Photo: BSS

RANGPUR, Sept 11, 2026 (BSS) - The National Debate Federation Bangladesh (NDF BD) organised the seventh Divisional Debate Festival 2026 at the Rangpur Cantonment Public School and College auditorium in the city on Thursday.
 
As many as six hundred students from 50 secondary and higher secondary level educational institutions from all over Rangpur division participated in this day-long event arranged with the theme "The light of argument in the northern breeze". 
 
NDF BD Chairman AKM Shoaib inaugurated the festival while Principal of Rangpur Cantonment Public School and College Colonel Mohammad Ahsanul Kabir addressed the assembly as the chief guest. 
 
The festival featured training sessions on various debate formats, including national and international styles, parliamentary debate, British Parliamentary debate, and the World format, as well as discussions on AI and 
the future of debating. 
 
Additionally, the event included impromptu speeches, quizzes, public speaking sessions, and exhibition debates. 

In his speech, the NDF BD Chairman said, "We believe that building a society grounded in argument will help eliminate negative cultural trends, religious fanaticism and superstition. 
 
"We need the strength of argument, not the argument of force. The National Debate Forum Bangladesh is working towards this goal," he said.
 
Principal Colonel Mohammad Ahsanul Kabir said that students from various districts of Rangpur division have gathered here to learn about debating and related skills, such as correct pronunciation. This will instill courage in the students. 
 
"In a realm where knowledge knows no bounds, we believe that debate plays a unique and significant role in human life," he said.