Debaters Take Center Stage

 

--By Aarati Raghuvanshi

 

In a country with where the younger generation is barely aware of their rights, responsibilities and strength, ‘Nepal’s Top 7 Debaters’ is a show that is on its way to change this mindset for good. Produced by Today’s Youth Asia, a youth led organisation overseen by its president, Santosh Shah, the TV series is one of the very few platforms where Nepali students are encouraged to voice their opinions on a national level. Launched in July 2012 and successfully on its way to its third season, this annual debate show attracts viewers throughout the country. The show has also achieved recognition as the world’s first reality television show based on a debate theme. 

 

The Constituent Assembly formed in 2008 was dissolved in 2012 without delivering a constitution. At a time when Nepal’s political, social, and economic development is at halt, the show has become a medium to address public concerns. Megan Titley, a part of the live audience says, “It’s great to get young people, especially girls, out there thinking, analysing, and adding to the conversation about topical issues.” With thought-provoking topics such as whether Nepal should focus on Asia or the West for its economic prospects and if the Nepal government should ban the privatisation and exploitation of its natural resources, the platform gives space to Nepalese youth to discuss current affairs. 

 

The show has also been rated as one of high calibre by visiting judges from all over the world. On an episode where the motion for debate was ‘Peace is possible without justice’, one of the judges, Dr. Dee Aker from the University of San Diego in California, praised tenth grade finalist Anuska Pant saying, “I’m very impressed and am not sure if I have university students that would do half as well as you did in the topic.” As for another finalist, Urusha Silwal of grade twelve, fellow judge Dr. Lilia Velasquez from California Western School of Law said, “I wish that my law students had half the passion that you do while debating.”

 

“After the Constituent Assembly was dissolved in May 2012, there was a dearth of public discourse for grave national issues, and my team and I thought that a debate series on a national channel, where concerned citizens can fearlessly voice their findings and opinion, would fill in the need very well,” says producer Shah. 

 

Participants are solely judged by Shah and two alternating judges. Claire Naylor, a judge for one of the episodes says, “Everyone has their own standard and way of judging, but we all look for the same things from a participant - content, clarity and confidence. Other notable aspects of the show included the fact that the production team is made entirely of people in their 20s. Show producer Mandira Raut and the entire production team are in their 20s while anchors and the research team are even younger.

 

Nepal’s Top 7 Debaters has and continues to provide young debaters a powerful platform to raise genuine concerns of common people that are often missed out in discussions in parliament. It is indeed heart-warming and inspiring to see an organisation that recognises and values the role of the youth in our society.

(Aarati Raghuvanshi is an undergraduate student at Boston College, USA. To watch the debate episodes: www.youtube.com/Top7Debaters)