Pakistan bags winner's trophy at SAARC debate competition

New Delhi, Dec 3 (UNI) Pakistan bagged the winner's trophy while India was declared runners-up at 'Dr Mahbub Ul Haq Memorial SAARC Inter-School Debate Competition' at a function here today.

The topic of the debate was the 'Global warming and climate change'.

Vice-President Hamid Ansari presented the the winner trophy to the team of Pakistan and the runners-up trophy to the Indian team.

The Best Speaker (for the motion) award was presented to Prerak Pradhan of Nepal and the Best speaker (Against) award was presented to Mohd. Aeeal Hasan of Maldives. The function was jointly organised by the UNDP and Rajiv Gandhi Institute for Contemporary Studies.

In his address, Mr Ansari said the debate was named after a person who was a man of great vision.

Expressing concern over the deteriorating environmental conditions, he said, ''We are confronted with the problems of extraordinary dimensions. All these problems are due to our own doing.'' He cautioned that ''the nature has acute sense of balance and if we disturb the balance, humankind will have to face the consequences.'' Congratulating the winners of the debate, Mr Ansari said the awareness among the masses about these important issues was inadequate. He hoped that the winners would spread the right message among the masses.

UNI