‘Coca-Cola Bangla Ekhon Bangla Tokhon’ debate competition champion announced

The Champions of the “Coca-Cola Bangla Ekhon Bangla Tokhon Debate Competition 2019” organized by Coca-Cola Bangladesh Limited, are United International University (UIU), Dhaka and New Govt. Degree College, Rajshahi.
The nationwide debate competition was organized by Coca-Cola Bangladesh, on the occasion of the International Mother Language Day.. The main objective of this completion was to create conversation amongst the young generation about our mother language. For the last four years Coca-Cola Bangladesh has paid tribute to the Bangla Language through mother language day campaigns. In continuation of this initiative, Coca-Cola launched the “Bangla Ekhon Bangla Tokhon” campaign to commemorate this year’s International Mother Language Day. The campaign took several initiatives to reduce the generation gap. This debate competition is one of such initiatives.
Under the Category University, United International University and American International University (AIUB) were in the final rounds of the competition, alongside New Govt. Degree College and Dhaka College from the College category. Towards the end of the debate, the discussion among the young debaters became lively. The winner of the debate competition, United International University and New Govt. Degree College, were awarded the champions prize. Shuvo Dip Das from United International University, won the title of Best Speaker under the University category and from the College category, Miftahul Jannat Rifat of New Govt. Degree College received the title of Best Speaker. The final ceremony was held at United International University campus in the presence of prominent writer and journalist Anisul Hoque and Vice Chancellor of UIU, Professor Dr. Chowdhury Mofizur Rahman.
Primary round of the debate competition took place in seven divisions across the country. From each division 16 colleges and 8 universities participated in the competition. The primary round in the University and College category, has been successfully completed. A total number of 168 educational institutes participated in this debate competition. The debate followed a knock-out format and the teams faced each other in a parliamentary arrangement. Afterwards, the Divisional Champion and Runner-up teams joined the final round of the debate competition at United International University Campus in Dhaka. The National Debate Foundation had collaborated with Coca-Cola Bangladesh Limited to make the debate competition successful and effective.
United International University were the champion in the University category and received a crest and prize money of BDT 50,000. In the College category, the champion, New Govt. Degree College, also received a crest and prize money of BDT 50,000. The Runner-up teams in both University and College category were given prize money of BDT 30,000, along with a crest. The Best Speakers from both categories received BDT 10,000 as prize money.
Shamima Akhter on behalf of Coca-Cola Bangladesh Limited commented, “Coca-Cola Bangladesh has been functioning with Bangla language in this country for the last four years. The primary aim of this year’s campaign was to create a common ground for the young and old generations. The Nationwide debate competition was organized with the intention of making our “Bangla Ekhon Bangla Tokhon” campaign approachable for both generations and to create awareness regarding the practice of the Bangla language amongst the youth. The debate competition organized by Coca-Cola Bangladesh received encouraging response from the young generation.”