DPS RK Puram hosted the 15th Annual Dhruv Rajgarhia Memorial Debate on August 19. The debate is held every year in the memory of Dhruv Rajgarhia, a student of the school who passed away in 2002. Dhruv is fondly remembered as a keen sportsman, an enthusiastic debater, a peacemaker, and one with an unparalleled zest for living. The debate was instituted by his grandfather, Late Shri K L Rajgarhia in 2002 with an aim to promote debating skills amongst students and to hone and fine tune their oratorial skills. This year, 21 schools from all over Delhi and NCR participated in this prestigious debate.
Professor Anand Ranganathan, associate professor in the special centre for molecular medicine at Jawaharlal Nehru University; Ullekh NP, journalist and political commentator for OPEN magazine and Melbin Joe Mathew, renowned radio jockey, judged the competition. The vice principal, Padma Srinivasan and Mr and Mrs Rajgarhia, parents of Dhruv Rajgarhia were present on the occasion.
The event commenced with a welcome address by the vice principal who encouraged the students to make the best use of this platform. The topics were given on the spot. All the contestants presented immaculate arguments on topics such as ‘Industrialisation does not benefit the rural poor’ and ‘Collectivism should be preferred over individualism’ and quoted celebrated intellectuals such as Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg.
The judges applauded the participants and stressed on the increasing importance of debating in schools. The principal, Vanita Sehgal, the esteemed judges and Mr. and Mrs. Rajgarhia graced the prize distribution ceremony. In the individual category, the first position was bagged by DPS R.K. Puram, second by Springdales, Pusa Road and third by DPS International. The Best Interjector was awarded to Springdales school, Pusa Road who also won the Best Team.
The ceremony concluded with a vote of thanks by the school principal.
