Debate Competition under Vigilance Awareness Week 2025

Organized by: Department of Electronics & Communication Engineering, BK Birla Institute of Engineering & Technology (BKBIET), Pilani
In Collaboration with: CSIR–Central Electronics Engineering Research Institute (CEERI), Pilani
Date: 30th October 2025 (2:30 PM)
Venue: BPTRC Hall 1, BKBIET Pilani

Introduction

As part of the observance of Vigilance Awareness Week 2025, BK Birla Institute of Engineering & Technology (BKBIET), Pilani, in collaboration with CSIR–Central Electronics Engineering Research Institute (CEERI), Pilani, organized a Debate Competition on 30th October 2025 at BPTRC Hall 1, BKBIET Campus. The theme of Vigilance Awareness Week 2025.

The purpose of the debate competition was to ensure that ethical values are integrated into the minds of the young generation and to encourage open discussion on issues of transparency, digital transformation, and accountability. The topic for the debate was “डिजिटल लेनदेन को अनिवार्य बनाकर ही भ्रष्टाचार का उन्मूलन संभव है / Eradication of Corruption is Possible Only by Making Digital Transactions Compulsory.” This topic was selected to encourage participants to analyze both the benefits and challenges of digitalization in the fight against corruption.

Event Details

The event commenced at 2:30 PM with the presence of several distinguished dignitaries and guests. The program was graced by Prof. (Dr.) B.K. Rout, Director, BKBIET Pilani, as the Chief Guest, and Prof. Anil Kumar Sharma, Principal, BKBIET Pilani, as Guest of Honour. Special guests from CSIR–CEERI Pilani included Shri Gurmender Singh (ASO–Recruitment), and Shri Rajan Tirkey (SO–Recruitment), whose presence added value to the occasion and reflected the strong academic partnership between the two institutions. The program was organized under the leadership of Dr. Santosh Jangid, Head, Department of ECE, BKBIET Pilani, and coordinated by Dr. Rajeev Kumar, Assistant Professor, Department of ECE.

The judging panel for the competition comprised esteemed academicians from BKBIET:

1. Puja Kumari, Assistant Professor, Department of ECE
2. Rajesh Singh Shekhawat, Assistant Professor, Department of Electrical Engineering
3. Gautam Jangir, Assistant Professor, Department of Computer Science & Engineering.

A total of 21 students from various years and branches, including ECE, CSE, EE, ME, and CE, participated enthusiastically in the competition. Each participant was allotted 10–15 minutes to speak either in favour of or against the topic, and they could choose to present their arguments in either Hindi or English. This flexibility encouraged greater participation and allowed students to articulate their ideas confidently in their preferred language. The participants were evaluated on a comprehensive set of performance criteria designed to assess both the depth of content and the quality of delivery. The evaluation parameters included Knowledge and Relevance (25 marks), which assessed the participant’s understanding of the topic and factual accuracy; Clarity and Communication (25 marks), which judged articulation, fluency, and logical flow; Content Organization (25 marks), which examined the structure and coherence of arguments; and Body Language and Time Management (25 marks), which evaluated confidence, eye contact, and adherence to allotted time. This balanced scoring framework ensured that both intellectual content and presentation skills were equally recognized.

The event began with a welcome address by Nikita Jakhar (Anchor – Student Coordinator), who extended heartfelt greetings to the dignitaries, judges, and participants. He emphasized that the debate aimed not only to encourage analytical thinking but also to inspire ethical responsibility among future engineers. Dr. Santosh Jangid, Head of the ECE Department, highlighted the importance of vigilance awareness and the role of young professionals in fostering a corruption-free society. He motivated students to express their views with confidence and clarity while maintaining respect for diverse perspectives. The formal inauguration was conducted by Prof. (Dr.) B.K. Rout, Director of BKBIET Pilani, who appreciated the joint effort of BKBIET and CSIR–CEERI Pilani in organizing such a meaningful event. He stated that collaborative initiatives like this not only strengthen academic partnerships but also promote social consciousness and ethical learning among students. He encouraged students to become ambassadors of integrity and innovation in their professional lives. Prof. Anil Kumar Sharma, Principal of BKBIET Pilani, also addressed the gathering and congratulated the Department of ECE for successfully organizing the competition. He praised the enthusiasm of the participants and highlighted that debates are an effective way to enhance analytical thinking and communication abilities while deepening understanding of real-world issues like corruption and digital governance. The invited guests from CSIR–CEERI Pilani, Shri Gurmender Singh, and Shri Rajan Tirkey, expressed their appreciation for the collaborative spirit and shared their views on the significance of digitalization in promoting transparency. They spoke about how technological solutions like e-payments, digital documentation, and online governance platforms play a crucial role in building a transparent administrative ecosystem.

