A colorful rally was brought out from the district administration premises at 8am today in Magura. Photo : BSS

MAGURA, Aug 29, 2025 (BSS)- With great enthusiasm and festivity, the Inter-School Debate Festival-2025 was held in Magura, organised by the Sadar Upazila Administration today. 

A colorful rally was brought out from the district administration premises at 8am and ended at Nomani Maidan after parading the main streets of the town. A total of 25 secondary schools from Sadar upazila participated in the event. 

Later, the inaugural ceremony was held at the District Auditorium, presided over by Deputy Commissioner Md. Ohidul Islam. 

Director General (DG) of Bangladesh Television Md. Mahbubul Alam attended the event as the chief guest while AKM Shoaeb, chairman of the National Debate Federation, prominent debate personality of Khulna region Takdirul Gani and Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md. Hasibul Hasan were present as special guests. 

Speakers at the event said apart from music, acting, drama, or recitation, debate is a unique independent art form. Through debate, students can freely express their thoughts and arguments. Debate not only develops talent but also broadens students' knowledge, enhances analytical ability, and boosts self-confidence, they added. 

Throughout the daylong festival, children presented "International Children's Comic Debate" while secondary students participated in traditional and extempore debates. 

The programme was supported by the Magura Adarsha Debate Association.

Bishal Rahman, a ninth-grade student of Berail Palita Secondary School, said, "Debate is such a free platform where we can present our thoughts in front of everyone through logical arguments." 

Another ninth-grade student Fatema Yasmin said, "Debate is one of the best means of expressing creative talent. Through it, we can present any topic with logic and express our thoughts clearly." 

Other students also stated that debate helps to express their opinions freely and inspires them to engage more in knowledge-seeking. 

The daylong festival concluded with a colourful cultural programme. A festive atmosphere prevailed among the students throughout the event.