Governor N.N. Vohra attended the concluding session of an Inter-School Debating Competition organised by the Tribune Group of Newspapers in collaboration with the Kashmir Harvard Educational Institute, Srinagar, here today.The topic of the debate was “Googlelisation: Thumbs up or Thumbs down.” 12 schools from Srinagar participated in this Debating Competition.Ist prize of Rs. 6000 was won by Babar Bilal from Delhi Public School, 2nd prize of Rs. 4000 was won by Ana FirdousShah, Presentation Convent School, 3rd prize of Rs. 3000 was won by Bareen Ishtiyaq Sheikh from Iqra Educational Institute.First Consolation Prize was won by Haya Javaid from Kashmir Harvard Educational Institute, Second Consolation Prize was won by Muntaha Nazir Wani, New Bonvivant School, Eidgah, and Third Consolation Prize was bagged by Ifla Amin from the Legends School of Education, Kanitar. The award for the Best School Team was won by Presentation Convent Higher Secondary School.Complimenting the organisers for providing an attractive oppurtunity to the students to express their views on an interesting topic, Governor observed that such contests help the students to develop confidence to express their thoughts in a clear and coherent manner.
Emphasising the importance of such co- curricular activities in the holistic development of the students, Governor observed that he has instituted Silver Rolling Trophies for Annual Declamation Contests in the various Universities and some colleges in the State, as such events particularly provide opportunities to students from remote areas of the State.Expressing his views on the topic of the Debate Governor observed that while all technological innovations have their pros and cons it is important that we must achieve rapid progress in the Science and Technology arena.Lauding the talent of the students, Governor observed that if given the required opportunities and a conducive environment, youth of the State has the capability of achieving excellent results, in every arena, on a pan India basis.
Governor noted that despite the serious difficulties faced in the past years, J&K youth is coming up very well and there has been a very impressive increase in the number of our youth who are getting selected for the various All India and Central Services.Governor lauded the Tribune Group of Newspapers for their valuable contribution towards objective journalism for the past nearly 130 years and appealed to the Editor in Chief to organise such competitions on a regular basis, for the overall benefit of J&K youth.Sh. Aijaz Mohammad Sheikh, HoD, Linguistic School of Arts, Language and Literature, University of Kashmir, and Er. Maroof Naieem Qadri, HoD, Directorate of IT, University of Kashmir, presented their views on the occasion.The Welcome Address was presented by Sh. Mubashir Ahmad, Convener and Vote of Thanks was given by Sh. Arun Joshi, Resident Editor, The Tribune.Sh. Harish Khare, Editor in Chief, The Tribune; Sh. Tariq Ahmad Bakhtoo, Chairman of the Kashmir Harvard Educational Institute and Sh. Vinay Verma, GM of the Tribune were among those present on the occasion.