JUDGING THE INTERNATIONAL INTER-UNIVERSITY DEBATE….

Utpal Chatterjee : kolkata, 14th. September 2023. JUDGING THE INTERNATIONAL INTER-UNIVERSITY DEBATE The venue was the St.Xavier’s College auditorium which has heard the best of speakers from from here and abroad for years.I have forgotten the number of times I have debated here since my early days at the University and WON.But this was the third (or the fourth?) occasion when I was requested to judge the International International Inter-University Debate.Some of the leading Universities like Oxford,Cambridge,Harvard and several others including competition from India debated with great fervour.Some like those from Oxford and Harvard debated with great zest.But,conspicuous by its absence,was instant wit that provides so much laughter and entertainment.Thanks to the Calcutta Debating Circle (CDC) that such a remarkable event was possible.Thanks to them for the invitation too.Personally,I remember having done very,very well at the All India Inter University Debating in 1969,’70 and ’71 and becoming National Champion thrice in a row.Such ‘international’ debates,sadly,were not in vogue those days.True,I have delivered lectures at several leading universities in the U.S.,Britain and even Malaysia.These were deep and profound.But there is no gainsaying that this International Debate did provide some “cerebral entertainment”.And,even here there was immense scope for improvement.At this age and stage,there always is.But debating here is,itself,an honour.Utpal Chatterjee*