The Frank Anthony Memorial All-India Inter School Debate Competition
The Frank Anthony Memorial All-India Inter School Debate Competition
“The aim of argument, or of discussion, should not be victory, but progress.”
– Joseph Joubert
14th of July, 2025proved to be a red letter day in the history of St.Joseph’s College, Prayagraj, when it received the esteemed opportunity to host the Frank Anthony Memorial All-India Inter School Debate Competition Stage-1 Category-1 forperchance the first time in its140 years’ history.
Commencing with the welcome of the participants and guests by the Master of Ceremony, the College Captain, Arishh Abraham Aalam, the battle of wits proceeded with the lighting of the lamp by the Principal, Rev. Fr. Walter D’Silva, the Moderator,Mr. Vinayak Tandon along with the three judges,Prof. Sarvajit Mukherji,Dr. Immanuel Premkumar and Dr. Sonal Shankar.
As no event can commence truly in spirit without invoking the blessings of God, Jason D’Cruze led the audience in a prayerful mood. A melodious hymn conducted by the College Choir served to create a soothing ambience for the entire audience.
In his welcome address, the Principal Rev. Fr. Walter D’Silvawarmly welcomed the dignitaries, the participants, and the teachers, highlighting the role of debates in students’ holistic development. He emphasised upon how debating broadens thinking and nurtures skills like public speaking, active thinking, time management, and teamwork. He stressed that it involves expressing views, listening respectfully,presenting oneself with dignity and integrity, and helps participants assimilate opposing points of view with clarity. He threw light upon the genius of the late Frank Anthony, a great educationist, parliamentarian. Such is his legacythat this annual mega event enhances analytical thinking, research gathering, public speaking, and time management, as evidenced by the participation of 1600 schools, making the Frank Anthony Memorial Debate Competition the second largest in India. It follows the Indian Debate League in scale and significance.
Introduction to the judges:
Prof. Sarvajit Mukerji is a professor in the Department of English and Modern European Languages at the University of Allahabad. His areas of interest include Feminism and Ecocriticism, with over 30 papers published in national and international journals. He has supervised more than 25 Ph.D. theses and authored notable works like “The Poet and His Times: A Study on T.S. Eliot.” Additionally, he has edited textbooks and completed a sabbatical project on Ruskin Bond.
Dr. Immanuel Premkumar, a cultural historian and academic at St. Philomena’s College, Mysore, with a Ph.D. in English from Agra University. He has completed an M.Phil. and an M.A. with a gold medal, his research focusses on science and society, impacting young minds since 2005. He has authored several books and numerous papers, contributing to academic journals and edited volumes. His work includes undergraduate and postgraduate teaching, with a notable emphasis on fostering critical thinking and interdisciplinary studies.
Dr. Sonal Shankar, an Associate Professor in the Law Department at the University of Allahabad, with over 18 years of teaching experience. She completed her graduation, Masters, and Ph.D. (on Domestic Violence and Sexual Harassment of Women at theworkplace) from the University of Delhi in 2010. Her areas of specialisation include Contract, Administrative law, and Gender Studies, and she is in charge of the legal cell and the 5-year law course. She has published over 30 research papers and served as a resource person in various seminars and workshops.
The rules and the format for the event were then enumerated bythe Moderator, Mr. Vinayak Tandon,in meticulous detail. A competition which truly tests the debating prowess of brilliant orators, saw a total of five teams comprising ten students, debate on the topic - “AI in education will widen the gap between the privileged and the underprivileged”.
The participating schools were:
•St. Mary's Convent Inter College, Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh
•Holy Cross School, Ballia, Uttar Pradesh
•SheilingHouse School, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh
•St. John's Co. - Ed. School, Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh
•William Henry Smith Memorial School, Sigra, Uttar Pradesh
In a brilliant yet brief speech, the Moderator Mr. Vinayak Tandon encouraged everyone to give one ‘s best to every opportunity as greatness is achieved only through relentless toil. Afterall, in life we regret not what we do but what we have not done.
After the debate, the Moderator urged students to come onto the stage and deliver an impromptu speech on a topic of their choice in an attempt to encourage students to face their fears.
Best teamSt. John's Co-ed, Prayagraj- E
1stRunnerup team -Sheiling House School, Kanpur - B
2nd Runner up team – St. Mary’s Convent, Prayagraj - A
Best speaker – Rudransh Singh (Sheiling House School) – B
1st Runner up - Janvi Singh (St. John’s Co-ed School)– E
2nd Runner up - Anushka Malik (St. Mary’s Convent School) – A
Best Team:St. John's Co-ed, Prayagraj
Team E
Janvi Singh
Devanshi Bajaj
The programme concluded with a succinct vote of thanks by the College Head Marshal,Sarvagya Pathak and the singing of the National Anthem by everyone.
