Facing your Fears - The Debating Kickoff

Facing your Fears

The Debating Kickoff

I registered for the Debating society and had forgotten about it, as I wasn’t really keen about the whole thing. The lack of interest wasn't because I didn’t know anything or wasn’t sure of making a good argument, as I am very good at that. I was apprehensive about the whole thing because I prefer to sit in a group and comment from there rather than be on stage. I had tried it in school and discovered I was very bad at it; in the sense that I had a phobia of public speaking - speaking in front of an audience. It was because of this fear, that whenever I was on stage, I said everything very fast which resulted in me forgetting some of the things that I needed to say! It was because of this that I never could got the confidence and just started ignoring it. I felt I got better at it after studying for the UPSC and having discussions on various topics and stuff, but I had not really tested my skills. That went on for years and then I registered for the debating society at the University of Westminster, London. I am not sure why I did it, as I had forgotten until I received an email about the 1^st session. I was trying to find reasons not to go, but finally went. I was like let’s go and see what it is. I don’t have to speak as who makes one speak on the 1^st day! Well! I was just working on my own confidence and consoling myself!

So there I was sitting in the last row. The hall filled up very fast, and this was something I had not expected. I watched the scenario while talking to the girl besides me. She was from Zimbabwe, studying Property development or something related to that. The session started with Jim - the president of the debating society of the University of Westminster introducing himself, his colleagues and the society and what all we would be doing in general. He had taken part in the World Advocacy Debate in Germany, the world’s most prestigious competition. That was impressive; and he spoke with that experience, displaying immense that confidence. They started by showing us a clip from ‘The Kings Speech’, to try and lessen our fears and to boost the confidence of people like me. I guess that everyone can speak and will get better with time and practice!

Then they explained how debates are conducted.. It was fascinating for me, something I had not at all expected. The debate was going to be in the British parliamentary style, the way it actually happens in the Parliament. Four groups, 2 on the government side and 2 on opposition side with 2 people in each group. The sequence of debating goes as follows -

  

So it was pretty clear who will speak when. There was a dummy debate to set the mood in the hall. The audience was divided into two groups and we just had open arguments which made the energy flow. Then the call for people who wanted to volunteer to speak came and everyone was not really enthusiastic. This made me relax a bit as I guess I  felt it’s ok as no one really seems to have any experience; except for a few. Jim emphasized on how important it is to start and it doesn’t matter if you don’t know how to speak and if you have never spoken before.  So then there were a few volunteers. We were paired-up for the debate and given 15 minutes to prepare for the motion. It started and we were well prepared, or that’s what I thought. The real fun was when I spoke. I had good points to speak about and 5 minutes to talk and make counter arguments (rebuttals) and take question. I finished everything in like two and half minutes. We were given 10 minutes after which the results were announced. We got our feedback and mine was not so good as I had already presumed. The points I know were pretty good, but my apprehensions and fears had dominated the whole scenario. The thorough feedback about teams, how to develop your argument and why and who stood 1^st 2^nd and all was good. The best part being the personal feedback which Jim gave, it showed his dedication and how seriously he took his work.  This was very motivating and it was the push required for me to take debating seriously.  

He announced that the years 1^st competition in UK was to be held at UCL during the weekend and urged us to take part in it. He reiterated the fact that it was for novices, that is people who do not have a prior experience of UK parliamentary debating over a year. I was wondering whether to take part or not and then he mentioned that the earlier you speak the earlier you learn and get better. So I was like what better event to start than the UK educational years 1^st competition!

I was paired with a guy for the UK, who was good, calmer and more precise than I was so I guess it was a good balance. We went to the competition on Saturday, both new to debating. The competition was a great learning experience. We did not do well at all, but learned so much. Every round was a new learning experience. The 4 rounds were designed in such a way that we got to be at all four positions shown in the above diagram. So literally we were learning round after round, and trying to use it in the next round which was again wrong, as every position had its specific job, as in what to speak and how to speak. This was amazing as students from almost 30 universities had taken part in it with around 80 teams. So I got to learn from everyone. I also met new people, made some friends, that also being the main aim of the social get-together after the event.

It was an amazing experience. I learned so much, and finally got rid of my fear of Public speaking. Yes, maybe not altogether, but I am now on the road to improvement. Every debate I take part, I got better, which was visible to me as well as those around me. My confidence got a boost when I was voted the best speaker in the group by people in the audience, other students who did not take part and were spectators, during our next practice session. Not by Jim and I knew why. Even though I was voted for, I knew where I had messed up and where I had to improve.

I got over the fear and anxiety of public speaking and that‘s going to be one of the biggest boosts of my life over the years. These things like facing your fears, tackling them and rising above it give me immense pleasure and confidence. So as far as I am concerned I will be taking part in all the debating competitions possible hereafter.

