21st Annual VeerannaAivalli Memorial Debate Competition December 15, 2022

Indian Institute of Public Administration, J&K Regional Branch and J&K Police in collaboration with Department of Students Welfare, University of Jammu organized the 21st Annual VeerannaAivalli Memorial Debate Competition on the topic “In the opinion of the house,pre-poll freebies is a misuse of taxpayers money and hampers the financial sustainability”. A total of 34 teams from various affiliated colleges and University teaching departments and other Universities and Institutions of the region participated in the competition. The team from The Law School comprising of AdityaMahajan and Anshika Gandhi lifted the VeerannaAivalli Running team trophy. The individual first prize was won by Irtiqa Tariq, Jammu College of Physiotherapy; Kritika Sharma, Department of Political Science bagged the second prize followed by Akshita Sharma, Department of Zoology, JU as the winner of third prize. The consolation prizes were won by AdityaMahajan (The Law School), ArshpreetKaur Sudan, Cluster University of Jammu and Ananya Singh Sudan from School of Biotechnology, JU. Sh. Dilbag Singh, IPS, Director General of Police, JK Police was the Chief Guest of the occasion while Prof UmeshRai, Vice-Chancellor, University of Jammu was the Guest of Honor. Sh B R Sharma, IAS (Retd), Chairman of IIPA, J&K Regional Branch and Dr. Ashok Bhan, IPS (Retd), Patron of IIPA, J&K Regional Branch also attended the prize distribution function. Mr.GirishAivalli also joined the event. Sh. Dilbag Singh while remembering the services of Sh. Aivalli to the police services congratulated IIPA JK Regional Branch for consistently organizing the debate competition in his memory. He said that the role of police with the active support of the civil society has created conducive and peaceful environment in the region. He said JK Police is keen to engage with the youth and support positive activities in form such events. Prof UmeshRai in his address highlighted the new changes which University of Jammu has initiated which allow an active interaction with the public experts from diverse domains in the academic pursuits. While complimenting the IIPA for initiating this activity, he said that University of Jammu will always be at the forefront in organizing events which build the overall capacity of the students. Sh B R Sharma in his address pondered upon the pro and cons of freebies in the present social structure and its consequences across the different strata of the society. He opined that all freebies are not bad, however a targeted approach can benefit the real segment. He congratulated all the participants for intelligently highlighting the issues related to the topic. Dr. Ashok Bhan while fondly remembering the personality of Sh. Aivalli said that this debate competition is a reflection of his personality. He acknowledged the immense contribution of JK Police in the last three decades as spearheading the fight against the proxy war. He opined that would need a legislation in future which ensure financial discipline and judicious use of public funds. Prof Alka Sharma, Hony Secretary, IIPA JKRB presented the formal welcome address. Dr. Anil Gupta, Associate Dean (SW) & Joint Secretary, IIPA conducted the proceedings and presented the formal vote of thanks. Earlier during the day, Prof Prakash Chand Antahal, Dean Students’ Welfare, University of Jammu in presence of Er. J B S Johar, Vice-Chairman, IIPA &Sh K B Jandial, IAS (R) appreciated all the students for their active participation in the debate. The adjudicators for the debate competition were Sh Naveen Chopra, ShSanjeev Sharma, and Dr.Komal Nagar. The rapporteur of the event was Swati Vijay. The debate was anchored by Ms InshaDawood and Dr HemaGandotra&Dr. Raj Sandhu Teacher In Charge (Debate), Mr Sumit Sharma, Ms.IrfaKak, Kulbhushan, Arif from University coordinated the event ably supported by Sunny Singh Rajput, Jhanvi, Aparna, Chahat, Rohan, Deepak, Mrinal and Sheena.