Sambad’s debate & song competition: 950 contestants take part in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: A zonal-level debate and song competition held by leading vernacular Daily ‘Sambad’ and its sister wings on occasion of its 34th foundation ceremony concluded on Sunday.

Total 950 contestants had participated in debate and song competition organised in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Angul, Balasore, Sambalpur, Berhampur, Rourkela, Jeypore and Jajpur — nine editions of the newspaper.

While 347 contestants registered their names for participation in debate organised by both ‘Sambad’ and TV channel ‘Kanak News’, 601 students of colleges and universities took part in song (Sa Re Ga Ma) competition held by Sambad and Odisha’s leading FM radio station ‘Radio Choklate’.

The Bhubaneswar edition of registered the highest number of 160 participants in both the events (50 in debate and 110 in Sa Re Ga Ma) followed by Balasore editions with 136 students (46 in debate and 90 in song), Jeypore with 134 (49 in debate and 85 in song) and Berhampur zone with 132 contestants (53 in debate and 79 in song).

Similarly, 104 students (40 in debate and 64 in song) had participated in Sambalpur zone event, 100 in Cuttack (42 in debate and 58 in song), 67 in Jajpur, 62 in Rourkela and 55 took part in Angul zone.

As per the schedule, the debate competition began at 10.00 am on Sunday. The topic was decided one hour before the event. The marks were given on basis of the participants’ arguments.

Similarly, the contestants in song competition had sung Odia and Hindi Bhajans and film songs. The successful contestants (first, second and third in position) of each zone will meet on October 3 in Bhubaneswar for final round of the event. The schedule of the competition will be released soon in the newspaper.