Kochi girl wins international debate competition
Nearly 1,800 students from 90 countries competed at various stages
Kochi: Aninthitha N, a Class 10 student, has won an international debating competition that saw nearly 1,800 students from 90 countries competing at various stages. The student with the Toc H Public School, Vyttila, came top in the ‘International Secondary Schools Debate’ competition organised by the Trust for Sustainable Living (TSL).
The competition is open worldwide and anyone can participate in the first stage. One has to submit an essay on a given topic online and the list of selected candidates for the main stages will be published in two months.
“From the initial 1,800 entries, nearly 100 students from 43 countries were selected for the final two rounds while 25 candidates from 17 countries vied in the final round, comprising speech, debate and group discussion. It was my third attempt in the last three years and I was mentally prepared,” a beaming Aninthitha said.
The final round competition was held on July 8 at Oxford Union Hall, Oxford University, UK. The topic for the debate was “Whether current sustainability education will ensure a sustainable future.”
“I knew the Oxford Union Hall has historic importance what with world leaders sharing their thoughts at the venue from time to time. I was determined to perform well. The guidance I received earlier from co-ordinator Laila Kuruvilla and my mother gave me the confidence to speak at the stage and was over the moon when I was declared the winner,” she said.
The Teacher Coordinator and Guide Laila Kuruvilla also received “The Teacher Champion Certificate” in appreciation of this great achievement from the Living Rainforest and the Trust for Sustainable Living in the UK.