Mitali (Anchor of Mahadevi Birla School):- Good afternoon everyone! We have participants from four school teams in the Panel-1. The participants are Mrinmoy (St. Lawrence School), Sushanta (St. Xaviers School), Jyotirmoy (Don Bosco School) and Arindam (St.Sebastian School). Now, I would request our honorable judge, Mr. Trilochan Talukdar, the CEO of Creative Minds Agencies and philanthropist to give the topic of the debate to our contestants.
Mr. Trilochan Talukdar:- Thanks Mitali. Students, now, I am going to give you a very trivial topic of group discussion. Listen it carefully. ‘Had there been no Mahatma Gandhi in India, then to whom would you have selected as the Father of the Nation? Is it Swami Vivekananda or Netaji Subhashchandra Bose?’ Now, whosoever you select as the Father of the Nation, you have to justify with valid points why you are selecting that person. I know, this topic is a very tough one and somewhat out-of-the-box, but still, I want you people to try out this debate. Take 5 minutes time to recollect the points and then start.
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Sushanta (St. Xaviers School):- Good afternoon everybody! Right now, we have been given the task to select the father of the nation, had there been no Gandhiji. Netaji Subhashchandra Bose always led from the front with his violent strategies. He formed the Indian National Army but actually, he has failed. So, in no case, he can’t be a father of the nation.
Mrinmoy (St. Lawrence School):- Due to the attacks of USA on Japan, Netaji failed; otherwise, you cannot ignore the revolution he brought in the freedom struggle. It was due to his revolution that the British people felt that their ruling time was coming to an end. Netaji taught us the real patriotism. He taught us to be a real fighter for his motherland. He went to many places and requested the youngsters to join his Indian National Army to bring independence. His famous statement was, ‘You give me blood and I will give you independence.’ Truly, Netaji should have been regarded as the Father of the Nation, not Mahatma Gandhi.
Arindam (Saint Sebastian School):- But, Mrinmoy, here in this debate, we are not comparing Netaji with Gandhiji, but with Swami Vivekananda.
Jyotirmoy (Don Bosco School):-Exactly! Arindam, you are right. In my opinion, Swami Vivekananda is the ideal role model. He taught us about self-belief, self-esteem and self-control. He taught us to respect Indian culture, heritage and its tradition. He told us to believe in Hindutva.
Mrinmoy:- Yeah! Yeah! Actually, for marketing the Hinduism to the whole world, he went to Chicago.
Arindam:- No, he didn’t went there for marketing. He wanted to let the world know the hidden treasures of Indian culture. By the way, Hindutva and Hinduism is not the same thing. Hinduism means talking about the Hindu religion only whereas Hindutva means talking about the values and principles that were followed by the Aryans in the Rig Vedic Age. Patriotism and protecting your motherland are also a part of Hindutva theory.
Mrinmoy:- But he preached those things only for the Hindus.
Arindam:- No, no, not at all. Swami Vivekananda believed in the institution of secularism. He always requested everyone to regard all the Indian brothers and sisters as your own brothers and sisters. Swami Vivekananda’s main focus was to eradicate poverty from India and to make educated, self-esteemed, self-disciplined, cultured and traditional Indian youths.
Sushanta:- Yeah, Swami Vivekananda was a great man. Even he was the role model for Netaji also.
Mrinmoy:- Netaji also did the same thing but in a greater way. Netaji motivated the Indians with the patriotism devoid of any caste, creed and religion. Show me any Muslim, Christian or any other non-Hindus who followed the preaching of Swami Vivekananda.
Ms. Nilima Nanda (Social Activist cum Judge of this Inter-School Debate):- Ok, guys! Your time is up! This debate was not at all up to the mark, though you people have tried well. We will declare the result after the Panel-II debate.
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Mitali:- Now, we are going to start the debate in Panel-II. The participants are Chaitali (Bidya Bharati), Ragini (JD Birla), Sumitra (Carmel) and Revathi (Saint Sebastian School). I would like to request Mr. Siddhartha Sur, the professor of Swami Vivekananda College to give them a topic to debate upon.
Mr. Siddartha Sur (One of the Judges of this Inter-School Debate):- Thanks Mitali! Students, I would like to give a very easy topic to debate upon. The topic is ‘Unlike China, should there be a freedom of speech in India?’ If you go for it or against it, you have to justify it with your valid points. Start after 5 minutes.
