ForNotFor, an international debate tournament for high school students, was recently organised to share their views and opinions on contemporary challenges plaguing humanity and the planet. hosted the competition virtually.
Ratyansh Garg of Jayshree Periwal High School in Jaipur won the discussion, with Fiona Raj of Shri Shikshayatan School in Kolkata coming in second.
A prize money of Rs 100,000 and Rs 50,000 respectively was awarded to the winners.
Around 230 students from 10 countries and 162 schools participated in the debate.
Many international schools such as Delhi Private School, Dubai, Dhaka, and Doha; Singapore Intercultural School, Indonesia; and St. Josephs Abu Dhabi, among others participated in the school.
After ten days of gruelling eliminations, the 16 participants from schools across India and abroad advanced to the quarterfinals, which was judged by eminent and popular debaters. Each elimination round concluded not only with the announcement of the results, but also with a feedback session from the top judges, who provided participants with feedback on their content and delivery.
Over the course of two days, the finalists from Shri Shikshayatan School in Kolkata, Jayshree Periwal School in Jaipur, Bharat National Public School in Delhi, and DPS Modern Indian School in Doha qualified.
"Students should be taught to speak up and share their thoughts because they have the ability to influence others. We should start this early because if they can influence, they can change people's lives. During the lockdown, we came up with a concept like this to engage students and give them a break from their daily routine," says Sanjay Padode, founding president, Vijaybhoomi University.