News Coverage of the 1st NLS Debate Junior

And the word spreads. The event got a fair amount of regional publicity. Here are a few links to the pieces on the first edition, before and after.

Newspolitan on 4th November, 2011 (Friday)

http://www.newspolitan.com/india/bangalore/2011/11/04/bangalore-miror-NLS-debaters-teach-city-students-verbal-warfare

Bangalore Mirror on 4th November, 2011 (Friday)

http://www.bangaloremirror.com/index.aspx?page=article&sectid=10&contentid=2011110420111104232212575f3ed20ac#ftr2

(e-Paper)

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Client.asp?skin=pastissues2&enter=LowLevel&AW=1320990841765

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Search&Key=BGMIR/2011/11/05/7/Ar00700.xml&CollName=BGMIR_ARCHIVE_2009&DOCID=221351&Keyword=%28%3Cmany%3E%3Cstem%3ENLS%3Cand%3E%3Cmany%3E%3Cstem%3EDebaters%29&skin=pastissues2&AppName=2&ViewMode=HTML

Deccan Herald on 9th November, 2011 (Wednesday)

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/203748/word-war-its-law-school.html#top

Cheers!

--
Sounak Sarkar
IV Year B.A. LL.B. (Hons.)
National Law School of India University

Article on the Ramayana 300 Essays Controversy

Hi everyone!

Check out the link:


http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/opinion/edit-page/The-Authorised-Ramayana/articleshow/10658269.cms

Based on the finals motion, the issue only seems to be picking up! It's quite a candid piece exposing the fragility of the value behind of such censorship. Interestingly, it points out the inevitability of such concealment eventually backfiring on the community. It also raises interesting questions. Can we rid ourselves of the ostensible virtuousness expounded by such tales? 

"So is this 'sanitising' an inevitable movement, an ineluctable step towards 'civilising'? To return from where i started, the 'uncivilised' Mrinmoyee in Ray's film must be brought into the fold of civilisation, through the taming of her instincts. Indeed, how precarious must we feel with the dark stranger that resides within us?"

Pay careful attention to the piece. It points out a perspective different from that of the educators' or historian's. It focuses on the social connotations of such censorship. Hence, the issue here questions the social benefit of preventing such versions from coming out, instead of pointing out a different thread of consequentialist questions which were argued by the finalist teams. Hence, is a highly filtered and unadulterated version of any folklore truly beneficial? What's the value in preserving such purportedly "untarnished" and perhaps overly appropriate versions of literature? 

This is certainly an opportunity to widen your horizon about the broader repercussions of such a move. Also, think about how even from a religion point of view, is religion for the sake of religion indeed the best way to propagate religious faith? Isn't it better for a religion itself for people to reinforce their faith in view of rational critique? These serve as alternate rationales to argue the same claim, that the move might have been a blunder. Should questioning one's faith be compromised for the benefit of a fragile and tenuous form of integrity? Can the morality we derive from a tale like Ramayana be designed and controlled by only a few?

What's really cool is that the author is a psychoanalyst! (Remember our module on perspectives?)

The Table of Scores

Hi everyone!

Here is the link to access the table of scores that were awarded throughout the tournament. This would give you the exact picture of your standings, in case you're curious.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0ApY3Qb9F2RvydG9meWl4UkZvZHRzb29ZY3dJRjRlcUE

Report and Results of the 1st NLS Debate - Junior, 2011

The 1st NLS Debate – Junior was held between the 4^th and 7^th of November in the NLSIU campus. Thirty four teams from several leading high schools across Bangalore competed against each other in the Asian Style Parliamentary Debate format, akin to the World Schools Debate Championship. The preliminary rounds were held on 6^th with the teams facing off each other in five preliminary rounds. The top eight teams advanced into the Quarter Finals on 7^th.

In the Grand Final, “The Witty Warriors” comprising of Aravind Srinivasan, Anjali Bhargav and Pooja Adiga defeated “The Parliament” comprising of Ujval Mohan, Sesh Sadasivam and Malini Srikrishna, both teams representing Sri Kumaran’s Children’s Home, CBSE. The debate was won by a majority vote of 7-2 in a very close and exciting match. The motion for the Grand Final was “This House Believes that Delhi University was wrong in dropping “Three Hundred Ramayanas: Five Examples and Three Thoughts on Translations” from its History Syllabus.”

