"THE TELEGRAPH" (METRO) REPORT ON ORATIO 2012

Debate on media merits

Students of 13 city schools displayed their oratory skills at Oratio 2012, the 17th inter-school elocution competition organised by St. Anthony’s High School. The topic of the contest was “Does the media inform or deform young minds?” “Media plays a crucial role in society and such discussions make students aware and provide them with the right knowledge about media,” said Father Devraj Fernandes, the headmaster of St. Anthony’s High School, Market Street. Students spoke about how media could be a menace as well as a messiah. “Life is a fabricated story today, we are not just the target but active participants in mass media. It is because of media that Anna Hazare’s anti-corruption drive garnered so many supporters,” said Samudra Basu, a student at Don Bosco. “Reality shows plant false ideas in our mind,” said Sagnik Bhattacharya, a student at Apeejay School. Students also spoke about the role of social media in the recent Arab Spring and the Keenan-Reuben murder case. “Media helps shape and mould our personality,” said Ankita Poddar, a student of Loreto Day School, Dharamtala. The contest was judged by Salil Biswas, the editor-in-chief of academic journal Pegasus, Buroshiva Dasgupta, the programme director of development communication, Institute of Development Studies, Calcutta University, and Santanu Majumdar, associate professor of English at Calcutta University. Sparsh Agarwal of Don Bosco, Park Circus, was adjudged best speaker and Oindrilla Shaw of Loreto Day School, Sealdah, and Aditya Prasanna Bhattacharya of St. Xavier’s Collegiate School came second and third respectively. Don Bosco, Park Circus, won the championship trophy. Satish Kapoor, one of the founders of Punjabee Bradree, was the chief guest and Charlotte Simpson Veigas, senior lecturer in education at St. Xavier’s College, the guest of honour.