Winners of the debate competition at Notre Dame Academy on Monday. Picture by Ashok Sinha

Patna, Oct. 24: Students from 11 schools in the state capital engaged in a verbal battle today in “Great Debate” organised by the Parents’ Teachers’ Association of Notre Dame Academy.

While students from classes VI to VIII took part in the junior-level competition, their seniors belonging to classes IX and X participated in the senior level.

Shivangi Shankar, a student of the host school, was awarded the best speaker in the senior category. Shivangi spoke on “Moral reticulate is not a contemporary handicap”.

“It is difficult to follow moral values. However, if we want to be successful in the long run, the ones with etiquettes always have the edge. The ones who choose to be immoral always face the consequences later in life,” Shivangi said. “Shortcut to success cuts short success,” she added.

Student of St Karen’s High School Devesh Anand was the second most promising speaker in the senior category.

“Most of our national leaders have achieved their positions certainly not because of their moral values but because they manipulated their thinking according to the circumstances in which they were in. No one categorises these leaders as right or wrong, but they are the ones who rule our country,” he said.

The topic for the juniors was “Parents have the right to decide their child’s future”.

Zain Zafar, a student of International School ICSE, who grabbed the award for the best speaker said: “Instead of parents choosing the careers for their wards, they should guide them with a vision and not impose their will upon the child.”

Four students — two each in the senior category and junior categories — represented each school. In both categories, one student spoke for the motion while the other spoke against it.

The host team was given Sister Jayshree Memorial Award in the senior category.