In order to hone the debating skills of the Indian students studying in Oman, an inter-school debate competition is held every year under the aegis of the Board of Directors, Indian schools in Oman. This year it was hosted by the Indian School Al Wadi Al Kabir on 19th November 2018. The debate was themed on the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi and the topic was ‘Has India Been Successful in its Adherence to The Principles of Self Reliance’.

His Excellency Munu Mahawar, Ambassador of India to the Sultanate of Oman was the Chief Guest. Also present on this occasion were Dr. Baby Sam Samuel, Chairman, Board of Directors, Indian schools in Oman; Mr. Rajendra Ved, Executive Director of ISWK as well as ISWK international; Mr. Alkesh Joshi, Honorary President of ISWK management committee, Mr. Vinoba M.P., Senior Principal and Educational Advisor and members of the School Management Committee.

15 Indian schools across the Sultanate participated in this competition; each team comprising two members, one speaking for and the other against the motion. The debate was adjudicated by Mr. Luis Silveiro, Mr. Sunil Sadasivan and Mr. John Moshy.

In his address to the gathering H.E. Munu Mahawar, lauded the role of the Indian schools in providing quality education to the children of the Indian diaspora in the Sultanate of Oman. He gave away the prizes to the winners of the competition. RituAndrews Machilath and Anirudh Govil both of Indian School Al Ghubra were declared the Best speaker and the First Runner-up respectively. Darin Carvalho of Indian School Salalahwas placed the Second Runner-up position. Anirudh Govil of ISG also bagged the prize for the Best Rebuttal. Indian School Al Ghubra was declared the best team and lifted the ‘Ambassador’s Polemic Challenge’ trophy for the year 2018.