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Sumitra (Carmel High School):- Good afternoon friends. Indirectly, today our topic is on Democracy Vs Autocracy. As we know, that China is a Communist nation where there is no democracy at all. If you utter a single word against the Chinese government as a resident of China, you will be jailed or even may be murdered. But, in India, as per our Constitution, every Indian citizen has full right of the freedom of speech. But, that is a problem. Anyone can criticize the Indian government without any fear.
Ragini (JD Birla School):- Freedom of speech is a part of a democracy. India is a democratic nation. Here, everyone has that right to express his views or opinions. If a government is doing something wrong, people will oppose it.
Revathi (Saint Sebastian School):- Exactly! We don’t want a nation to be ruled by an autocratic leader like Adolf Hitler. In China, people have no basic rights to open their mouth. Whatever their government orders them to do, whether it is right or wrong, they have to do that only.
Chaitali (Bidya Bharati School):- But, freedom of speech has certain limitations. You cannot hurt others’ sentiments and values.
Ragini:- Sentiments varies from people to people. For example, say, I like the hot rain dance by Sridevi in a film and you have not liked it. Now, if you start protesting that the film should be banned, is it a feasible thing. Even there are many instances where a Bollywood film has come out with the real facts but the politicians have banned those films. This is nothing but a murder of freedom of expression, ideas and views. It is nothing but autocracy only.
Sumitra:- If you have the full right to express your freedom of speech, then I should also have the full right to express my freedom to protest.
Revathi:- No, no, nowhere in our Indian Constitution, it is mentioned about the Right to Protest. Do you know why the common people of USA are so rational in their thinking in terms of creativity; because their democracy allows them to think out-of –the box!
Chaitali:- But, someone has to control the limitations of freedom of speech, naah!
Ragini:- Why? Where is the need for that? If you don’t like my speeches, just ignore it. Instead of doing that, you are appealing some hooligans to stop the social activists to suppress the truths. That’s neither a democracy nor an autocracy, but just hypocrisy on the voters who voted you and given the power to rule the nation.
Mr. Trilochan Talukdar:- Ok, girls, the time is up. You girls were somewhat bang on the target, but we expected something more from this debate. Anyway, well tried! Just after 5 minutes, the results of the debate will be declared.
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Revathi:- Come on! Let us go and watch a movie.
Arindam:- Dhaath! My mood is off now. I have come 3rd in the debate. Poor performance!
Revathi:- So what! I have become the runners-up. Actually, my mood is also somewhat off. That’s why; I am telling you to go for a movie with me. You do not understand it…uuh!
Arindam:- Ok, ok…which movie?
Revathi:- The Lion King.
Arindam:- That cartoon film…no, no…I am not a kid now to watch that Simba naa Samba…ki jano naam sei cub taar…and that too in a cinema hall with 50 bucks in balcony.
Revathi:- It is Simba and I am not telling you to go to a hi-fi cinema hall. At 4 PM, there is a show in Nandan with just 10 bucks. Please…please.
Arindam:- When you are requesting about it so sweetly, I have no other choice, but what is the duration of that cartoon film?
Revathi:- Hardly 60 to 80 minutes…and don’t insult that movie by saying it as a cartoon movie. I have seen the trailer…it is more than just a cartoon of National DD Channel.
Arindam:- Ok, ok…let us then board this public bus to head towards Nandan Cinema Hall.
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Nagenchand:- From tomorrow, you will not ride on this bicycle. That’s my order.
Nayantara:- Aah! What happened! Why are you scolding Nonigopal?
Nagenchand:- What happened? You ask me what has not happened. He is doing Hero-giri with this Hero Jet bicycle. He was racing with the other cyclists on the main road and somehow he lost control of the bicycle. As a net result, he collided with an old man walking on the footpath. That old man is the father of my Branch Manager. Do you know that?
Nonigopal:- I have said sorry to him.
Nagenchand:- Ok, next day, you will commit another bigger accident and then you will say sorry for 2-3 times.
Nayantara:- Arrey…Nonigopal…you have never mentioned about it to me.
Nagenchand:- Nayantara, have you even seen the condition of the bicycle. The handle has got bend by another 45 degrees from the straight angle. The 2nd tyre is already punctured. The chain has come out. After the accident, he just slowly and silently kept his bicycle inside the garage. But, people who saw the accident told me everything about it.