Dharini Prasad representing Sri Kumaran’s Children’s Home, CBSE and Karan Gupta representing Christ Junior College shared the award for the Best Speaker of the Tournament. Dharini from Sri Kumaran’s Children’s Home, CBSE, also won the award for the Most Stylish Speaker, meant to reward the transition from other speaking competitions at the school level to this format.

In the first tournament of its kind in India, the teams showed an amazing learning curve, having spoken in the tournament after only two workshops conducted previously in their schools and on campus, a day prior to the tournament. The speeches were for duration of 5 minutes. The progress among the students in the pool was remarkable. Each round focused around a theme, and two of the three preliminary rounds, as well as the Finals were prepared rounds for which the motion had been announced prior to the tournament.

Here are the full results of the tournament –

The 8 Top Teams (in order of Break)

1. Witty Warriors [Sri Kumaran’s Children’s Home, CBSE] (Winners)
2. Christ Junior College – 1 (Quarter Finalists)
3. The Parliament [Sri Kumaran’s Children’s Home, CBSE] (Runners-Up)
4. The Zenith [National Public School, Indiranagar] (Semi Finalists)
5. The Devil’s Advocates (Quarter Finalists)
6. Cicero’s Angels [Baldwin Girls’ High School] (Quarter Finalists)
7. Army Public School – 1 (Semi Finalists)
8. Devilish Debaters (Quarter Finalists)

The Top 10 Speakers of the Tournament

1. Karan Gupta (Christ Junior College) [Best Speaker]
1. Dharini (Sri Kumaran’s Children’s Home, CBSE) [Best Speaker, Most Stylish Speaker]
2. Aravind Srinivasan (Sri Kumaran’s Children’s Home, CBSE)
3. Ujval Mohan (Sri Kumaran’s Children’s Home, CBSE)
4. Sumedha (National Public School, Indiranagar)
5. Siddharth Saxena (Inventure Academy)
6. Samvida (National Public School, Indiranagar)
7. Adrija (National Public School, Indiranagar)
8. Aditya Menon (Army Public School)
9. Neeti Ganjur (Inventure Academy)

The Motions

Round 1(Prepared) [Sports]

This House believes that hosting an F1 race does more harm than good to developing countries.

Round 2 (Impromptu) [Media]

This house believes that newspapers ought not to carry paid news.

Round 3 (Prepared) [Civil Rights]

This House condemns the assassination of Anwar Al Awlaki

Round 4 (Impromptu) [School]

This House will allow the use of Corporal Punishment in schools

Round 5 (Impromptu) [Religion]

This House will disallow wearing religious symbols in schools

Quarter Finals (Impromptu) [Ethical Dilemma]

This House, being the ship filled with law abiding citizens of Gotham, should blow up the other ship

Semi Finals (Impromptu) [Science and Technology]

This house will abandon space exploration.

Grand Final (Prepared) [History and Education]

This House Believes that Delhi University was wrong in dropping “Three Hundred Ramayanas: Five Examples and Three Thoughts on Translations” from its history syllabus.

We thank all the volunteers who helped us out to make this tournament a smooth and fun experience for the all the participants. We’ll be back. Until then…

Motion for the Grand Final

Hi,

As we promised, here is the motion for the finals. Take a chance and get cracking!

Finals (Prepared): History & Education

"Three Hundred Ramayanas: Five Examples and Three Thoughts on Translations" is an essay that documents the different versions of the Ramayana, passed down in different languages and cultures over the years. Three years ago, the Akhila Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, the training squad for Bharatiya Janata Party hopefuls, vandalized the History Department of Delhi University to protest its inclusion in the syllabus. Last month, the academic council finally removed the essay, one of great scholarly import, citing the hurt it caused to the religious sentiments of Hindus. Is this reaction similar to existing German laws on Nazi symbols? Would academic value transcend any claims, religious or otherwise?

This House Believes that Delhi University was wrong in dropping "Three Hundred Ramayanas: Five Examples and Three Thoughts on Translations" from its history syllabus.

