Nagpur collegian wins ‘Speak For India’ debate

Nagpur collegian Utkarsh Rathi (22) won the Federal Bank `Speak for India,’ Maharashtra edition debate in association with the Times of India was won.

The debate saw eight contestants from various colleges across the state who voiced their opinions on subjects like `regionalism’, ‘ban on use of Chinese goods’ and ‘responsibility of celebrities for the products they endorse’ at the competition’s grand finale held in Mumbai. Participants were allowed to choose their preferred language among Marathi, English and Hindi.

The second position was bagged by Swapnil Chaudhari from Ayurveda College, Pune. He also won the award for the `most popular speaker’. The judges for the final round of debate included actor Samrouddhi Porey , IES Management College and Research Centre di rector Dinesh Harsolekar and St Xavier’s College principal Agnelo Menezes

The eight contestants were selected from more than 50,000 participants across the state.. “The way the contestants were expressing themselves showed that they spoke from the heart and for India. When we see such youngsters, we know that India’s future is secure,” said chief minister Devendra Fadnavis who presented the awards. “Leadership is all about communication, the ability to inspire,” he said. Actor Anupam Kher and Miss India Universe 2016 Roshmitha Harimurthy . Rathi took home a prize of Rs one lakh, Rs 2 lakh as scholarship and a prize of Rs50,000 for his college, Ramdev Baba College of Engineering and Management, Nagpur.