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global chronicles in the news!

our top national level debaters

highlights of national and international successes of speech and debate india's teams!

SPECIAL: STANFORD & HARVARD UNIVERSITY TOURNAMENTS 
Speech Debate India Stanford Harvard Uni

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR GRADE 6-11 STUDENTS SELECTED FOR STANFORD & HARVARD!

The Stanford University and Harvard University Debate Tournaments were held in February 2021 and 2022 with typically the top 1-2% of Middle School and High School debaters in the United States, China and other countries competing in global events. 90% of our grade 6-11 Global Chronicles course students were selected to compete in the Stanford and/or Harvard University Tournaments!

Learn international debate formats, collaborate with team members, research and develop unique cases on diverse globally relevant topics, and compete for spots at Global Events through Speech and Debate India, the exclusive India partner of the U.S. NSDA.

No prior experience needed. We're looking for academically sharp and curious kids - both introverts and extroverts can succeed in debate. Apply today. Limited Seats!

The Global Chronicles is taught by our Founder, Mr. Rajiv Kacholia to train students for international debate competitions. Mr. Kacholia is an ex-State Champion Debater, and alumnus of Stanford University and Goldman Sachs. Read more about Mr. Kacholia's background and vision here and press articles here.

 

The Global Chronicles next dates and times for new enrollment will be in January 2023. Apply now to reserve your spot. New Students admitted by interview only.

 

Apply for this incredible experience today - The Global Chronicles

Speech Debate India Stanford Harvard Tou
SPECIAL: SPEECH DEBATE INDIA ADVANCES @ GEORGETOWN TOURNAMENT!

SPEECH AND DEBATE INDIA GLOBAL CHRONICLES STUDENTS IN THE NEWS:

Speech and Debate India students advance Globally!

“It was a Fairy Tale Beginning!” To rewind, Speech and Debate India’s Founder, Mr. Rajiv Kacholia described the journey, “As we were completing our first year, I wanted our students to start experiencing the excitement of international debate events. The potential for challenge and development was more imperative than the inevitable losses at a global level against veteran programs. On January 2nd, 2021, the Global Chronicles 2.0 course was launched, with a unique pedagogical approach to train gifted students for international debating formats, in-depth topic analysis, and developing robust affirmative and negative cases.”

The greatest surprise? Mr. Kacholia added, “My goal was for our teams to become globally competitive in 5 years. So, it was a deeply proud moment, after just 5 weekends of coaching, as we all gathered online after each round at the Stanford University Debate Tournament in February to hear that some of our teams were already starting to win international tournament rounds. And now in 3 months, one of our High School teams won 5 of 6 preliminary rounds. We were thrilled! They then powered through Doubles, Octa finals, and Quarterfinals, all the way to Semifinals at the Georgetown University Debate Tournament – that was incredible, an unexpected early milestone!”

Advancing Indian debate. In its first 3 months, Speech and Debate India’s Global Chronicles students have rapidly advanced India on the global debate map. Middle School and High School Global Chronicles teams have been recognized as finalists by reaching elimination rounds at each of its first four tournaments. These have included Stanford University, Harvard University, and the recent Georgetown University Debate Tournaments.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY FINALISTS - MORE BELOW FROM OUR SUPER-ACHIEVERS!

Aahana Khemani, Speech and Debate India (Middle School division), reflections: “The Georgetown University Debate was an absolutely amazing experience. My partner and I were completely astonished that we made it to the elimination rounds, and were extremely nervous! However, we won the first round and regained our confidence. We were over the moon after that round! Despite losing the second elimination round, I personally, learned a lot once I reflected back on the tournament. Debate wise, I learned that it’s important to have a consistent response for every argument the opposition brings on. Generally, I learned that alongside debating passionately, it’s the little fun moments that count!”

 

Ayraah Lodha, Speech and Debate India (Middle School division), reflections: “The Georgetown University debate tournament was amazing! I think we went up against some phenomenal teams, and it was a great learning experience. This was only my second debate tournament ever, so as the rounds started I was extremely nervous in my cases and thought I was going to mess up, as well as the tournaments time going on through the night, because of where we live  as the rounds progressed I realized there was no need too, and if I just let lose and had fun that was what would be memorable. And this experience was! I think I got so engrossed in our cases and was extremely passionate about them, that they even after hours and hours of debating through the night, I still wanted to do more. Overall, this experience was something that taught me how to be passionate about debating and just have fun, and I could not have asked for it to go better.”

Prahlad Madhu, Speech and Debate India (High School division), reflections: “And as I shut down the laptop, sighed in relief, with a smile on my face, and told Shivani to get some rest, I knew it was all worth it. All the constant preparation, the phone calls, the talks about ice cream, and the jokes we cracked. It had helped us reach somewhere we couldn’t even imagine we’d be. On Sunday, after two rigorous days of debate at the Georgetown University tournament, I sat down and reflected on the mammoth treasure of learnings I had been subject to. The exposure I had basked in. and the journey I had undertaken.

 

For every single research paper, every single session courtesy of Mr. Rajiv, they’d culminated into what I could never dream of. As quite an outspoken ninth grader from the small town of Manipal, I could never dream of doing something like this. Learning about endogeneity, about pro-cyclical and counter-cyclical policies, about neoliberalism and neocolonialism. It all just felt like a fairy tale. Only it wasn’t.