Revised Schedule for The 1st NLS Debate - Junior

Day 1 – Sunday, 6^th November, 2011

[Day starts after breakfast]

When?	What?
9.00am – 9.30am	Opening Ceremony for NLSD Junior
	Welcome address
	Announcing schedule for the day
	Briefing the teams [explaining structure and rules of the tournament]
9.30am	Match ups and motions release for Round 1
9.30am – 11.00am	Round 1 [Including Adjudication feedback]
11.00pm – 11.10am	Tea/Snacks Break [Provided by the College]
11.10am	Match ups and motions release for Round 2
11.10am – 12.40pm	Round 2 [Including Adjudication feedback]
12.40pm – 1.10pm	Lunch Break [Provided by the college]
1.15pm	Match ups and motions release for Round 3
1.15pm – 2.45pm	Round 3 [Including Adjudication feedback]
2.45pm – 3.00pm	Last break/Stretch your legs/Breathe some air/Get social!
3.00pm – 4.30pm	Round 4 [Including Adjudication feedback]
4.30pm – 5.00pm	Announcement of results for the day
	Experiences and Feedback
	Instructions for next day/Closing

Day 2 – Monday, 7^th November, 2011

When?	What?
9.00am – 9.30am	Announcing schedule for the day
	Instructions to teams
	Explaining the break
	Assigning rooms and runners et al
9.30am	Match ups and Motions release for Round 5
9.30am – 11.00am	Round 5 [Closed Round - No Adjudication feedback]
11.00am – 11.30am	Announcing the breaks!
	Explaining the Quarter Final rounds format - Closed Rounds and Panels judging
	Tea/Snacks Break!
11.30am	Match ups and motions release for the Quarter Finals
11.30am – 1pm	Quarter Finals
1pm – 1.30pm	Lunch Break [Provided by the College]
1.30pm – 1.45pm	Announcement of Quarter Finals results
1.45pm	Motion for the Semi Finals release
1.45pm – 3.15pm	Semi Finals
3.15pm – 3.30pm	Break, Announcement of Semi Final results!
3.30pm	Motion for the Grand Finals! (Extended Prep Time)
3.30pm – 5.00 pm	Grand Finals
5.00pm – 5.30pm	Announcing results of the Grand Finals and handing over prizes
	Distribution of Prizes for Best speakers & Special Prizes
	Meet Teacher Representatives, Explain Plan and Feedback]

Motions for Rounds 1 & 3

As promised, here are the motions for the first and third rounds of the tournament!

Round 1

With an initial investment of USD 400 million, the displacement of several hundreds of farmers, and the possibility of creating employment at best being seasonal, the construction of the Buddh International Circuit seems to have received a mixed response. Despite phenomenal competition, even the South African Football World Cup faced the ire of their natives when FIFA, and not the organizers, controlled distribution rights, pocketing large parts of the revenue. On the other hand, the benefits that arise from a venture of this sort include raising the image of the country, garnering "soft" power in the international arena, and potentially raising revenue from tourism in the long run. Following a rebuff by the FIA, Sports Minister, Ajay Maken, remarked that a sport like F1 did not belong to India. Can we to celebrate the first ever Indian Grand Prix guiltlessly?

This House believes that hosting an F1 race does more harm than good to developing countries.

Round 3

Anwar al-Awlaki was an imam once described as the "bin Laden of the internet", what with an extensive following on Youtube, Facebook and a blog. These fora allegedly helped motivate at least three attacks on US soil. Perturbed by his growing influence, he came under the scanner of national security analysts. Exactly one month ago, this American citizen was the victim of a successful "targeted killing" effort by the United States. Following his death, many have raised concerns of propriety, citing the fact that every citizen is entitled to due process before the judiciary, where evidence would be presented, crimes adjudicated upon and a sentence passed. However, the entire matter remains shrouded in secrecy. Are considerations of national security continuously eroding the values of the law or is the law itself growing in irrelevance, unready for the era of terrorism? An after-thought - what happened to free speech?

This House condemns the assassination of Anwar Al Awlaki

We will also release the motion for the finals. In the mean time, start reading up! The side from which you will be arguing shall, of course, only be released when the preparation time for the round begins.

And just by the way, you cannot get away with a prepared speech. :P 

Tournament Updates

Hi!

Out of a total of five rounds of debating in the preliminary rounds, we have decided to release motions for two of the rounds over this weekend. We hope that debating motions that you would have time to gather information and arguments for, might help you familiarise yourself with the rules of parliamentary debate. However, we will not release information on which sides you will be arguing for.

As a general guideline, please do keep in mind that it is necessary, not only to present your own arguments, but to engage with the arguments brought up by the other side. If it appears that you seem not to remain dynamic in the debate and change up your strategy as you go on, you will be penalised on method and matter.

