STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: The Law School, University of Jammu team comprising Kritika Sethi and Swikriti Mahajan, lifted the 13th Veeranna Aivalli Memorial Inter-Collegiate/Departmental Debating Trophy on Saturday.
The competition was organised by Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA), J and K Regional Branch in collaboration with Department of Students Welfare, University of Jammu.
The debate was organized on the theme “In the Opinion of the House and “Quality and not Quantity of Higher Education is the key to National Building”.
Zain-ul-Abdeen Banday from Department of Political Science, University of Jammu clinched the first prize whereas Snam Khan from Government Women College, Gandhi Nagar and Dhruvika Pandita from Government College of Engineering and Technology, Jammu bagged the second and third prize, respectively.
The winners were presented cash prizes amounting to Rs. 2,500, Rs. 2,000 and Rs 1,500, respectively.
The consolation prizes amounting to Rs 1,000 each were awarded to Kritika Sethi and Swikriti Mahajan from The Law School, University of Jammu.
Twenty three teams from various departments and affiliated colleges of university participated in the competition.
Additional Director General of Police, Headquarter, Dr. S.P. Vaid was the Chief Guest whereas Vice-Chancellor, University of Jammu, Prof. R.D Sharma was the Guest of Honour.
Swarna Aivalli, wife of late Aivalli was also present on this occasion.
Dr. Vaid said that that the role of education is to amplify the process of betterment of the society. He said that emphasis should be laid on creating skill, knowledge and awareness about the national heritage while protecting the values of nationalism, pluralism and securalism.
Comparing India with China, he said that there is a need to bring in systematic change ensuring the removal of structural anomalies so that the objectives of both quality and quantity are met in a planned manner.
Prof. R.D Sharma said that the topic of today’s debate is of the great relevance to current scenario of the country like India which has more than 700 universities and out of which one-third universities are sick because they are not following academic calendar which result in delay in examinations henceforth leading to deterioration of academics.
Vice Chancellor said that to ensure quality, university requires the support of government, politicians, civil society and think tankers.
Prof Sharma said that the participating teams must have learned how to remain competitive and no doubt only few have won but those have lost are also winners in their own way as there would have been no competition in their absence.
Chairman, IIPA, Dr. Ashok Bhan, paid rich tributes to late Veeranna Aivalli, a senior decorated and well respected police officer and former Honorary Secretary of the Regional Branch of the IIPA.
Hony. Secretary, IIPA, J and K Regional Branch, J.B.S Johar presented the vote of thanks.
Prof. Deepshika Kotwal, Dr. C.M Seth and Jagdish Chander were the adjudicators while Anju Thappa and Shivani Rana acted as Rapporteurs.
The proceedings were conducted by Prof Alka Sharma, Director (Seminars), IIPA while debate was anchored by Arjun Jaral and Krishma Mengi.
Amongst others, Prof. Pankaj K. Srivastava, Dean Students Welfare, M.M Khajooria, DGP (retd), Kuldeep Khuda, Chief Vigilance Commissioner, A.C Chaturvedi, DGP (retd), various serving and retired police officers, members of IIPA, faculty members of university and various colleges, officers, scholars, students and members of civil society were also present on the occasion.