Guwahati: Reasoning and intellectual dialogue took centre stage at the 44th Manik Chandra Barooah Memorial National Debate Competition, which drew 58 participants from 30 institutions in India and Bhutan.Held at Cotton University’s Kalaguru Bishnu Prasad Rabha Auditorium, the competition featured teams from Royal Thimphu College, Delhi University, Jamia Millia Islamia, Amity University, Banaras Hindu University, CVM University, Mahila Mahavidyalaya, National Sports University and several institutions from Assam.The motion was: “In the Opinion of this House, Western AI frameworks adopted by developing nations will entrench technological monopoly and crush indigenous innovation ecosystems, consequently deepening the digital divide.”Abhinav Borgohain and Tufail Nisar of Delhi University were adjudged Best Team, while J B Law College’s Abhilash Kashyap and Agastya Kashyap won the title of the Second Best Team.Ankush Roy of Assam Engineering College was named Best Debater. Tezpur University’s Rahul Rohan Poul and Dibrugarh University’s Hasan Sabreen Rohman were named second and third Best Debaters, respectively. Nikhil Maheswari and Sabin Kumar Kalita won the Best Interjector and Second Best Interjector awards.The inaugural ceremony was attended by Union ports, shipping and waterways minister Sarbananda Sonowal as chief guest, Aasu president Utpal Sharma as guest of honour, and Cotton University vice-chancellor Prof Ramesh Chandra Deka, registrar (in charge) Dr Hiren Deka, director of students’ welfare Dr Gunendra Chandra Das and organising committee convener Dr Akunthita Barthakur.Sonowal said debate, discussion and decision-making were essential to a strong democracy. He cautioned against excessive reliance on AI and stressed the importance of human connection and innovation. He also called for economic growth without compromising ecology and urged students to exercise their freedom of expression.Vice-chancellor Deka said debate encouraged ideas, reasoning, questioning and intellectual dialogue. He compared it with scientific thinking, saying both relied on curiosity, evidence, logic and a willingness to change one’s view when faced with a stronger argument.Sarma highlighted Cotton College’s contribution to society and called for Cotton University to be included among the three Centres of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence proposed by the Centre.“This competition in particular, and Cotton College as an institution in general, has always professed, propagated and promoted the subtle art of questioning the establishment. It has paved the way for the exchange of ideas and recognised public opinion as instrumental in bringing about change in society,” Sarma said.The inaugural session began with a welcome address by registrar (in charge) Dr Hiren Deka, followed by an overview of the competition by Dipom Saha, secretary of the debate and symposium section of the Cotton University Students’ Union and organising secretary of the event.