Cheers!

PS: If you're wondering what method & matter are, ask your teacher for the adjudication guidelines!

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

The 1st National Law School Debate – Junior 1

4th – 7th November, 2011

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Phase 1 - Rs. 300 (Registration is per participant)–

• 3 Workshop sessions on Day 0
• Selection Rounds on Day 1
• Competition Material – Stationery, Primers, Schedule and Maps
• Tea & Snacks on Day 0 and 1
• Dinner on Day 0

Phase 2  - Rs. 500 (For participants who make it to Phase 2. This is inclusive of registration for Phase 1. Registration is per participant)–

• 3 Workshop sessions on Day 0
• Selection Rounds on Day 1
• 5 Rounds of preliminary debating over Day 2 and 3
• A maximum of 4 additional debates in the Knockout Stages on Day 3
• Competition Material – Stationery, Primers, Schedule and Maps
• Tea & Snacks on all Days
• Dinner on Day 0 and 2
• Gala Dinner on Day 3

PRIZES

TEAMS -
 WINNERS: RS. 6000
 RUNNERS UP: RS. 3000
 SEMIFINALISTS: RS 1500

SPEAKERS -
 BEST OVERALL DEBATER: RS. 1000
 MOST STYLISH DEBATER: RS. 750

Certificates will be given to ALL participating individuals. Along with prize money, trophies will be handed over to the winners & best speakers.

The registration amount may be paid at the reception on Day 0 for the Participants in Phase 1, and on Day 2 for those who make it to Phase 2, which consists of the Preliminary and Main Rounds.

- Team NLS Debate - Junior

A Quick Recap...

Hi,

We hope you enjoyed your introduction to debating.

For the sake of recollection, we had discussed the importance of understanding how language developed and how you can use it in conversation to help you get what you want. In this spirit, we discussed euphemisms, analogies, associative devices, so on and so forth. Subsequently, we explored logic as a means of thinking through the opinions we often hold without examining them in entirety. We debated whether the members of parliament or the members of civil society were better suited to draft the Lokpal Bill to tackle the menace of corruption. In doing so, you were able to appreciate the assumptions that belie arguments and the importance of establishing a link between cause and effect. We wrapped up the lecture sessions with a module on perspectives to understand that the form and importance of an argument were direct consequences of whose interest was being served (like that of the individual versus the government in the example on conscription).

In the following session, we familiarized you with the rules of the Asian style of Parliamentary Debating, followed at both the Asian & Worlds Schools Debating Championships and conducted a demonstration with active participation from you and your classmates!

Come this first week of November, we are hosting the first tournament of this kind in India for you and your peers. Have no fears, for two days before the commencement of the tournament, we will be conducting intensive workshops designed to welcome you into the world of debating.  One the first day, we wish to cover three main themes – the development of arguments, breaking down arguments and general strategy. However, because of space constraints, we are asking your school to send only twelve students, spread across all the batches, to these workshops. We will appoint a mentor for each school, so that all of you will have a senior to look up to and guide you through the activity.

On the second day, we will hold a practice session and hold selections for students of each school, reducing the size of each school contingent to six students per school. These six students will form two teams and take part in a grueling contest over the next two days. There will be five rounds of debating over two days, with speeches each lasting a maximum of five minutes. After the conclusion of these five rounds, the top eight teams from the pool of thirty-six teams will make it to the quarters. After this stage, teams that lose will be knocked out, as with any other sporting activity.

We will wrap up the evening with a scrumptious dinner and a meeting with your teacher-representatives, where we will take feedback and present a plan to them to make our association more long-lasting, with us setting up a community of debaters in your school.

If you have any ideas, suggestions, grievances or absolutely anything at all, do write to us at nlsdebatejunior@gmail.com

Warm Regards,

Team NLSD Junior

THE SCHEDULE

The 1^st NLS Debate- Junior
Tournament Schedule

Day 0 – Friday, 4^th November, 2011

[Day commences right after lunch]