Nonigopal:- Only 600 bucks will be required to repair my Hero Jet bicycle. Actually, it is not my fault. This Hero Jet bicycle has a terrific speed. If you paddle it for 5 times continuously, it starts speeding up and I like the speed.
Nagenchand:- Accha…now, the blame is on the Hero Jet bicycle. 900 bucks gone to buy it and you need another 600 bucks to repair it.
Nayantara:- No, no…there is no need for it. Nonigopal, from tomorrow onwards, you are not going to ride on a bicycle. Already, so many accidents are happening in our city nowadays. Yesterday only, there was a news in ‘Khaash Khabor’ that a Red Colored South Bengal Bus has hit a cyclist on the road and the cyclist was spot dead.
Nagenchand:- aah! Subh subh bola karo…you are also...really…Anyway…Noingopal, cycling is banned for you. Better you go in taxi or auto-rickshaw but no speedy cycling on the busy roads.
Nonigopal:- What is there in life without speed? I believe in Speed, Speed and Speed. Without Speed, life is so boring.
Nayantara:- Nonigopal, there is an age old saying since the times of British era, ‘Speed thrills, but kills.’
Nagenchand:- Exactly, Noni…control that speedy attitude in you…always remember…slow and steady wins the race…otherwise, your condition will be like the rabbit and the tortoise will win the race.
Nonigopal:- Dad, in our young generation, the tortoise never sleeps and there is a slight modification in your statement, ‘Speedy and Steady wins the race.’
Nagenchand:- In 90% cases, you cannot have steadiness, while you are on a speedy mood. I am telling you this thing to you from my practical experience. Anyway, my orders are final. Go back to your study room now.
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Sajal:- Arrey, where are you people planning to go today after the school? You people were discussing about something.
Fatima:- Have you not got the news, yet?
Sajal:- What news!
Fatima:- Our Joseph has committed an accident with his new Hero Honda bike. He is in his house now with his right leg plastered. We are going to see him at his house today.
Sajal:- Ok, I will also go to see him.
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Joseph:- My goodness! What a surprise! I have never expected about it. Mom, they are all my school friends.
Joseph’s Mom:- Yeah! Yeah! They have all introduced themselves to me. See, they love you so much. They have come a long way to see you. All of you sit down and have gossips with Joseph. I will go and prepare tea and omelets for you all in the kitchen.
Srabanti:- You are so nice, aunty. Thanks!
Ganga:- Hey…Joseph! How all these happened, boss? You are a good biker. We never expected you to commit an accident.
Joseph:- Arrey…I am a good biker, naah! That’s why; I got carried away and tried to act like the filmy superstar, Rajnikanth on the streets of Kolkata. Two mini buses of the same route were racing with each other trying to overtake each other, but in that process, they were not giving me any side. I got angry somehow and waited for a gap. The moment I got a gap, I overtook the 2nd mini bus, but the 1st mini bus was also in a mood to block the other. In that process, somehow, one slight touch of the 1st mini bus was enough to take me and my bike towards the footpath. I was lucky that the taxi driver of the taxi just next to the 2nd mini bus put on the brakes at the right moment, else, I could have been spot dead there itself.
Ganga:- My God! Joseph bhaya! Don’t repeat it again.
Fatima:- What was the need to speed up with the bike on Kolkata roads!
Joseph:- Speed is speed. What is the use of riding a Hero Honda bike, if you will drive it like Hero-Puch moped?
Nonigopal:- No, no, Joseph. You should not speed up. Do you know that the speed thrills but kills? Slow and steady always wins the race.
Joseph:- Ok, ok, stop all these lectures. I may sell out this bike or if I ever ride on it, I will drive it slowly. Now, it’s ok with you people, naah!
Tiya:- Yeah! Yeah! Now, it is ok! Aunty has come with the tea cups and omelets. Wow! Aunty! The omelet is so tasty.
Joseph:- Orrey babah…satyi ekti Tiya botey…’Tiya Tiya Tiya..aj paraa gaayen thakey…tyaraa chokhey takaye Tiya..’
Tiya:- Na, ami moteyi tyaraa chokhey taakai naa…
Chinmoy:- Arrey, this song is from which film? ‘Hangshoraaj’ naah ?
