Lucknow: Ideas clashed, arguments sharpened and young voices took centre stage as the 79th Inter-Martiniere Debate unfolded at La Martiniere Girls’ College, Lucknow. Bringing together spirited debaters from La Martiniere Girls’ College, Lucknow, and La Martinière for Girls, Kolkata, the event transformed the auditorium into a lively arena of wit, reason and eloquence.
At the heart of the debate was a question that sits firmly at the crossroads of technology and human relationships: “Social Media Has Replaced Genuine Human Connections.” The motion invited participants to look beyond the convenience of digital communication and examine whether likes, messages and virtual interactions are gradually replacing the warmth and depth of face-to-face relationships.
The young speakers rose to the challenge with confidence, presenting carefully constructed arguments while responding to opposing viewpoints with poise and precision. The exchange was marked by sharp rebuttals, persuasive rhetoric and thoughtful observations, with both sides exploring the many contradictions of life in an increasingly connected yet seemingly more distant world.
Guiding and evaluating the proceedings was a distinguished panel of adjudicators. The jury comprised Vipra Srivastava, a professional in business development and education management at Tata ClassEdge; Dr. Vineet Maxwell David, Professor of English and Modern Languages at the University of Lucknow; and Professor Ranu Uniyal, bilingual poet and Chief Editor of PYSSUM.
Beyond the competition itself, the debate offered students an opportunity to engage critically with an issue that directly shapes their everyday lives. The speakers demonstrated not only command over language and public speaking but also an ability to analyse a contemporary social phenomenon from multiple perspectives.
After a closely fought contest, La Martinière for Girls, Kolkata, emerged victorious, successfully defeating the motion. Lavanya Jain of the Kolkata team was adjudged Best Speaker for her impressive command of the subject, articulation and debating skills.
The competitive spirit eventually gave way to celebration at the Prize Distribution Ceremony, where the achievements of the participants were recognised. The event concluded with a Vote of Thanks by Lady Principal A. Dass, who expressed her gratitude to the distinguished judges, participating students and all those whose efforts contributed to the success of the 79th Inter-Martiniere Debate.
More than a contest of opposing viewpoints, the event was a celebration of young minds finding their voices. In an age dominated by digital conversations, the debate itself served as a reminder that the ability to listen, question, reason and speak with conviction remains one of the most powerful forms of genuine human connection.
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