When?	What?
1.00pm – 1.30pm	Welcome and opening address in the Briefing Room
	Quick recap of the workshop sessions in individual schools
	Briefing on the day’s modules and Importance of Day  0
	Explaining the split in modules
	Introduction of teachers for workshop
	Splitting up into 3 batches and Explaining rooms and format
1.45pm – 2.45pm	Module 1 of the workshop: Construction of Matter
2.45pm – 3.00pm	Coke/Tea/Snacks break [Provided by the College] - Good time to get social!
3.15pm – 4.30pm	Module 2 of the workshop: Deconstruction of Matter
4.30pm – 4.45pm	Another small break/interacting with other students
5.00pm – 6.00pm	Module 3 of the workshop: Real Time Debate Strategy
6.00pm – 6.30pm	Closing remarks for the day’s proceedings in the Briefing Room
	Instructions for the next day
	Stuff you should ponder about after you go back home

Day 1 – Saturday, 5^th November, 2011

[Day commences right after lunch]

When?	What?
1.00pm - 1.30pm	Instructions for Round 2 of NLSD Junior Selections
	Explanation of format and nature of selections
	Assignment of rooms and introducing judges for selections
1.30pm – 1.45pm	Draw of lots and Release of Match-ups (8 Batches * 24/Batch)
2.00pm – 7.30pm	Debate Rounds
7.30pm – 8.00pm	Dinner [Provided by the College]
	Announcement of results
	Instructions for the next day
	Rules for observers
	Closing remarks for the day’s proceedings in the Briefing Room

Day 2 – Sunday, 6^th November, 2011

[Day starts after breakfast]

When?	What?
10.00am – 10.30am	Opening Ceremony for NLSD Junior
	Welcome address
	Announcing schedule for the day
	Briefing the teams [explaining structure and rules of the tournament]
10.30am	Match ups and motions release for Round 1
10.30am – 12.00pm	Round 1 [Including Adjudication feedback]
12.00pm – 12.30pm	Lunch Break [Provided by the College]
12.30pm	Match ups and motions release for Round 2
12.30pm – 2.00pm	Round 2 [Including Adjudication feedback]
2.00pm – 2.15pm	Tea/Snacks Break [Provided by the college]
2.15pm	Match ups and motions release for Round 3
2.15pm – 3.45pm	Round 3 [Including Adjudication feedback]
3.45pm – 4.00pm	Last break/Stretch your legs/Breathe some air/Get social!
4.00pm – 5.30pm	Round 4 [Including Adjudication feedback]
5.30pm – 6.00pm	Announcement of results for the day
	Experiences and Feedback
	Instructions for next day/Closing

Day 3 – Monday, 7^th November, 2011

When?	What?
10.00am – 10.30am	Announcing schedule for the day
	Instructions to teams
	Explaining the break
	Assigning rooms and runners et al
	Match ups and Motions release for Round 5
10.30am	Round 5 [Closed Round - No Adjudication feedback]
10.30am – 12.00pm	Lunch Break [Provided by the college]
12.00pm – 12.30pm	Announcing the breaks!
12.30pm – 1.pm	Explaining the Quarter Final rounds format - Closed Rounds and Panels judging
	Match ups and motions release for the Quarter Finals
1pm	Quarter Finals
1pm – 2.30pm	Tea/Snacks Break [Provided by the College]
2.30pm – 2.45pm	Announcement of Quarter Finals results
2.45pm – 3.00pm	Motion for the Semi Finals release
3.00 pm	Semi Finals
3.00pm – 4.30pm	Break, Announcement of Semi Final results
4.30pm – 5.00pm	Motion for the Grand Finals! (Extended Prep Time)
5.00 pm	Grand Finals
5.00pm – 7pm	Break [Meet Teacher Representatives, Explain Plan and Feedback]
7.00pm	Grand Dinner [Provided by the College]
7.30pm	Closing Ceremony for the I NLS Debate- Junior
8.00pm	Distribution of Prizes for Best speakers & Special Prizes
	Announcing results of the Grand Finals and handing over prizes

• As this event involves a very intensive format, do expect to get very tired by the end of the day.
• Sometimes, adjudication and tabulation of results might result in small delays at different points during the day. Hence, please do keep in mind that the schedule may not eventually be accurately followed, and the day might end later than mentioned here.
• That said, we will do everything in our capacity to run the tournament as per schedule strictly.
• If you have any queries on any part of this schedule, please contact our committee members –

Siddhartha Basu Chief of Staff/Convenor, The Literary and Debating Society	+919538232883
Fajr Dar Joint Convenor, The Literary and Debating Society	+919986329586
Sounak Sarkar Director, The 1st National Law School Debate – Junior	+918095945654
Badrinarayanan Seetharaman Co-Director, The 1st National Law School Debate – Junior	+919916247056