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Most colleges in our country have Debating Societies. They are organized by students with the help of their teachers. Each society will have a secreatary and other office - bearers.
We have a very good example of a debate in Milton's great epic "Paradise Lost" (Book II). In the Debate at Pandemonium, Satan presides and the other fallen angles like Belial make speaches. At leangth all of them vote unanimously for the plan suggested by Beelzebub to destroy mankind. Thus they can take revenge on God.
Man alone, of all animals, has the ability ofr verbal communication and it is through this quality of speech, says Dorothy Garnegie, that he best expresses his own individuality, his essence. Debating Societies develop the talents of students. They help them to get rid of their nervousness, timidity or foggy thought-processes. They nurture their critical acumen and the ability to put forward congent arguments.
'Confercence' makes one a ready man, according to Francis Bacon, the father of English essay. By 'conference' Bacon means discussion, debate. A subject that is discussed in the society may be new to some students. But by listening to the lively debate, they will be able to understand it much better . At times famous speakers and writers are brought and they address the students. The students benefit very much from their speeches. Inter-collegiate debates and quiz programmes are also conducted.
Mock-parliaments are also held by the societies. From each class a representative of students is elceted and he becomes an M.P. There is a Prime Minister as the head of the Cabinet which will 'Sink or Swim' together. There is an opposition leader and he has rank of a Cabinet Minister. The Speaker is elected by the M.Ps. he conducts the proceedings of the House. The members ask interpellations and the Minister concerned gives replies. At times the Speaker takes the Ministers to task for their failure in furnishing all the details required in the questions. if any M.P. speaks unruly and defies the authority of the Speaker, he is suspended from Parliament for a few days. The Speaker often refers to the conventions that are followed by the British Parliament, the mother of parliaments. he also tells the M.Ps. the importance of the Feroze Gandhi Act. Under no circumantances does he allow the M.Ps. to deviate from the procedure followed in Parliament. In this he is really a martinet.
The members spend all their time talking. The very name "Parliament' from the old French 'parle-le-ment' or 'speak the mind' affords the best clue to its nature. To quote Maurice Cangton, democracy is a form of government by discussion. Thus mock-parliaments give the students a good insight into the working of parliament.
In short, the Debating Societies make the students good speakers. Their minds become broader and their views more tolerant. They sharpen their intellect and stimuulate their imagination. They also educate them.
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| Author: Vidya 23 May 2008 | Member Level: Diamond Points : 2 |
useful topic
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| Author: Sushil Kumar Patial 26 May 2008 | Member Level: Gold Points : 2 |
Thank you Vidaya for Your encouraging nature. I will try my best to write more and more on various topics. I am writing on the ISC for two reasons. First is: Improving my writing skill and 2nd is: To make money part time. Thanks agains dear.
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| Author: Shinu 31 May 2008 | Member Level: Gold Points : 2 |
Great To Know about it. I have been interested in this and happy to read more about it.Thanks for the information
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| Author: Sushil Kumar Patial 02 Jun 2008 | Member Level: Gold Points : 2 |
Thank you Shinu for Your encouraging nature. I will try my best to write more and more on various topics. I am writing on the ISC for two reasons. First is: Improving my writing skill and 2nd is: To make money part time. Thanks agains dear.
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