To Speak Or Not To Speak?

‘Should education be taken for granted?’ was the question that fell from the participants of the Chairman’s Trophy’s lips during the annual heated debate competition for the 10^th grade of CBSE. Speeches were prepared, great people were quoted, and altogether, views were expressed. Group C especially were very liberal in expressing their opinions in- shall we say- a very passionate manner. 

Ruthika Reddy of 10 C did not hesitate to scream her opinions and push her fellow students into jumping on and supporting the statement that education should, in fact, be taken for granted. However, Group F possessed enormous content and overall, brilliant presentation. Alekhya Reddy of 10 F particularly elaborated on the fact that education is not restricted to academics but overall holistic development, pledging her allegiance towards the fact that education can never be taken for granted. Everyone cheered when Anand Bollu of 10 B quoted a well-known and admired rapper, Marshall Mathers II (more commonly known as Eminem) in saying that moments should be captured and not allowed to slip away, hence supporting that education may be taken for granted. Tanvi Lakhtakia of 10 D targeted specific subject groups (such as mathematics, science, etc.) and pointed out that the concepts that we learn today will not be of great use in the future or in whatever career we choose to pursue. Samruddhi Sathe of 10 E summed up the contents of her group’s speech in a conclusive fashion, while 10 A’s Aishwarya Kapa’s carefully constructed speech held everyone in a moment of indecision as to whether or not support the statement, when she communicated it to the audience in a persuasive tone.

Everyone anticipated the awards eagerly. Of course, each group was well-deserving of the award and had their own strengths, but of course three of them shone out as the best orators. Due to their originality of content and speaking tone, 10 B secured third place. Given the passion of 10 C’s speeches, they secured the silver. However, the group that won first place was 10 F- consisting of Alekhya Kurra, Sri Kavya, and Siddharth- thanks to their content, posture, and overall presentation. The team was overjoyed at having won, and was congratulated by our Grade 10 CBSE English teacher, Suchismita ma’am, the IB English teacher, Nagamani ma’am, the vice-principal of Oakridge Einstein Campus, Jyothi Reddy ma’am, and our very own vice-principal, Hema Chennupaty ma’am.

We make speeches every day, however big or small. But it takes real courage to step up to a competition like this, a competition in which sections are pitted against each other in a battle of words. This year, Chairman’s Trophy 2013-2014 was a great success.

The real question is- to speak or not to speak? 

-Neeharika Thuravil, 10 D