44th Manik Chandra Barooah Debate Held at Cotton University

Guwahati, September 7: The 44th edition of the Manik Chandra Barooah Memorial National-Level Debate Competition was organised at the Kalaguru Bishnu Prasad Rabha Auditorium of Cotton University on Sunday, drawing 58 participants from 30 institutions across India and Bhutan . Participants from prominent institutions, including Royal Thimphu College, Delhi University, Jamia Millia Islamia, Amity University, Banaras Hindu University, CVM University in Gujarat, Mahila Mahavidyalaya in Uttar Pradesh and National Sports University, Manipur, took part in the competition. Several institutions from Assam, including Tezpur University, Gauhati University, Dibrugarh University and J.B. Law College, also participated. The motion for this year’s debate was: “In the Opinion of this House, Western AI frameworks adopted by developing nations will entrench technological monopoly and crush indigenous innovation ecosystems, consequently deepening the digital divide.” Abhinav Borgohain and Tufail Nisar of Delhi University emerged as the Best Team, while Abhilash Kashyap and Agastya Kashyap of J.B. Law College were named the Second Best Team. Ankush Roy of Assam Engineering College was adjudged the Best Debater, followed by Rahul Rohan Poul of Tezpur University as the Second Best Debater and Hasan Sabreen Rohman of Dibrugarh University as the Third Best Debater. Nikhil Maheswari won the Best Interjector award, while Sabin Kumar Kalita was named the Second Best Interjector. The debate was preceded by an inaugural ceremony attended by Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal as the chief guest. AASU President Utpal Sharma attended as the guest of honour. Cotton University Vice Chancellor Prof. Ramesh Chandra Deka, Registrar (in-charge) Dr Hiren Deka, Director of Students’ Welfare Dr Gunendra Chandra Das and organising committee convenor Dr Akunthita Barthakur were also present. Addressing the gathering, Sonowal said debate, discussion and decision-making play an important role in strengthening democracy and developing a democratic mindset. He also cautioned students against excessive dependence on artificial intelligence and stressed the importance of human interaction and innovation. Sonowal further called for economic development without compromising the environment and urged students to make use of their freedom of expression and continue questioning the world around them. Prof. Ramesh Chandra Deka highlighted the contributions of Manik Chandra Barooah and described the competition as a platform for ideas, reasoning, questioning and intellectual exchange. Drawing a comparison between debating and scientific thinking, Deka said both rely on curiosity, evidence and logic, while also requiring individuals to reconsider their positions when presented with stronger arguments or evidence. Guest of Honour Utpal Sharma recalled the historic contribution of erstwhile Cotton College towards shaping society and emphasised the institution’s tradition of questioning established ideas. Referring to the Centre’s plan to establish three Centres of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence, Sharma called for Cotton University to be included among them so that the institution can take a leading role in AI research and education in Assam. He said the debate competition and Cotton College have historically encouraged questioning, exchange of ideas and public opinion as tools for bringing about social change. A souvenir edited by Anjali Mardi, Ayanjyoti Das and Ujjal Deka was also released during the programme. Registrar (in-charge) Dr Hiren Deka delivered the welcome address, while Dipom Saha, Secretary of the Debate and Symposium Section of the Cotton University Students’ Union (CUSU) and organising secretary of the event, gave an overview of the competition. Dr Akunthita Barthakur delivered the vote of thanks. Journalist and Editorial Lead with BBC’s Delhi Bureau Sachin Gogoi presided over the house as speaker. The judging panel comprised Gauhati High Court advocate Dr Neelotpal Deka, IIT Guwahati Assistant Professor Dr Kuldeep Baishya and Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport Head of Corporate Communications Dr Jyotisha Saikia. Today’s competition saw the presence of a large number of students, members of the faculty and staff, guests, apart from the delegates of the participating institutions. Also Read: Guwahati Hatigaon Murder: Ramanuj Goaswami Says ‘No Regrets, No Apology’