Guntur, September 30, 2026 (JOurnalist FIle) : The semifinals of “Vaad-Vivaad 2026,” a series of speech and debate competitions being conducted in Telugu and English to promote analytical thinking, communication skills and public speaking among young people, were held at Vasireddy Venkatadri Institute of Technology (VVIT), VVIT Pro-Chancellor Vasireddy Mahadev said.
The competitions are being organised by the AE Foundation with the support of the Government of India’s Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports through the MY Bharat initiative and the Andhra Pradesh Youth Welfare Department. Around 120 students selected from various colleges and universities participated in the semifinals.
The participants expressed their views on the central theme “India in the 21st Century: Our Country’s Identity and Significance in the Global Order.” The competition provided students with an opportunity to analyse contemporary issues, present arguments and communicate their perspectives before an audience.
Andhra Pradesh Youth Welfare Department Commissioner and SAAP Managing Director S. Bharani, IFS, attended the programme as the chief guest and presented prizes to the students who emerged victorious in the semifinals.
Addressing the participants, Bharani urged students and young people to stay away from excessive digital distractions and develop the habit of reading books to build meaningful knowledge. She said many young people were spending significant amounts of time watching short videos and reels on smartphones, while lasting satisfaction came from achievements and from doing something beneficial for society.
She emphasised that adequate subject knowledge was essential for speaking confidently and effectively in public. Bharani said students should develop the ability to express their views with confidence in public forums and among groups.
She also cautioned students about relying heavily on social media for information, saying it should not be treated as a substitute for credible sources. Excessive social media consumption, she said, could affect concentration and consume valuable time.
Regular reading of newspapers and books could improve concentration and broaden knowledge, Bharani said, encouraging students to cultivate reading as a daily habit.
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