Area 60 debate session

Ruwi Club played host to the Area 60 debate session, the first of its kind, since, for the first time, four clubs were available to play off the semifinals and finals, viz. Ruwi Club, SBG Club, Muscat Airport Club and Sur Club.

Ruwi Club was of course the debutante in the field of debating, and the SBG club carried the shortest handicap (in racing terms). The draws held earlier had determined that Sur Club and SBG Club would contest the first semifinals while Muscat Airport Club and Ruwi Club would contest the second semis, immediately after which the winners would fight out the finals. Bit strenuous, preparing for two debate topics at one go, but lack of time and venue had sort of forced the issue.

The hall was full and all chairs occupied (around 40-45 people) by 2,00 pm. The Presidents of the club greeted each other and the senior judges. Our President TM Aji Baskar could not resist a story that celebrated interdependence more than the independence and taking help of others was extolled as an investment rather than as taking advantage.

Area Director TM Ramki flagged off the debate session and introduced the first moderator TM Kumar, who had proposed the debate topic "Gender equality in the corporate world is a myth". Very topical, rich with data, spiced with sarcasm, laced with eloquence, the topic was bounced back and forth between the contestants Sur Club and SBG Club for the next half-hour. The end of the debate left the audience undecided as to who to support.

The second moderator TM Babu Srinivasan took the floor and introduced the topic "Sportsmanship and success does not co-exist." Muscat Airport Club and Ruwi Club debated the issue, swinging between the importance of money and fame to the satisfaction of a game well played and life well led. A consensus had not been reached by the time the clock stopped.

There was a tea break while the scores were compiled and the semifinal winners decided. The contestants were soon put out of their agony by the judges. SBG Club won the first semis while Muscat Airport Club won the second semis.

The finals topic was "We can create our own luck", moderated by the Area Director himself. This was a conceptual topic and the teams struggled with definitions and interpretations, so much so that at one point Muscat Airport Club seemed to be arguing for the other side! With such a balance of arguments SBG Club made short work of the debate and emerged victorious.

The judges were felicitated and the awards presented. It was a landmark event and the Division Director expected other areas to also organise such debate sessions at area levels, which would be sure to be forthcoming.

Congratulations to the winners (champion and runners-up). Till the next debate...