IIPM: GLIDIORATORS COLLIDE AT CICERO'S 2012!

IT WAS A FEST TO REMEMBER. ON THE SPRAWLING LAWNS OF THE INDIAN INSTITUTE OF PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT (IIPM)'S NEW DELHI CAMPUS, 6,000 VISITORS CONGREGATED FOR CICERO'S CHALLENGE 2012 TO CREATE WHAT WAS ONE OF THE BIGGEST AND MOST EAGERLY AWAITED EVENTS FOR THE CAPITAL'S STUDENT COMMUNITY. WHAT FOLLOWED WAS AN EXPLOSION OF COLOUR AND CHARACTER!

Palpable enthusiasm in the air, a whole lot of fun events happening all at the same time, and scores of nattily dressed students happily chattering away – these were just some of the sights that greeted the eyes on entering IIPM's International Campus on May 3. It didn't take long for us to get why so much anticipation and excitement had preceded Cicero's Challenge, a much-awaited fest that the student community looks forward to be a part of. Expectedly, with 6,000 footfalls, of them 2,000 participants, Cicero's Challenge 2012 lived up to its reputation of having something in store for everyone. Students from schools across Delhi were seen participating in competitions ranging from T-shirt and Collage Making to Creative Writing and JAMming, with a zest that was to watch out for.

This event, first conducted in 2006, started as an initiative to provide students a platform to test their debating skills. The fest got its name from Cicero, an ancient Roman philosopher, orator, lawyer and statesman, who is credited with creating the Latin philosophical vocabulary. However, what started as a one-event show has today grown into an elaborate fest with several competitions, ranging from dancing and singing to testing the literary bone.

The Producer of the event, Prof Rajita Chaudhuri, captures the essence when she says, “Cicero's gives students a chance to develop their competitive spirit and put in a good fight, for nothing is more satisfying than emerging victorious against strong competition. But victory is not just winning but also about being able to tell after a fight that 'I gave it all I could. I gave it my best'. That is also the spirit of Cicero's Carnival.”

The theme for the 2012 edition of the festival was 'Get Real', and the contests were planned in a manner to test the students' connect with the real world. The theme worked out to be absolutely relevant, since we live in times where the virtual world is increasingly overtaking the time young people spend in the 'real world'. more Like every year, the 2012 edition also witnessed overwhelming participation, with more 2,000 students taking part in various events.

In appreciation of IIPM's initative to provide a platform to students, Neelanja Banerjee, a teacher with Ryan International School in New Delhi, said, “It is wonderful to see students showcase their talents and overcome their fears, on such a huge platform. Their desire to explore their strengths and do their best is commendable.”

The two-day competition kicked off with its signature event, which saw students debating about 'Technology is a knack of so arranging the world that we do not experience it' in the preliminary round. The finals on the second day witnessed 27 participants speaking for and against 'The virtual world is somewhere I can really be me'. Saksham Agarwal of Amity International School, Gurgaon, who bagged the first prize in the debate competition, ironically stood speechless on stage while receiving the cash prize of Rs 1,00,000, a certificate and trophy. Later he said, “I wasn't expecting to do so well, but now that I have, I am very happy with the results. I had heard some-where that winners don't do different things, they do things differently. It was with that on my mind that I gave my speech. My friends are of course waiting for me to throw them a party now!”

Saksham was closely followed by Praney Lekhi of Modern School, Delhi, and Siddhant Law of Don Bosco School Delhi, who stood second. The three students who bagged the third position were Pulkit of Manav Sthali School, and Dewang Mulani and Simran Keshwani of Montfort Senior Secondary School, Delhi. Dewang, who has been visiting Cicero's for two years now, said, “ I am elated. We've all known Cicero's to be the biggest fest of intellect and entertainment. My school has also won in several other events and I'm proud to have contributed by winning a position here. There was tough competition and the topics were great. I'm planning to join IIPM for my MBA as it as a perfect combination of education and fun.”

Prof Arindam Chaudhuri had a tough time choosing the winners. He said, “Every time I judge an event at Cicero's, I discover new schools with drive like Montfort school, for instance. As about the topic, the debate is not whether the virtual world is good or bad, rather whether one can be themselves in the virtual world. I can say I like to be myself in the virtual world, because being real in the virtual world is original.”

Amity International School of Gurgaon and Modern School and Maxfort School from Delhi received a special mention by Prof Arindam Chaudhuri for their excellent diction and for their confidence.

