Techno India, along with Mr. Dipankar Bhattacharjee — Zakari, Elias, Hunter, Ezike, Jordan, and Haider — who had flown in from Cambridge, Oxford, and Harvard to be a part of this prestigious workshop.
As Ms. Roychowdhury said during her speech, “Debating is not about winning arguments — it’s about understanding, expressing, and growing as individuals.” Today, Techno India lived that message to the fullest.
After the felicitation, the anchor of the event took to the stage and shared a short speech. They spoke about the importance of the workshop, what the sessions would include, and how students could make the most of this opportunity.
Following that, Haider addressed the audience with an engaging speech about debating rules and what debate really means. He explained the structure, etiquettes, and spirit of debating — reminding everyone that debates are not just arguments, but intelligent discussions built on facts, logic, and respect.
Next, Jordan spoke briefly about the workshop. He encouraged students to stay focused, ask relevant questions, and participate actively. “Keep your questions brief, meaningful, and connected to the topic,” he advised.
With the speeches done, it was time to start the workshop. Haider opened the session with another short speech before conducting a live demonstration of a debate with Jordan. They chose a topic and showed how a formal debate takes place, including how to ask questions and respond thoughtfully. This helped students understand how theory is put into practice.
After the demo, the anchor invited Prof. Manoshi Roychowdhury and Dr. Kunal Sarkar on stage for the lamp-lighting ceremony, marking the official start of the day’s program.
Following the ceremony, Prof. Manoshi Roychowdhury gave a heartwarming speech. She spoke about the importance of debates, the right etiquette to follow, and the common problems students face while debating. She also shared how these issues can be overcome. Her talk touched upon education, life, knowledge, and the legacy of the Calcutta Debating Circle. She ended her speech by talking about the achievements and dedication of Dr. Kunal Sarkar.
She then felicitated Dr. Sarkar, and spoke a few words to honour his contribution to education, debate culture, and society. In return, Dr. Kunal Sarkar gave an inspiring speech about his life, his journey, and the value of hard work, critical thinking, and speaking with purpose. His words touched the hearts of everyone in the audience.
Group Division and Mentoring Session
After the speeches, it was time for the participants to dive into their group activities. A photo session was held with the international guests — Zakari, Elias, Hunter, Ezike, Jordan, and Haider — before groups were formed.
Around 12-13 student was placed in every groups. The groups were led by the international debaters:
Group 1 – Elias
Group 2 – Zakari
Group 3 – Ezike
Group 4 – Hunter
Group 5 – Haider
Group 6 – Jordan
Students first spent some time talking with their mentors to get comfortable. Then the three-hour grooming session began. During this period, students learned the art of debating — how to frame arguments, how to present ideas clearly, and how to respectfully counter opposing views. They also shared thoughts with each other and got personal feedback from their mentors.
Everyone came out of the session not only more confident but also more skilled in communication, logic, and presentation.
Lunch Break and the Final Competition
After the intense grooming session, the students enjoyed a well-deserved 45-minute lunch break.
The second half of the day kicked off with the anchor announcing the main event: The Final Debating Competition. Each group had to select one representative to go on stage and participate in the final round.
Before the debate began, Zakari gave a clear and short speech about the rules of the final debate. He reminded everyone about the importance of staying focused, keeping arguments relevant, and sticking to time limits.
The topic for the debate was:
“Should beauty pageants be banned?”
The finalists were:
For the motion (Yes, they should be banned):
Anish, Samprikta, Asmita
Against the motion (No, they should not be banned):
Sreetama, Sreeja, Upalabdha
The debate was intense, well-structured, and full of strong points. All six finalists impressed the audience and the judges with their clarity, confidence, and reasoning.
The judges for the final round were:
Tanya Bhardwaj, Elias and Hunter
After the debate ended, each judge gave a short speech, appreciating the participants for their efforts and giving valuable feedback on how to improve further.
And the Winner Is…
Finally, the moment everyone was waiting for — the announcement of the winner.
After careful discussion, the judges selected Upalabdha Ayat Bhowmik as the winner of the final debate competition. His arguments were strong, clear, and persuasive, earning praise from both the judges and the audience. He will now go on to represent Techno India in future events of the Calcutta Debating Circle.
The event ended on a high note with applause, photographs, and heartfelt thanks to all the participants, guests, and organizers. The Calcutta Debating Circle Workshop at Techno India was more than just a workshop — it was a celebration of knowledge, communication, and global connection. Students walked away with not just new skills, but also unforgettable memories.