New Delhi, April 2006: Dreams are weaved out of ambitions, expectations and a desire to live happily and prosperously. In this busy world, everyone wants a fresh breath of air. That’s what IIPM always ventures out for. The Indian Institute of Planning and Management had recently organized India’s largest Inter-School Debate Competition- “CICERO’S CHALLENGE 2006 -GREAT INDIAN DEBATE COMPETITION” at IIPM International Campus, Satbari (Mehrauli Chattarpur Road) in South Delhi from April 21-22, 2006. First time ever an initiative have been taken by a B- School to create a platform for a school level Debate Competition in the city.

Cicero’s Challenge had paved the way for a new beginning of an era at a national level that IIPM had organized. The Great Indian Dream: “It is a Question of Evolution, Not Revolution” , being the topic of the debate in the DEBATE COMPETITION, swooshed up the environment with the students strong logic and justification. The exposure of their knowledge, oratory skills and confidence captivated the souls of all the spectators present there. The  finalists for the competition were Sanskiti School, Doon School, Mayo College, DPS-RKP, Modern School-Barakhamba, out of which Varun Vaish of Sanskriti School was proved to the best in the pool of knowledge who won the cash prize of Rs. 1 lakh. The second prize went to the combined winner Chinmaya Kulkarni from Ferguson College-Pune and Rishab Animesh from Bishop Cotton College; and last but not the least the third prize went to Sankalp from National Public School, Bangalore.  The judges of the debate competition included Prof. Arindam Chaudhuri, Dean, IIPM, Ms. Malvika Tewari, actress and stained glass designer and Mr. Gautam Bimani, the famous commentator from ESPN - the role models for all the students who had always been influencing them by their oratory prowess. Mr. Bimani on this occasion commented “ I am overwhelmed with their oratory skills and way of presenting their logic. I would not feel ashamed to say that I have much to learn from these kids”. The whole atmosphere was made all the more interesting and lively by the awesome mix of wits and entertaining comments from the moderator of the competition, Cyrus Sahookar, MTV VJ.

The two day event was a great  success in the presence of  leading academicians, high profile celebrities, socialites, style icons and last but not the least- the enthusiastic, young student mass. CICERO’S CHALLENGE did not only restrict itself in the world of knowledge. One of the most highlighting competitions, being the Rock Competition was held on April 21st, wherein, again finalist from different schools and colleges took part anxiously. But finally, the show was rocked over by Modern School, Barakhamba by beating their close competitor from Cambridge School who won the Radio Mirchi Rock Competition award just last week. The judges for the show were Mr. Arush Vohra, owner of ‘Auto Psyche’, Ms. Rajita Chaudhuri, Dean- Centre for Under Graduate Studies, IIPM and Mr. Naveen Chamoli, Director, Planman ITES.

Personality is the mirror of one’s total being. IIPM also organized a High School Personality, wherein the contest prize went to Kartick Jain from Modern High School and Upasana, from Bangalore. One of the participants from Bangalore, said, “ I really liked the way the whole show have been organized. The impartial and correct judgment from all the competitions made us all the more satisfied. We long to participate every year and be a part of IIPM”. Quiz, Creative Writing, Choreography, Collage Making, Face Painting, Antakshari and Dumb Charades were few of the other competitions that’s was on the card of the  two day event.

An ‘out of the world and entertaining evening’ was one of the most happening thing that could bring an end to the two day event on April 22. It was a Rock Show from the band STRINGS, a musical band from Pakistan, who has recently given us a musical bonanza in the film ‘ZINDA’. The main intention of this rock show was to create a AIDS/HIV awareness campaign. It was a rocking evening full of enthusiasm, songs, dancing and loud entertaining crowd with the intention of delivering the silent social message, which brought an happy ending to Cicero’s Challenge 2006.

The whole of India would earnestly wait for Cicero’s Challenge 2007. IIPM has always been paving the way for one’s overall improvement and encouragement; and this is one of those many initiatives of IIPM to lay a platform to DARE TO DREAM & THINK BEYOND… IIPM promises to come back again next year with another round of challenges.

Cicero Challenge Picture Gallery