Late KPS Chauhan Memorial Inter-School Debate Competition

Where Youth’s Voices Shine: SJC hosts Inter-School Debate Competition

“Debating is not about winning or losing, its about learning and growing.” -Anonymous

Debating provides a platform for students to engage in intellectual discourse, challenge perspectives, and develop critical thinking skills. On 26th April, 2025, St. Joseph’s College organised the Late KPS Chauhan Memorial Inter-School Debate Competition for the holistic and all round development of the students. 

The event began with the welcoming of the Most Rev. Bishop Louis Mascarenhas, our Principal, Rev. Fr. Walter D’Silva, the Middle School Administrator Rev. Fr. Gladwin Fernandes, the Additional Administrator Mr. A. McGowan, the Senior-Staff Coordinator, Mr. J. Dube, Faculty Coordinator and School Counsellor, Mrs. A. Ranjan, our Chief Guest, Hon’ble Mr. Justice Saumitra Dayal Singh, Special Guests, Mrs. Monica Singh, and Hon’ble Mrs. Justice Manju Rani Chauhan, who was also the Organiser for the debate, accompanied by the Judges, Ms. Anshuka Srivastava, Major Ranjan Srivastava and the Moderator for the event, Dr. Linda Shane Gaffney. Other guests for the event were former teachers of the College , Mr.S.N.Abbas Rizvi and Mr.Rakesh Sharma and the grandson of Late K. P. S. Chauhan,Aaryan Chauhan.

To invoke God’s blessings, a prayer was recited by Prakhar Kesarwani followed by the Lighting of the Lamp after which saplings were presented to the dignitaries.

Major Ranjan Srivastava then took the stage to highlight the sterling qualities of the legendary Physics teacher, Late Mr.K.P.S.Chauhan, such as discipline, punctuality, stress on a well-groomed persona besides having a great command of his subject. A soft-spoken gentleman, he had the ability to nurture and mould the character and the personality of all his students, with a perfect blend of strictness and compassion.

The dignitaries were then introduced to the gathering. The Chief Guest, Hon’ble Mr. Justice Saumitra Dayal Singh, started his career in 1992 after graduating in Law from APS University, Rewa, and is currently serving as the Administrative Judge for the district of Varanasi, Allahabad High Court, after having had an illustrious career all through.

The Bishop, Most Rev. Louis Mascarenhas, who is the Bishop of the Diocese of Allahabad, was also the Principal from 2005-2014 and the Director of the Nazareth Hospital from 2020-2023.

The Organiser for the event was Hon’ble Mrs. Justice Manju Rani Chauhan, who is the Administrative Judge of the Pratapgarh District, at the Allahabad High Court. She began her legal journey after graduating from Allahabad University, enrolling as an advocate in 1995, with remarkable expertise in Civil, Criminal, Service and Education Law.

The first judge of the programme was Dr. (Ms.) Anushka Srivastava, who is currently working as a Professor in the Mechanical Engineering Department. The second judge of the programme was Major Ranjan Srivastava, an alumnus of St. Joseph’s College. He has served in the Rajputana Rifles Regiment of the Indian Army and as Special Council in the Allahabad High Court. The moderator of the programme was Dr. (Mrs.) Linda Shane Gaffney, who is currently working as a Lecturer at St. Joseph’s College.

In his address to the gathering, the Bishop congratulated everyone involved in the organisation and execution of the programme. He exalted the virtues of late K.P.S. Chauhan, a great mentor and a wonderful teacher. He advised the students to give their best with the intention to win but not feel discouraged by any failure because every experience helps them to learn valuable lessons for the future.

The rules for the Debate Competition were then informed to the gathering after which the competition began with full energy and enthusiasm. The first category was the Junior Category for the students of Classes 9th and 10th. The topic given to them was, “Climate Change and Science: Technology is a Solution not a Problem.”

The Principal in his speech, thanked the Bishop for approving a programme which is aimed at the holistic development of students. He hoped and prayed that the students will benefit tremendously from such a well-organised cultural event.

The second category was the Senior Category, for the students of classes 11th and 12th. The topic given to them was, “The Legacy of Great Scientists: Science must be driven by curiosity and not commercial interests.”

The Chief Guest in his speech remarked how grateful he was to Late K.P.S.Chauhan for being such an inspiring teacher. He thanked Hon.Justice Manju Rani Chauhan for extending the invite to him. He stressed upon how child is the father of man and it was great to hear young students articulate their thoughts. More than free speech, it is the willingness to hear other people out and the ability to tolerate or accept their perspectives, which remains the bedrock of any democracy. That is how one shows respect to the Constitution of India.

In her speech, the Chairperson of the Literary Association, Ms.A. J. D’Cruz further expressed her profound gratitude to Honourable Justice Manju Rani Chauhan for acknowledging the priceless legacy of her father in whose memory the Debate Competition was organised. She motivated all the students to always honour their parents as it is they who shape our lives with their love and sacrifices.

The Organiser for the Debate, Hon’ble Mrs. Justice Manju Rani Chauhan in her subsequesnt speech reminisced about her late father, a luminary par excellence for thirty five years, Late K.P.S.Chauhan who embodied the best virtues the institution stands for. She was also deeply thankful to the entire management, the teachers of past and present and also the students exhorting the citizens of the future to always listen to their parents, because they are the biggest well-wishers.

A wonderful student and the grandson of Late K. P. S. Chauhan, Aaryan Singh, talked about how discipline and compassion are what makes a person truly great. He shared an anecdote how his late grandfather would instil a sense of ethics and fierce pride in each generation of Josephites, teaching them lessons in humility and patience.

Finally, after the Vote of thanks, the National Anthem was sung after which the programme came to an end with high tea for guests and participants.

Needless to say, it was the concerted efforts of Mr.Shirish Chandra, an alumnus of the 2013 Batch, the force conceiving and executing the event, which made the programme a grand success. The combined hardwork of Shayaan, Kshitij, Prakhar, Pramit and Abhishek under the expert tutelage of Ms.A.J.D’Cruz ensured that everyone enjoyed the battle of wits.