Dancing The Night Away

Besides the debate competition, the other main highlight of the event was the choreography competition, where enchanted audiences sat enthralled. From hip hop to Bollywood moves to salsa and bhangra, there was something for everyone.

Nehha Bhatnagar, an acclaimed Bharatnatyam dancer, who judged the session, said she was thoroughly impressed with the students' efforts. “Their energy is commendable.

These days, even schools and teachers take interest in the students' innate talents,” she observed. While Montfort Senior Secondary School won the first prize, Colonel's Central Academy School, Gurgaon, and Salwan Public School emerged as first and second runners up respectively.

Some Rock For The Soul

Cicero's Challenge 2012 on day one was a jam-packed event, but those present were equally charged up towards the end of the show too. And young rock music enthusiasts ensured that the wait did not go in vain. Students tried their hands at their own compositions, and the response was overwhelming. DAV school from Sheikh Sarai, who were adjudged the second runners-up, gave the audience goosebumps with their performance. The rhythm and harmonies in place, the renditions worked their magic. “We had only four days to get our act in place and this was also our first experience on stage, but we did very well here today,” gushed the lead vocalist of the band, who has also appeared on the 'Chhote Ustaad' reality show on Star Plus. In this contest, Modern School, Barakhamba won the first prize, while Ryan International School were the first runners-up.

Personality Gains

The personality contest at Cicero's Challenge 2012 had three rounds introduction, talent and questionnaire. Students sang, danced and did everything within their means to impress the judges. Swasti Kapur of St Thomas' who bagged the 'Ms Cicero' title said, “It is like a dream come true to have participated on this platform.” Mr Cicero's title was take by Said Kheershed of Maxfort School.

JAMming The Stands

The Just A Minute (JAM) competition came up with unusual and random topics. Sample this: 'Lunch, Crunch & Munch' and 'Bone, Cone & Stone'! But as would be expected from GenNext, the students did not disappoint. Bhavya Batra of Manavsthali School won the first prize. “I am a regular JAMmer; but the atmosphere here at Cicero's this time was something else. I'm feeling on top of the world,” she said on being awarded. St Thomas School, Modern School and Amity International, Gurgaon were the other winners.

Of Colourful Collages and Unusual T-shirts

The 'Get Real' theme was everywhere. At the collage contest, students were seen putting together crayons, sketch pens, water colours, glue, newspaper and magazine cuttings, and even food items like pulses to convey their message! Montfort Senior Secondary School bagged the first prize while Apeejay School, Sheikh Sarai, and Shah International School won the the second and third prize respectively.

Similarly, at the T-shirt Designing Competition, students were seen associating the 'real world' with nature, friends, good health and the 'virtual world' with evil, Facebook and the internet. Delhi Police Public School was declared the winner, followed by Salwan Public School, Gurgaon and Modern School, Barakhamba.

Rowlings Of the Future

Students from 50-odd schools participated in the creative writing competition, on the topic 'The real world is as superficial as the virtual world'. “It was an interesting exercise, and also quite challenging to streamline our thoughts in accordance with the subject,” said Ritika Singh from Salwan Public School, Gurgaon.

Dramatics on Display

The skit competition of Cicero's Challenge 2012 was one of its most awaited events. On the front lawns of IIPM, young actors from various schools brought some vivid concepts and characters to life. From female foeticide and rape to the right to education, students had a lot of social issues on their minds. “Our team was thrilled to be a part of the carnival. We practiced for four continuous days to come up with the final act,” says Prerit Daga of Vidya Bharti School, Rohini. Students of Ryan International, Vasant Kunj, who bagged the first position for their skit, spoke of evils such as corruption, smoking, deforestation and domestic violence. “We did not have much time to prepare. While we were earlier thinking of focusing on any on social issue, then later decided to take up several. Our experience at the fest was amazing. We got to interact with a lot of people, and also learnt a lot in the process,” said the winners. They were followed by St. Columbus and D.P.S (R.K Puram).

Ad-ding It Up

The ad competition was another platform for students to showcase their creative zing. The competition saw participation from more than 50 schools and over 250 students. The participants had to clear three rounds, wherein the first two rounds required students to identify brand names and their taglines. In the last round of the competition, the teams had to present an advertisement for a product. Olay, Bajaj scooter, Airtel and Bisleri were some of the products presented by the students. D.P.S R.K Puram, St. Columbus and Delhi Police Public School Were the winners.