Joseph’s Mom:- Yeah, yeah, you are right! Chaa thanda hoye jaabe…kheye naao…
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Mrs. Sohini Sen (Newly recruited Computer Teacher):- So, today, we have finished the chapter of ‘Flowcharts and Algorithms.’ Next day, we will learn the chapter on ‘Keywords, Variables & Syntax.’ Till now, if you have any doubt on this subject, just ask me.
Harpreet (Student of Class IX B):- Madam, can I ask a question which is related to computers but not with this chapter?
Mrs. Sohini Sen:- Yeah! Carry on! See, don’t limit your knowledge on computers within the syllabus of this ‘Additional Computers’ subject of Madhyamik Board. Computer is a very vast subject. Ask your question.
Harpreet:- Madam, everywhere, almost all the big MNCs or Banks are talking about the ‘Y2K’ problem. Even in the newspapers, every now and then, we are coming across this ‘Y2K’ issue? It is related to computer but how it is related, that I don’t understand.
Mrs. Sohini Sen:- Ok, I got your question. If I tell you to write the date of 28th January 1912 in a dd-mm-yy format, how will you write?
Ravishankar (Students of Class IX B):- Madam, let me answer. I will write it as 28-01-12.
Mrs. Sohini Sen:- Ok, fine! If I tell you to write the date of 28th January 2012 in a dd-mm-yy format, how will you write?
Harpreet:- I will write it as 28-01-12 only. Oho! Now, I understand. Actually, in the database of all companies, everyone has stored the last two digits of the year. That’s why; after 2000, this problem will arise. So, to solve this ‘Y2K’ problem, they will now store the entire four digits of a year in their database.
Mrs. Sohini Sen:- Excellent! Harpreet. You are right! But, this job of entering the four digits in all the files and database manually or electronically is not a job of one day. They have started it 2 years earlier to get it completely solved worldwide before 2000; else, it will become a nightmare for the data mining companies. Harpreet, you are a very intelligent girl. You must target to get more than 90% in this Additional Computers subject.
Harpreet:- Surely, madam! I will try my level best.
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Rikshit (Captain of Yellow House football team):- Look, this is the last year for both me and Dwaipayan. So, this is our last chance to win the Inter-House football tournament.
Dwaipayan (Vice –Captain of Yellow House football team):- Yeah! So, we all have to give the very best in all our matches.
Bairagi Sir:- Yes! Best of luck to all of you because this time I will not get a chance to act as a savior as a referee.
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Subir Sir:- For this year, you have been selected as the captain of the Blue House football team.
Ritwik:- I never expected it, but feeling good.
Subir Sir:- But, this time, we want the Inter-House football cup.
Ritwik:- Yes, Sir! We will try our level best.
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Mrs. Samaddar:- Don’t forget that we are defending champions. Focus on retaining the Cup.
Sid:- Don’t worry; madam. We are ready with our team.
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Mr. Richards:- This time, I will be the referee, but that does not mean that you will get some extra favor from me. This time, Red House has to give some tough competition to the other football teams. You are a new captain of this football team. I want you to lead from the front.
Vicky (New Captain of the Red House football team):- Sure, Sir! We are ready for it.
Mr. Richards:- accha, just have a look at the fixture. Next week, there are four matches; Red Vs Blue, Green Vs Yellow, Red Vs Green and Blue Vs Yellow. The match against the Green house will be a tough one, but, I want Red House to get full 3 points from the match against the Blue house. Best of Luck!
Vicky:- Thank you, Sir!
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Mr. Roland:- Mr. Sarbeswar Sarbadhikary, the President of the EPAC wants to bring some sponsors for all the matches of the Inter-House Football at the Eastern Park. We will get 10% amount of the total sponsorship value.
Subir Sir:- Not a bad proposal, Sir! It will motivate us to conduct more sports tournaments in that Park. Actually, it is a good initiative.
Mr. Roland:- Even, the EPAC is planning to go for a commentary of all football matches by their commentator Chintu. But, they also want to increase the time of each half of the football match to 30 minutes.
Bairagi Sir:- Football match will be tougher for our boys. They don’t have so much stamina, Sir!
Mr. Roland:- Let it be a tough tournament for them. We want to see the toughest team to emerge as a Champion team in this tournament. It will help us to create a strong football team of our school. Best of luck to them.
