Every human in this world has a brain with the help of which he/she can think and express. Now, when there are 7.5 billion brains in the world, differences in ideas and thoughts are bound to happen, and one of the best ways to resolve these differences is having a DEBATE.

Being a part of AVM Debating Club is a matter of prestige. The new comers from grade VI get initiated by learning the manners and methods of the Art of Debating. Every year, 10 Debate Modules are run with insightful presentations and interactive discussions. Students not only learn how to put forward their own views in an assertive way but also to respect the views of their opponents. As a result, we ultimately learn to seek the ‘TRUTH’. Moreover, we learn that the judge is absolute and divine and that the result rests in His hands and He is fair and unbiased.

During the year, every member of the Debating Club gets to participate in at least one practice debate, which helps them to nurture and cultivate their debating skills and improve upon their flaws. The debating session of 2016-17, kicked off with the first practice debate in the month of June with the topic related to current affairs and politics. Following this, there were 18 other practice sessions held on some of the most enchanting and trending issues related to Social welfare, Nation building, Economical affairs, Educational development, Morality, Scientific discoveries, Technological reforms, Health & Hygiene and many more. As the tradition in AVM goes, these practice debates are a filter to select some of the best orators for the annual IHDC.

Before the much awaited Inter House Debate Competition (AVM IHDC), every participant is assigned with the motion and his stand. We are provided with related resources and guidance to research on the assigned topics. Once the final draft is ready, we are expected to prepare for our speech with proper understanding, flow and pronunciation.

This academic year, AVM IHDC started in the mid of December 2016. In the Junior category, with participants from grades VII and VIII, two semi-final rounds were held between the four house teams. Each team performed well beyond its potential but the teams of houses SATYAM and SHIVAM marched on to the final round.

In the senior category, with participants from grades IX and X, the debates were ever more captivating. The two semi-final rounds were held between the four house teams and the teams of SATYAM and SUHRADAM houses got the green light for the finals.

On 11th of February 2017, after two weeks of hard work and some mind-boggling research work, the participants, the judges and the debate club members were all set to witness the intriguing IHDC Finale. In the junior category, the SHIVAM HOUSE team won and in the senior category, the SUHRADAM HOUSE team proved themselves to be better. The preparation of all the finalists was so splendid that the judges had a hard time deciding the winners.

All in all, the debate competitions and other debating club activities helped us improve our understanding of our own self, society and nation.

Manan S. Dudhwala, Khushal V. Mehta (Class 10)