 

In every fairy tale though, there are some fabulous characters. Some exceptional elements. And this tale was no short of those elements. From Shivani, who is arguably one of the greatest debaters I’ve seen, to Ms. Ritika, for just the constant motivation, and just filling the zoom call with pomp, the surplus of such characters. We had our amazing coach Mr. Rajiv, who was just there for Shivani and I irrespective of the time, always backing us, sometimes with great evidence cards, and other times with sheer words. Personally, I had with me two wonderful people. One in Mumbai, one of the most amazing teammates, and brilliant individuals, Shivani, and one who kept giving me coffee to even stay up for these debates, my loving dad. This was what made today possible.”

 

Shivani Shrotri, Speech and Debate India (High School division), reflections: “The Georgetown Spring Tournament was an incredible opportunity where I was able to not only display my debating skills, but learn from other top debaters around the world too. For example, I learned an interesting cross fire strategy from one of our opponents.


I think my favorite part of the experience was the adrenaline rush after each debate because it gave me a surge of positive energy and an increased confidence level. For someone who was unable to confidently and coherently express their thoughts just a little more than a year ago, I can certainly say that debate (especially tournaments such as these) has improved my self-esteem and my overall sense of identity. Therefore, although it took a lot of time and effort, the experience was completely worth it.


Furthermore, the support and assistance provided to us before and during the tournament by our debate academy really helped us learn from our mistakes and improve each round. Hence, any victory we had was a result of the unique pedagogical approach equipped by our coaches to train us.”

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Speech and Debate India Student Reflecti
speech and debate india advances at stanford & harvard tournaments

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR GRADE 6-11 GLOBAL CHRONICLES 2.0 STUDENTS!

Speech and Debate India students competed with some of the best teams in the world recently. Below is a brief highlight clip from the Harvard University Debate Tournament Award Ceremony where our Speech and Debate India team is recognized.

Waitlist for this incredible experience today - The Global Chronicles 4.0

global chronicles students reflect on stanford & harvard tournaments

GLOBAL CHRONICLES STUDENT HIGHLIGHTS:

Speech and Debate attracts some of the most talented and accomplished students across India. We love their

  • "After the round just jumping with my teammate and getting really excited for the next one."

  • "When everyone got together in Global Chronicles we shared such funny stories from our rounds."

  • "The experience was very thrilling along with the fact that it was an 'international' tournament. Additionally staying up at night was very fun too."

  • "I also liked that we had the access to watch rounds from different divisions too."

  • "The other team accidentally saying we should win"

  • "To be really honest joining GC in the breaks and having one of our judges forget final focus existed :)"

  • "The best part was logging into GC and talking about what happened in the round and just joking around."

  • "My favorite memory was probably talking to the other teams after our round and helping each other with our cases and other things that we could work on."

  • "We went up against a team from Vancouver and we had this amazing debate and at the end we all ended up laughing and having a good time."

  • "I made friends during my last debate and now we are friends and follow each other on Instagram. I also am very thankful to all the other competitors from S&D for motivating me and talking to me during the breaks. It's a really fond memory of mine as they motivated me to push myself as much as I could. "

  • "Debating with people from around the world straight from China to Canada was definitely the most memorable. Meeting judges and talking to them was also really enjoyable. Overall it was truly a unique and incredible experience!"

  • "If I had to be totally honest my favorite was definitely joining GC right after our rounds only because I got a little view on how everyone else's debates were. The rounds itself were awesome too because all the teams we went against were so strong and their cases were magnificent so it helped us improve ours."

  • "I had fun spectating the High School Rounds and i had got few points for our debate from it too and i had a great time with my teammate in the round and through the breaks"

  • "Without a doubt, preparing the cases with my teammates, and of course the global chronicles meet after each debate."

  • "Researching, interacting with a lot of experienced debaters, the competitiveness"

  • "The entire experience was fun and enthralling."

  • "I liked debating with people around the world."

  • "Some of the best moments were spectating other rounds and admiring the quality of debate, exhilaration after winning, working on feedback after losing, the thrill of rebutting and knowing that the round is working in your favor and heartfelt pep talks from my coaches between rounds."

  • "I absolutely loved the communication between teams and the level of debate even if I wasn't quite there yet. I loved how every team had their own story and adventure. Speech and Debate India pulled together to achieve something almost impossible within a few days, that's awesome. The fact that we were able to do that signifies that everyone here is a force. It was a different level of debate and a new experience in terms of attending."

MORE STUDENT HIGHLIGHTS AND TESTIMONIALS:

  • Speech and Debate attracts some of the most talented and accomplished students across India. We love their energy, commitment, and pursuit of passion. Listen to more about their inspiring journey at speechdebateindia.com/students

  • Follow our students on https://www.instagram.com/speechdebateindia

  • Traditional education with teachers simply imparting knowledge is failing to holistically prepare kids.
     

  • U.S. Debate is research-backed, engaging students in a thrilling learning experience and proven to boost grades, critical thinking, and balanced leadership. Debate can pay back in productivity gains, making school easier, with debaters typically in the top 10% of their class.
     

  • U.S. Debate Aumni include Jeff Bezos (Amazon), Jack Dorsey (Twitter), Ted Turner (CNN), Oprah Winfrey; U.S. Presidents John F. Kennedy, Jimmy CarterRonald Reagan, and Bill Clinton.

"Confidence, eloquence, friendliness, and open-mindedness... truly essential for leaders."  Mr. Kacholia in Tribune India.

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