But, Eight we came back.
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I still remember the day when all the seven of us sat down in front of the computer at our school library.. All geared up to get through.. Through to the next round.
It was the Online Elimination Test (OET) of Debating Matters India (DMI). The first of the many hurdles that were to come. We knew the bait, a trip to London and beyond.. and we knew it would not be just a walk in the park.. but, we had our dreams. And off we set to give colors to those..
The questions were tricky in the OET, but we had resolved to answer them to the best of our capabilities.
And so we did.
Exactly a month and a half later, on the 26th of November, 2009.. we entered the Regional Finals of DMI. We were placed in a tough group.. with two very promising schools in the prelims. And with a team of six, off which four were practically debating the first time in their lives, we were undoubtedly, the underdogs. Over the next two days what happened was immense. We won the Regionals of the DMI. But, deep inside.. all of us knew that it was just the beginning. The real test was.. about.. to.. come..
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Cut to 13th January 2010.
And we boarded the Rajdhani from Kolkata to Delhi. Over the last one and a half months, we had worked.. together as a team.. together as a family. We had practiced, bunked classes and debated our hearts out.. but now, it was, SHOWTIME.
15th January..
The first of at the most three debates that we could be part of, began. We were against the champions of the North Zone, Sanskriti School. After a rigorous 70 minute debate, Devvart and me, were burnt out. The judges and audiences, besides the opponents, challenged us to the core.
The day ended. But brought something good for us.
We were through to the semis.
16th January..
Tension was in the air as Devvart and Akash prepared overnight leaving me and Kushagra to do our bit for the finals..
Devvart was fabulous.. and so was Akash. Getting the better of St. Columbas was TOUGH. It was so evenly matched that we weren't sure till the last minute that we'd go through!
But, we did.
And, as much as I had myself shaking as I walked up stage for the finals.. I wished I came down victorious. The next 75 minutes could not have been worse. After the judges and our opponents from Symbiosis, the audience seemed to have developed a special liking towards having our standpoint questioned infinitely.. and going on to the National finals with a team having a member making his debating debut, we were in for a real challenge. But, Kushagra just let it go. From facts to delivery, he had it all. And gladly so, we were en route to making our little history.
15 minutes later, Sir Mark, without much ado, declared us as the National Winners of DMI. As the team erupted on stage, all of us knew what this meant to us.. to our little, yet complex lives. It was more than just a trip to London, more than just our dreams come true..
It was, by no means the end of the most beautiful dream we lived..
It was no end.
It was JUST the beginning.. the beginning of a new journey..
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At this point, it becomes a necessity to thank everyone. Yes, Everyone. Thank you British Council and the Institute of Ideas, thank you Shell and the Wellcome Trust and everyone else involved in making this such a huge event and achievement in our lives. Thank you Tony Sir (even though I'm not into Spurs), Claire Ma'am, Austin Sir, Simon Sir (and I still don't like Chelsea.. :P ) , Arnab Sir (from BCL), Rebecca Ma'am (again from BCL) and all others. Thanks a lot to all others who made it to the finals.. you were amazing companions.. the Symbiosis guys (who looked just as brilliant as they were), the DPS B'lore South guys.. (who gave us TOUGH questioning sessions), Sanskriti School and St.Columbas, (who were excellent competition).. Loreto, Sealdah (with whom we had a nice time debating in the train) , SBOA (who were also amazingly competitive) , Cathedral.. (who were so impressive in their own ways).. and not to forget, the guys from Bhavans (who personified sportsmanship to the best and grilled the speakers)
I didn't take individual names because I didn't want to be partial to the ones I didn't get to know well.. :)
Thanks specially to the students of Modern High School who helped me sooo much in my preparations..
But, mostly, thanks to one person who was there with us till the end. The seventh member of our team.. Mr.Anirban Roy, our teacher, our friend.. and the man who did it all. Thanks sir, you made our trip be the best-est.. !
And finally, DM UK champs, here we come..!