 I now get the true meaning of what Eleanor Roosevelt has said,-

“You gain strength courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop and look fear in the face. You must do the things which you think you cannot do.”

One might think it was just debating, public speaking what’s the big deal. It was for me, it was one of my biggest fears, phobias just like darkness. Darkness now, well I am in love with it, and I am getting the same feeling about this. I know that as time passes by, I am going to get better and better and that’s a great feeling.!.

Democracy - Is it the last resort?

Humans have reached the moon. Well that was long back! Removed poor Pluto from the planetary system and again adding it as the 9^th planet, the Human Genome project, Curiosity (the Mars one), Chandrayaan (India’s mission to the moon), NASA’s Maven which was $671 million and now India’s Mangalyaan is $67 million, captured and killed Bin-Laden, 3D printer, Stem cell treatment, Bit coin, Amazon delivery via drones, the GOD particle and what not; all new mind boggling innovations and theories. 

We have theories for each and every thing, as everything started as a theory and philosophy. We even have Stephen Hawkins’s ‘The Theory of Everything.’ These studies and research gave us everything from Nanotechnology to supercomputing, bringing back the dead is the next step (if not already done) that’s where the medical innovations have also reached.

 In 2014, when there seems to be no end to human innovations and endeavors, we are somehow handicapped due to the political theories specific to “Governance”. There were evolution and we came from totalitarian, dictatorship to oligarchy to communism/socialism/Marxism and then “Democracy” and as we say today. Democracy is not perfect, but it is the best till we find some other form of Governance. It has been ages since we have found any other form. While the older ones still exist. Out of 193 countries in the UN hardly 48-51 are democratic, though many of them claim to be one. There is so much turmoil around the world the basic reason being the way or rather the form of governance. People in dictatorships want democracy; people in communist countries cannot do much, for them the ideas of freedom and independence are feeble. And then comes the righteous ones stuck in democracy, those who do not know what went wrong. Is this the way the ‘Elected’ Government is supposed to behave and govern? And these democracies have given themselves the superior duty of teaching the world democracy, (Good or Bad is contextual), but I have always believed that, one should govern themselves, however bad; rather than being governed by others, however good. For me that’s the basic essence of Life - Freedom.

 The one’s which are stuck in Democracy, don’t seem to move. No new ideas or ways of governance seem to come up. Considering today’s age of innovation and free flow of ideas, it’s weird. Which makes me wonder is it the most exploitative, most profit making venture for the ones who rule? Is it the safest way for the exploiters as they can manage and escape it if at all they get caught? The best argument against it being that people themselves have elected the leaders!

 An extract from the phrase "tyranny of the majority" (or "tyranny of the masses"), used in discussing systems of democracy and majority rule, involves the scenario in which decisions made by a majority place its interests above those of an individual or minority group, constituting active oppression comparable to that of tyrants and despots. In many cases a dislike for ethnic, religious or a racial group is deliberately penalized by the majority element acting through the democratic process.

 Also Democracy is termed as “Mobocracy” many times. And if there is no logic behind all this and if the system of Governance of Democracy is so perfect why is no one satisfied? Well humans are never satisfied, but at least they are happy with what the government is doing, as they have elected them for some reason, to work for the people, for the betterment of their country.

People elect the government so that the government can run the country; and people can look after their home, family, daily businesses. But ultimately if citizens come on roads, protest against its decisions, to make them do something, for something which they have elected the government for in the first place. What’s the use of this system? 

Well, I know nothing is perfect and all. Of course how can it be? People who elect the government are not, for that matter.  So is it supposed to be like this? I guess, but the problem is that why haven’t we found an alternative. That’s the most important question, something more important than the lack of ideas, innovation. It points towards exploitation, money making and profitable ventures, to be in power always and all is what comes to mind. May be it’s the best form and this poses no problem with its governance and it’s probably just “My crazy mind.”

 I will end with a thought which has been on my mind for a long time. “If the new world order means, we are in the business of destroying anyone who questions the political agenda, then I will better be an Anarchist.”

Revelations on Foreign Soil…

Anand always seemed to have a battery problem with his phone and felt everyone else's is perfectly ok.. 

London didn't change it, rather made it terrible, well it wasn't the fault of the place where he had landed, it was the amount of calls he made using the 3G internet, but that couldn’t be helped since he was so far away from home. With this problem, he realized that he needed an external charger urgently!

