Indore (Madhya Pradesh): A thought-provoking debate competition was held as part of the 230th Ahilya Utsav celebrations, hosted by the Ahilya Utsav Samiti. The central theme, “Youth Apathy is the Root Cause of Social Decay,” sparked intense discussion among school students from across the city.
Participants arguing for the motion expressed concern that today’s youth often detach themselves from societal issues, focusing solely on personal growth. They highlighted how social media activism often replaces real-world action and how youth fail to confront injustices like child marriage and gender violence.
On the opposing side, debaters argued that many young individuals are actively questioning outdated norms and using technology to promote change. They asserted that youth aren’t indifferent, but rather face resistance and even legal backlash for speaking up. Forty schools participated, with students divided into groups judged by panels.
The winners included Aakriti Himanshu Verma and Vrish Avasti in their respective categories. The event began with tributes to Devi Ahilya and speeches by Dr Sonali Nargunde and social activist Ashok Adhikari, emphasising youth freedom and social responsibility. The competition was a platform for the new generation to engage deeply with pressing social issues and share their perspectives with confidence.
