16th Annual Veeranna Aivalli Memorial Debate .

Indian Institute of Public Administration, J&K Regional Branch in collaboration with Department of Students Welfare, University of Jammu organized the 16th Annual Veeranna Aivalli Memorial Debate Competition on the topic "In the opinion of the house, GDP slide due to demonetization and GST implementation is a pain for gain". A total of 16 teams from various affiliated colleges and University teaching departments participated in the competition. The team from Department of Political Science University of Jammu represented by Harneet Singh and Harleen Kour lifted the Veeranna Aivalli Running team trophy. The first prize was won by Zirgham Hamid from The Law School, University of Jammu; Harneet Singh from Dept of Political Science, University o Jammu bagged the second prize followed by Rishika from GCW, Parade. The consolation prizes were won by Visha Dogra, Govt MAM College, Harleen Kour from Political Science Dept. and Pallavi Gupta, from TBS, University of Jammu. The prorgramme was attended by members of J&K Police, University and College teachers, members of IIPA and civil society. Mrs. Swarna Aivalli and Sh. Girish Aivalli with his family were the special guests on the occasion.
Dr S P Vaid, IPS, Director General of Police, J&K was the chief guest at the prize distribution function. Speaking on the occasion, he said that the initiatives like demonetization and GST are bold moves especially for a country like India. He said that for effective implementation of such policies, structural changes with creation of support infrastructure are required. While paying rich tributes to Sh. Veerana Aivalli, he announced that J&K Police will feel proud to formally associate with this event in future. Prof. R D Sharma, Vice-Chancellor, University of Jammu was the Guest of Honour of the function. In his address, he critically looked into the various dimensions of both the policy measures and emphasized that the impact of such measures on common man should be empirically investigated before commenting on its effectiveness. While appreciating the role of academia in policy making, he extended full support and cooperation to IIPA for future events. In his presidential remarks, Dr Ashok Bhan Former Director General of Police and Patron, IIPA, J&K Regional branch said that the both the policy measures are well intentioned reforms and the real benefits will accrue in the future. He further complimented the galaxy of people who have contributed to the success of this competition since its inception in 2002 and keep alive the spirit of Mr. Aivalli.
Earlier during the day Prof. Satnam Kaur, Dean Students’ Welfare, University of Jammu emphasized on the need for the youth to participate in productive engagement of students in such activities to channelize their energies in the right direction. Prof Alka Sharma, Director, Seminars, IIPA J&K Regional Branch paid rich tributes to Sh. Veerana Aivalli and threw light on the life and contributions of the stalwart. The dignitaries released the biannual IIPA newsletter on the occasion.
The adjudicators for the debate competition were, Prof. Indu Kilam, Prof Indira Rathore and Er. P K. Nanda while Anil Gupta, Joint Secretary, IIPA formally welcomed the audience earlier during the day. Er. J B S Johar Hony Secretary presented the formal vote of thanks. The rapporteurs of the event were Puneet Kaur and Sunakshi Sharma. The debate was anchored by Shivam Mahajan and Archana Talwar and supported by Arti.