by Namrata Goddeti for BIS Mumbai

A debate competition for Classes XI and XII was held on October 3, 2024, at the Don Bosco School and Junior College, Nasik. It was organized by the teachers of Junior College under the able guidance of the principal, Fr Rixson.  The event took place in the Parish Hall.  

The students were engaged in a thought-provoking and stimulating debate on the topic: "Pro-Life vs Pro-Choice. “Pro-life, in essence, is the stance that all life is sacred, emphasizing the protection of unborn children. It advocates for the right to life from conception, holding that every human life has inherent value. On the other hand, Pro-choice centres on the autonomy of women, defending their right to make decisions regarding their own bodies, including the choice of whether or not to continue a pregnancy. Both positions hold strong ethical and moral implications, making it a highly relevant topic for debate.

The debate commenced with the warm welcome of the esteemed judges: Fr Felix, Fr Jaslin, Sister Supriya, Teachers Sneha and Pallavi, Mrs Yashita Chandiramani- a dedicated parent and the Principal, Fr Rixson Nigrel. After their introductions and felicitation with tokens of appreciation by school representatives, Teacher Ashoo Verma, the event moderator, provided a brief introduction to the topic and introduced the team members.

The competition saw eight enthusiastic participants, four supporting the Pro-life stance and four defending Pro-choice. Each team presented their arguments through well-researched speeches, with the opening speakers laying the foundation for their respective sides, followed by the contributions of substantiating speakers. The final remarks came from the concluding speakers. 

Lastly, the debate moved into a lively rebuttal round, where participants skilfully challenged opposing viewpoints, employing logic and critical reasoning. This was followed by the audience round wherein both judges and students posed thought-provoking questions to the debaters. The debaters responded to the questions in an impressive, convincing and enthusiastic manner, leaving a strong impression on the audience.  

In his address, Fr Felix expressed his appreciation for the efforts put in by the students and praised their well-prepared presentations. He shared his views on the debate's central theme, explaining that Pro-Life emphasizes the sacredness of all life, while Pro-Choice focuses on women's autonomy and freedom. He left the audience with a thought-provoking question: What comes first, life or freedom? Fr Felix also recounted a real-life story about Cristiano Ronaldo, whose mother had initially considered aborting him. However, she changed her mind after feeling that God spoke to her, and today, Ronaldo is celebrated as one of the greatest football players in history. 

Following Fr Felix's remarks, the Principal, Fr Rixson, extended his congratulations to the college teachers and the supervisor for organizing the debate competition. He also commended the participants for their dedication, research, and presentation of arguments. Fr Rixson took the opportunity to thank the judges for their valuable time and insights. The event concluded with the announcement of the results. The team supporting Pro-Choice secured first place and was awarded a trophy, medals, and certificates, while the team advocating for Pro-Life also received the runner-up trophy, along with medals and certificates. Teacher Satvinder proposed the vote of thanks. This event left a lasting impression, fostering intellectual growth and critical thinking among all attendees.