He got down or rather up from the Baker Street tube station and began searching for a shop. There were many shops with big names and fancy designs, but he was still looking, not knowing what exactly for…..That's one of his USP’s 'Not knowing Exactly' and 'Searching on and on.' Suddenly, a shop at the far end on the road caught his attention. He went in and was greeted with a warm smile by a guy in his mid-thirties – well-built and really smart. An Asian guy, not Asian-Asian like the Chinese or Japanese, but someone with Indian features. It didn't take a minute for Anand to realize that the owner was a Pakistani and that was when the owner also realized that Anand was an Indian. That did not make any difference. He was a businessman and Anand was a customer. He showed him 3-4 chargers in different price ranges. Then suddenly he was lost in thought for a moment and then he spoke and said that he had something very good, way better than all these, but the problem was it was pink in color.. They both laughed and Anand was like if it's really good and can charge my iPhone twice, pink or purple really doesn't matter! The guy said it was courageous of Anand to buy it and showed the price tag which said 35Pounds. He smiled and told Anand that he could have it for 25 since they were neighbours!

That came as a real surprise for Anand, as he was not expecting any kind of conversation. Anand was really amazed and appreciated the gesture. He forwarded his hand for a handshake and introduced himself. The man behind the counter accepted the gesture. They exchanged basic information about where they were from and all. The owner told Anand that he had a friend from Pune when he was doing his MBA in London. He said that he had heard so much about Pune and other cities and it would be great to visit them one day. He was from Lahore. As they were talking a Scottish playing the bagpiper passed by and the shop owner was like look at these guys, the Scottish referendum is tomorrow;, and see how peacefully they manage everything without any violence. Of course there was bound to be some heartache tomorrow, he said, but whichever way the referendum goes. It’s still admirable. And look at us... We have been shedding blood since decades fighting over Kashmir and still found no solution. Anand was like (to himself) yeah right (as he was also aware of what happens to talks and how the Pakistani Army and ISI violate the ceasefire and how the person representing from Pakistan is in no control.) He was trying so hard not to speak about all this and there the owner was going on and on…..And it was the owner, who said, but what can be done; our country is in bad shape as the politicians aren;t really in control. Other countries like America Saudi Arabia and the army run the show, but it will change for good. Soon there will be friendship between India and Pakistan. He said, who wants to  fight every day. Not long ago we were one single country and where did all that unity disappear!? Why did it become so bitter? 'Politics' they both said at the same time and gave a high five. The owner then continued to talk about how different it would have been if Jinnah had lived for a longer time. He was so secular and progressive and could have taken Pakistan in the right direction, he added! Anand couldn’t have agreed more!.

They were so involved in the talks that he just couldn't entertain any more customers. Anyone who came into the shop was directed to one of his colleagues. Being a busy time and a big shop with so many customers Anand found it strange. He thought to himself that this shows that the person is genuine and really interested in the topic that he is talking about. Anand was happy to meet a Pakistani guy who talked of peace and friendship at the ground level and was genuine and true about what he felt and meant every word he said!

Their conversation was just not stopping, soon it went on to the topic of the drama involved in the Pakistani and Indian elections. Anand asked him about who would be the one who could change things for Pakistan. He said it would be Imran Khan. Just a week back he was leading a march against the government in power in Pakistan, he added. Anand told about the alleged links he had to the Taliban sympathizer groups and that he had no standing as to what exactly he would be doing. The owner argued and cleared some things about this topic, to which Anand did not completely agree. And the owner was like can't blame you it's the media which paints things differently. The owner said he had flown from London to vote during the last elections and there were a lot like him and the numbers were increasing day by day as there are people who care for their country. He said all the election manifestos of almost all the parties had 'Good relations with India' in their list of things to do. He said how the general perception about India had changed and it wasn't like it was earlier. He stated that hate was slowly vanishing and was being replaced by peace and friendship. Anand was so happy to hear that. The owner was feeling so sentimental that his speech was overflowing with words and emotions. He also mentioned that so many times he felt like taking a car from Lahore and going for a drive to see the beautiful northeastern states and all, but he could not. Hopefully it will change. It has to change, he added. There are many like me who feel this and we will make a difference in our countries politics, he said, with his tone ranging from despair to hope.

Before they realized it nearly two hours had passed since they had begun the conversation. Anand’s iPhone’s battery gave him a warning sign and that brought both of them to their senses. He gave him the card with the new London number and wrote his personal cell number on it. He also informed him about places where he could find  better accommodation and also asked him to call him if Anand needed anything. Anand told him that he would come there if he needed to buy any electronic equipment in future. The owner smiled and said brother just drop in anytime to talk and also meet me about anything you need other than the stuff in his store or any kind of help in London. This didn't come as a surprise for Anand as he understood the bond they had built in the last ninety minutes or so. Both patriots, intellectuals, thoughtful, passionate people who wanted something better for their country had met and this kind of bond made sense!

Events like these make one realize how perceptions can be wrong, how it can be so different than something one had been thinking all along. And when you know, feel, you know everything and have made up your mind and formed your opinions, and feel nothing will change it or there is no hope, that's the time, 'LIFE happens'..