On 26th December Students from 12 schools around Chennai met at Arsha Vidya Mandir for a World Schools Debating Championship training programme sponsored by RAMCO Systems. Five days and several debates later, on 30th December five students were selected to represent India at The World Schools Debating Championship 2010 IN Doha. They were Chethana Venkataraghavan Std X H, Aditi Aggarwal XI E1, Madhulika Srikumar XI G2 from PSBB KK NAGAR and Sanchith Shivakumar and Siddarth Srikanth from Bala Vidya Mandir. The team was put together by the English coach Mr. Andrew Fitch and Mrs. Rama of Arsha Vidya Mandir.
It's great to note that it is for the first time that India qualified for the Octo- Finals where they were knocked out by England by a split decision of 4-1 judges.
The experience was an exhilarating one as besides debating; there was a great amount of cultural exchange with students of 57 nations mingling with each other, having practice debates, playing together in the rec room and generally getting acquainted with the culture and the student life of Qatar. The debate rounds were held in various different schools and universities around the city. Moreover there were day trips which included a Desert Safari, visits to Museum of Islamic Art and the local bazaar the Souq Qaqif.
An exposure to multitude of cultures, debating styles, friendships established with people from distant lands, have in fact helped the team return home stronger as debaters and as more mature young adults.
We thank our sponsors RAMCO systems for sponsoring this venture, Arsha Vidya Mandir and Our very own PSBB KK Nagar for giving us this wonderful opportunity.
Aditi Aggarwal IX E1
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