The future of democracy in the country is at risk in the absence of plurality of thought, said Superintendent of Police K. Annamalai, here on Saturday.
Inaugurating The Hindu-Rostrum inter-collegiate State-level English debating competition, Mr. Annamalai said plurality is the essence of democracy where a person is free to express his/her own opinion. Sadly, many politicians believe their opinion to be the correct one and refuse to hear counter-narratives.
Stating that debate was part of democracy, Mr. Annamalai referred to the book “The Bridge” on former U.S. President Barack Obama that says Mr. Obama was receptive to contrasting views while forming his own opinion on issues.
Mr. Annamalai said it is in college that that debating skills can be honed. Participating in competitions helps in getting complete knowledge of issues.
Lauding The Hindu for holding the competition, Mr. Annamalai credited the newspaper for his achievements in the Civil Services Examination. “I have not missed a single day reading the newspaper in the last 10 years,” he said and pointed to crisp editorials wherein issues are explained in 150 words.
Nearly 200 teams from different parts of the State are participating in the competition.
