MRPL – Sahyadri Inter-Professional-Collegiate Debate Competition 2018 at Sahyadri Campus
Mangaluru: Mangaluru Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited (MRPL) in association with Sahyadri College of Engineering & Management held an Interprofessional Collegiate Debate Competition on the theme “Eradicate Corruption- Build a New India”, in the Sahyadri Campus on 2nd November 2018. Students of engineering, medicine, dental and management disciplines from sixteen professional colleges in Mangaluru and the Udupi region participated in the Debate Competition. One of the primary objectives of the Central Vigilance Commission is to create public awareness against corruption and the observance of vigilance awareness week every year that is observed from 30th October to 4th November 2018.
K. Upendra Rao, Dy. General Manager (Vigilance), MRPL was the Chief Guest for the inaugural function. In his inaugural address the chief guest spoke on corruption and effects of corruption. He thanked Sahyadri and the Central Vigilance Council for organizing the debate competition. He stated that the results of a survey show that 50% of Indians have paid a bribe at some point of time in India. He gave examples of how countries like Hong Kong have reduced corruption through education and Singapore imposed stringent laws from the first day of Independence to eradicate corruption. He encouraged the youth to strongly work towards the eradication of corruption and also stated that change should start from within.
He also encouraged the participants and wished the programme all the success. Dr Srinivas Rao Kunte presided over the function. He encouraged the students to participate well. He stated as to why following ethics such as sincerity and integrity are vital in one’s life. He said that we as citizens have to be responsible and take steps to make India corruption free. Shri. H.V. Manjunatha, Chief Manager (Vigilance), MRPL welcomed the gathering and Dr. Molly Chaudhuri, HoD Training coordinated the event. The Master of Ceremonies was Ms. Haseena.
Dr. Malini Hebbar, Mrs. Veera Katpitia, Mrs. Preetham Kamath, Ms. Divyashree Gatti, Mrs. Prateeksha Hebbar, Mr. Sushil Gupta, Mr. Praveen Pinto, Mrs. Savitha Salian, Mrs. Lyra Pinto, all members of Toastmasters were the judges for the event.
The Chief Guest for the Valedictory programme was M Venkatesh MD, MRPL, Mangaluru. He presented the Certificate of Commitment to the principal Dr Srinivas Rao Kunte and assured their support to Sahyadri always. In his address to the gathering, he gave insights on how we come from different cultures and how to always be upright in all our endeavours. He highlighted that we need to be transparent and never ever do a wrong thing that breaks trust. Learning from our mistakes is a part of human culture. He emphasized on Belief and Trust as part of every team and we should work with high levels of honesty and unparalleled integrity. It was his firm belief that one day we will surely have a corruption-free India. He also spoke about Regulatory Authorities are a part of our system. They teach us the right system rather than punishing us for our mistakes. He concluded by stating we need to be the people who would bring a change and to be that change.
The Guest of Honour Sri Rajeev Kushwah, ITS, Chief Vigilance Officer MRPL, Mangaluru, gave insights into the Vigilance need. He spoke about the demand and supply side of corruption. He pinpointed that whenever we are doing anything which is not right, it is corruption. He illustrated that even when students bunking classes; it is moral corruption. He encouraged students to live a life of honesty and integrity and to make the right judgement of what is right and wrong. He asked the students to take the Integrity pledge and always to maintain the highest standards of integrity. He called on the student community to the CVC on eradicating corruption.
Dr Srinivas Rao Kunte, Principal, Sahyadri College of Engineering & Management delivered the presidential address stating that we need to give opportunity to young minds to debate and give ideas for an AntiCorruption Programme. Any influence must not drive us to miss out the ethics such as integrity, honesty and truth. He encouraged students to practice the good qualities of honesty and integrity with their family in their homes. If a family always encourages right things in the house, their children will also do the right things. He thanked MRPL for partnering with Sahyadri to organize the event. He encouraged the students to be consciously true and be a role model for the future generations.
Dr. Molly Chaudhuri welcomed the gathering and introduced the guests. Mr. H.V. Manjunath, Manager, Vigilance MRPL, thanked the Chairman, Principal, the entire MRPL team, the contestants, the judges and the management of Sahyadri for making this event a success.
Shri Upendra Rao, DGM (Vigilance), Chief Manager, (Vigilance), Shri Prashanth Baliga, GM, Corporate Communications, and several other dignitaries from MRPL were present. Ms. Calida Royce D’ Souza was the Master of ceremonies for the Valedictory function.
The results of today’s event are:
The First Prize was bagged by – Fathima Shakir & Shubhang Bhandarkar, National Institute of Technology – Karnataka ( NITK), the second prize by Tabinda Nasim & Yogya Akkineni, Yenepoya Medical College and the third prize by Arslaan Kolo & Akash Lobo G from St Joseph Engineering College, Mangaluru. The Best Debater prize was given to Nivya Rodrigues from Sahyadri College of Engineering and Management.