Call to build society based on logic

Participants of the 'Mutual Trust Bank-The Daily Star Debate Contest 2009' pose for photo with the guests at the inaugural ceremony of the competition at the auditorium of Theatre Institute, Chittagong (TIC) yesterday.Photo: STAR

The 'Mutual Trust Bank-The Daily Star Debate Contest 2009' kicked off in the port city yesterday with a call to build a society based on logic and reasoning.
Organised by Drishty, a cultural organisation, the weeklong event features 17th inter-school debate contest, 2nd children debate contest and 6th inter-university debate contest. Drishty has been organising the debate contest since 1993.
Speakers at the inaugural ceremony urged the young generation to look at things logically and not to accept anything without question in order to establish truth in every sphere of society.
Mahfuz Anam, editor and publisher of The Daily Star, inaugurated the competition as the chief guest at a ceremony at the auditorium of Theatre Institute, Chittagong (TIC).
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, Resident Editor of the Prothom Alo poet Abul Momen urged the young generation to be a bit more sceptical about everything and not to accept anything without verifying them through logic.
Liberal outlook as well as respect for others' opinions can help overcome all confusions and bring about development and progress of the country, he added.
Mahfuz Anam called on the students to develop the habit of using logic and consider every aspect of an issue in order to take the right decision.
Such practice of reaching decisions on the basis of logic would lead to success in every field, he added.
He also urged them to always consider others' opinion before coming to a conclusion.
Anam called for using information to find out newer ways to move forward.
He also emphasised the need to change oneself first to bring changes to society.
It is a common phenomenon that everybody always blames others but remains indifferent to their own responsibilities and refrain from correcting or changing himself, he said.
Deputy Commissioner Farid Uddin Ahmed Chowdhury called on the authorities of different schools to create scopes for students to develop their talents through extra-curricular activities.
He also assured that the administration would provide all-out help in arranging debate competitions at upazila levels.
Senior Vice-President of Mutual Trust Bank Md Nazrul Islam said that as part of the bank's corporate social responsibilities, they always try to contribute to such activities that help students develop their various qualities.
Drishty Adviser and Principal of Sunshine Grammar School and College Safia Gazi Rahman and Vice President Rashedul Amin also spoke at the inaugural ceremony presided over by Drishty President Masud Bakul.
Drishty General Secretary Saif Chowdhury moderated the programme.
ATN Bangla and Radio Foorti are the media partners and Equity Properties Management Limited is a sponsor of the competition.
The participating schools are Chittagong Govt High School, Dr Khastagir Govt Girls' High School, Nasirabad Govt Boys' High School, BAF Shaheen College, Chittagong Collegiate School, St. Placid's High School, Government Muslim High School, Kapashgola City Corporation Girls' high School, Aparanacharan City Corporation Girls' High School, Emaratunnesa City Corporation Girls High school, City Govt Girls' High School, Agrabad Govt. Girls' High School, Silver Bells Girls' High School, Kadam Mobarak City Corporation School, Chittagong Residencial School and College, Ankur Society School and BN School and College.
Ispahani Public School and College, Krishnachura Girls' High School, Agrabad Girls' School, Nasirabad Govt. Boys' High School, Dr Khastagir Govt Girls' High School, St. Placid's High School, City Govt Girls High School, Silver Bells Girls' High School, Chittagong Government High School and Kapashgola City Corporation School will take part in the children debate competition.
At the university level competition, the participating institutions include Chittagong University, Dhaka University, Jahangirnagar University, Rajshahi University, North South University, Premier University, Chittagong University of Science and Technology, International Islamic University of Chittagong, University of Science and Technology, Chittagong, Chittagong Maa O Shishu Hospital Medical College.