Astral & Prove Us Wrong in The Morung Debate Finale
Finalists of The Morung Debate 2019 – Astral and Prove Us Wrong (in white shirt). (Morung Photo)
Morung Express News
Dimapur | August 31
The issues of bureaucrats joining politics and Nagaland media’s voice against corruption came under scrutiny at the tough semifinals of ongoing first edition of The Morung Debate 2019 on August 31.
After lively ‘battles of wits, words, and wrangle,’ Team – Astral and Prove Us Wrong argued their way to the finale at the debate held here today at DBIDL, Don Bosco Higher Secondary School Campus, River Belt Colony, Dimapur.
In the first debate, ‘Should Bureaucrats be allowed to contest elections on retirement/resignation?’, while Team A, The Skeptics mounted a robust defense for the motion, Team B, Astral convincingly argued against such participations.
The Skeptics took their stand saying that bureaucrats were selected from outstanding individuals of a nation.
Knowing the tricks and trade of politics as well as inner working of the government, the team stated that the bureaucrats are “professionally qualified” to join the trade.
Quoting that “Knowledge is supreme,” The Skeptics asserted: “We all prefer a man with more knowledge than experience.” They are the most capable to work for the people “on a very large scale.”
Astral were not convinced. Instead they stated that the youth deserve a chance. To allow the bureaucrats to contest elections is like Baba Ramdev bidding for the prime ministerial post, they reasoned.
Stating that when they could not check corruption or ensure development when in services, Astral wondered whether the bureaucrats joining politics is a drive towards developing India or just “the lust of money and power.”
The judges were more convinced by the latter’s arguments.
The second semifinals which saw a neck and neck battle between Team A, Prove Us Wrong and Team B, Groundbreakers on the topic, ‘Is Nagaland media doing enough to voice against corruption?’
Team B speaking against the motion said that while the media is a medium to inform and educate people and to check on corruption, Nagaland media was clearly not doing enough.
If media is doing enough, Groundbreakers questioned, “Why are corrupt officials still not behind bars? Why are they still holding a higher post? Are this really enough?”
“The media itself are pressurized, are threatened, are biased,” they added, alluding that they are unnecessarily falling under pressure from both state and non-state actors.
Where are the investigative journalism, follow-ups, sting operations and taking the government to task.
Standing for the motion, Team A, Prove Us Wrong countered that “Nagaland media is doing enough to voice against corruption” and “more than that,” but it was the people and the government, who are not doing the necessary follow-up on issues highlighted by the media.
Asserting that the Nagaland media has come a long way, Prove Us Wrong noted that the media of Nagaland has given a voice to the people.
Media is not to be blamed; it is the people and the government, who should take the actions, upon issues highlighted, Prove Us Wrong reasoned, answering an earlier Groundbreakers’ question: Why are corrupt officials still not behind bars?
Apart from distinct political history, the media in Nagaland has gone through lot of hurdles to give the right information to the people and raising a ‘group of intellectual people,’ they stated.
Names were dropped or exalted, and the results went down to wire, but at the end Prove Us Wrong won the round with a razor thin margin.
Earlier, acknowledging that The Morung Express was taking a much needed responsibility to nurture young people in such a platform, singer/songwriter and educationist Tali Angh believed the young people are in good hands.
Addressing the gathering, Angh said: “You may have the best kind of discourse today, but ponder on whether there is any desire or passion in you to take this beyond this platform.”
He encouraged the Naga youth to be responsible in building a community, and one key was to have healthy communication.
Underscoring the importance of character, he noted that one may be talented, but may end up being trolled by one’s own craft, if their character is not in check.
“Who you are, and not what you have,” is a principle to live by, he said.
Likewise, Angh stressed that persuasive words are not enough but it should be shared out of love.
Young people should also seek for truth and speak only truth, he added, quoting that the “greatest tragedy in life is living in deception.”
Speaking to The Morung Express on the sideline of the debate, Dr Lanusangla Tzudir of Heritage Publishing House while expressing that it was a great initiative, she viewed that spontaneity was missing. She advised against copy pasting information from the internet, and encouraged for more spontaneous and contemplative debate in the finale.
Along Longkumer, Founder of Naga Republic and former Editor of The Morung Express encouraged the young people to be socially and politically conscious, to do more in-depth research on the issues ailing the society.
He said that it should serve a purpose than just winning.
“Life is not as simple as black and white, there are a lot of grey areas,” Longkumer said, while urging the youth to inculcate a culture of learning, critical thinking and the ability to solve problems.
Appreciating the initiative, he also acknowledged the sponsors for supporting a noble cause, which include Fingerprint, Corporation Bank and State Bank of India.
The panel of judges for the semifinals included Reverend Dr Ellen Konyak Jamir, Associate Professor at Oriental Theological Seminary; Zubeni Lotha, Photographer and Dr Moalemba, Editor of The Morung Express.
The debate will culminate at the finale on September 7 at the Tourist Lodge, Dimapur. Meanwhile, six selected participants will vie for the title of Best Speaker.
