​​Highlights from the grand Speak for India 2024 Delhi-NCR Edition

Deciding the winner: 8 participants, 3 rounds, 3 topics

During the Grand Finale of Speak for India Delhi-NCR, three rounds were conducted. Competitions took place across various locations in Delhi and NCR at the district level, leading to eight winners who advanced to the final. These finalists were split into two groups, each comprising four contestants. Group A included Priya Singh from Ramanujan College, Ojasvi Gupta from Bharti College, Shashank Gupta from Kirodimal College, and Cheshta Malik from Ramjas College. Contestants had three minutes each to discuss their given topic, with two participants arguing in favour and two against in each group.

First debate topic: Equal pay and prize money for women in sports

Supporting the motion, Priya made the point, "Parents won't motivate their children to follow a career path that doesn't offer financial rewards or recognition. The RCB women's team's victory came down to their ability." Ojasvi added, "It's essential to initiate changes from the very foundation."

Shashank's comeback

Countering the opposition, Shashank questioned, "What's the merit in opposing something merely for opposition's sake? The impact of a speech should not be gauged by the amount of applause it garners. Article 39D emphasises on equality. Wages consist of two parts: a basic wage and an additional wage. The real issue concerns the basic wage, which the BCCI has made equal. Deepika Padukone outearns Ritesh Deshmukh due to her greater opportunities. Similarly, if Smriti Mandhana is provided with more opportunities, her earnings will surpass those of her current standing in the future."

Cheshtha's response

Cheshtha argued against the motion, saying, "True equality is a myth; what we see is merely compensation. Consider the differing revenues between the Women's Premier League and the IPL. However, Grand Slam tournaments do offer equal prize money to both men and women. PV Sindhu has remarked that an athlete's earnings are tied to their ability to attract sponsors. Likewise, Deepika's income wasn't merely a product of her opportunities; it was her ability to draw in audiences and sponsors that truly bolstered her earnings."

Second debate topic: setting the legal age for internet use in India - 13 or 18

Group B consisted of four participants, Pankaj Upadhyay from DAVCSC, Priyadarshini Singh of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar University, Somdatta Chakravarti at Miranda House, and Priyanshu Raj from Lloyd Law College, who debated the topic of setting the legal age for internet usage in India at either 13 or 18.

Pankaj spoke in favour of the motion

Supporting the motion, Pankaj argued, "Age doesn't necessarily reflect maturity. Denying internet access to the younger generation could lead to their isolation. For instance, if Chanakya had been deprived of similar resources, he might not have succeeded in KBC."

Somdatta's retort

Somdatta remarked, "The internet, or the World Wide Web, is a global platform. Around the world, children as young as 13 are starting to learn coding."

The third debate topic focused on climate change

At the event, actress Tisca Chopra made an appearance as a special guest. She extended her thanks to the Times of India, Navbharat Times, and Federal Bank of India for their role in putting together a remarkable and impressive debate competition. Tisca shared, "It can be quite daunting to speak before an audience. When I was asked about dyslexia during the filming of Taare Zameen Par, my response was, 'I'm not sure, please consult a doctor; I'm merely an actor.'"

Sharing their views on Climate change

Backing the argument, Cheshta, and opposing it, Priyanshu laid out their viewpoints. Cheshta remarked, "We can't ignore climate change as it's part of the Earth's natural cycles. The rise in floods, heatwaves, and natural disasters can't be overlooked. However, the greater threat lies in our collective response and adaptation. Initially, electric vehicles (EVs) were seen as risky, but now they represent a leading industry. We're currently experiencing a warm phase in the Earth's climatic cycle, situated between ice ages."

Priyanshu shared his perspective

Countering the point, Priyanshu presented his argument, "There were claims that the Earth would come to an end in 2014, which were unfounded. The American Senate has rejected the notion of climate change. Concerns about the ozone layer were highlighted in Australia, yet conditions there remain stable. Sporting events continue as usual, including the Australian Open, indicating that the weather isn't undergoing drastic changes. Additionally, it's a natural process for the Earth to shift its axis approximately every 45 years."