Shimla, April 22
The prestigious Slater Debates got underway this week at Bishop Cotton School, bringing together top schools from across India for a series of intense and thought-provoking contests.
The opening rounds witnessed spirited exchanges on a wide range of contemporary issues, from the cultural impact of reality television to fast fashion, mental health laws, cyberbullying, and the nature of love. Participants impressed adjudicators with sharp arguments, in-depth research, and confident delivery.
Tyndale Bisco defeated Lawrence School, Sanawar on the motion “Reality TV corrupts societal values,” with Jiyad named Best Speaker. BCS B secured a win over La Martiniere Girls in a debate on academic motivation, where Rushaan Kakkar was adjudged Best Speaker.
Loreto School triumphed over St Thomas on mental health legislation, while YPS Patiala beat St Luke’s in a debate comparing cyberbullying with physical bullying. Aarya Sood and Karanveer Singh were named Best Speakers in their respective rounds.
In another round, Auckland House School outperformed VHS on the motion advocating heavy taxation on fast fashion, with Pritha earning Best Speaker honours. AVS also registered a win over Sherwood on higher education funding, while Wynberg Allen prevailed against Sanawar on social media censorship.
One of the most closely watched debates saw BCS A defeat Mallinson Girls on the motion, “Love is a serious mental illness, not a beautiful emotion.” Despite her team’s loss, Maliya of Mallinson Girls was declared Best Speaker.
Organisers said the debates aim to foster critical thinking and articulate expression among students. The tournament will continue over the coming days with more high-quality exchanges expected.