Event Highlights

The debate then proceeded with participants presenting well-researched and thought-provoking arguments. Those speaking in favour of the motion emphasized that compulsory digital transactions would ensure traceability, reduce the handling of cash, and minimize opportunities for bribery and tax evasion. They argued that a digital economy can bring transparency, accountability, and convenience to public life while curbing the scope for corruption. On the other hand, participants speaking against the motion argued that while digital transactions promote transparency, they cannot single-handedly eliminate corruption, which often stems from human intent and systemic flaws. They also highlighted challenges such as cyber security risks, digital illiteracy, and the exclusion of rural populations from the digital framework. The entire session was highly interactive and intellectually engaging. The audience, comprising faculty members and students, appreciated the logical reasoning and confident expression of each participant. The judges observed that the participants demonstrated commendable preparation, awareness, and presentation skills. Their arguments reflected not only technical understanding but also moral and social insight into the subject matter.

After all participants concluded their speeches, the judges evaluated the performances based on the defined criteria. The results were then compiled, and the top four winners were identified for their outstanding performances. These winners will be awarded certificates and prize money by officials of CSIR–CEERI Pilani during a felicitation ceremony scheduled on 14^th November 2025. All participants were recognized with certificates of participation as a token of appreciation for their efforts and enthusiasm.

Concluding Remarks

The competition concluded on a note of intellectual satisfaction and collective motivation. The participants and audience alike gained a deeper understanding of the complexities of corruption and the role of digital transformation in addressing it. The event successfully achieved its objective of encouraging young students to think critically about governance, ethics, and digital integrity. It also strengthened the partnership between BKBIET Pilani and CSIR–CEERI Pilani, showcasing how academic institutions can collaborate to promote the spirit of vigilance, transparency, and good governance.

In his concluding remarks, Prof. (Dr.) B.K. Rout, Director, BKBIET Pilani, commended the Department of ECE and CSIR–CEERI Pilani for their collaborative initiative. He appreciated the confidence and knowledge displayed by the students and encouraged them to stay vigilant, ethical, and informed about the ongoing digital revolution shaping the nation. He also reiterated that educational institutions play a crucial role in nurturing responsible citizens who uphold integrity and transparency in every sphere of life. Prof. Anil Kumar Sharma, Principal of BKBIET Pilani, extended congratulations to all the winners and acknowledged the efforts of the organizing team. He expressed his satisfaction over the successful conduct of the event and encouraged more such academic and awareness-oriented activities in the future. He appreciated Dr. Rajeev Kumar for his dedicated coordination and leadership in organizing the competition effectively. Finally, Dr. Rajeev Kumar expressed sincere gratitude to the Director, Principal, Head of Department, judges, guests, and all participants for their active support and cooperation. He mentioned that such collaborations provide valuable opportunities for students to enhance both academic and moral learning. He also expressed hope that BKBIET and CSIR–CEERI Pilani will continue to pursue similar collaborative ventures in the future, thereby promoting academic excellence and ethical awareness. In conclusion, the Debate Competition under Vigilance Awareness Week 2025 was an enlightening and impactful event that reinforced the values of integrity and awareness among the students of BKBIET Pilani. Through a blend of intellectual debate, ethical reflection, and academic collaboration, the event contributed significantly to shaping socially responsible and ethically conscious engineers of tomorrow. The resounding success of this event stands as a testimony to the institution’s commitment to promoting integrity and transparency in all aspects of education and governance, setting a strong foundation for continued partnership and progress in the years to come.