There is blue sky. There are petalled hearts. There are bees with winged wheels, flying far away. There is stick and hand that beats to the whimsical tunes. There are words. Words that I die for. I like the word “ensconced”. Once I used this word in a poem titled “hearts”. There was repetition of “ensconced”. I read the word again and again.
“Ensconced” means to settle someone in a comfortable place.
Words come in different textures. There are sad words, happy words, angry words, words that surprise us, hate words and then words that annoy us. When all words get to gether, there is discussion and debate. There is art of doing things. Even to talk, to discuss and debate. There are people who enjoy talking; some can entertain others through debate and talk, while some will make others relaxed and peaceful. Such ability is innate, I think.
Romesh De Silva is one of the lawyers I love to see talking. Especially when trials are taken up at courts. Well-disciplined and gut feeling. His words are power ridden. They are intense and exciting. He knows the art of talking back. There is no serious hurting. Beautiful! I was retold an incident that had happened in courts sometime back when Romesh De Silva took up a case before a judge.
“The Judge was furious. Romesh was not too old in the profession. The Judge knew that Romesh could do rebels in court. These young puppies should be locked in kennels, the Judge screamed. Romesh calmly stood up and said, it’s time for old dogs to be taken away from the kennels sir. There was anger boiling within. “
This is what one should master. Not necessarily to hurt somebody , to fight or to bend heads down when critisisms come in your way . In the profession, one should know to keep their heads up. It’s a blood sport. Your words are your weapons. Good lessons for every Lawyer and Lawyers to be.
The SriLanka Law College, since its inception, have been conducting moots, mock debates and debating tournaments to teach the art of talking and arguing. English debating is rare in the Higher Education System of SriLanka. There is a need to create a proper debating forum at University level. Thus Law College is now in its way to bring all Local Universities together. Hulftsdorp Debates are coming soon!
“Hulftsdorp Debates “is an effort of the English Literary Association of the Law College. This year’s competition will mark its third tournament in the running as the premier Higher Educational English Debating challenge in the Island. It’s very first competition was won by the Law College in year 2012 after a tight fight with the Arts Faculty of Colombo University , University of Kelaniya ,University of Sri Jayewardenepura and University of Peradeniya.
2013 was significant with many changes that occurred in the competition. A Novices championship round was introduced for the teams that did not qualify for the championship round. This was officially won by University of Jaffna while Law College became the Runners Up. Novices were exclusively for any two teams that haven’t participated in tertiary level debating competition. This was an effort taken by the debating organizers to encourage debating, provide recognition and opportunity for the participants.
Law College being the initiative of such competition, they are happy that participants are increasing now. The Law Faculty of Colombo University, University of Jaffna, University of Sabaragamuwa and Kotalawala Defence University also became a part of the tournament last year. That year Arts Faculty of Colombo University became Champions while Moratuwa University were the Runners Up.
Hulftsdorp Debates 2014 is scheduled to be taken up at the Law College premises on the July 26th and 27th. The Debators’ Council like last year will oversee the tournament.
Debating is popular in the field of Law, Politics and Humanities. But it is important that every one of us learn to articulate our ideas despite what career we may follow up. Because learning to believe your ideas and being brave enough to put them out is what gives birth to honesty and genuineness.
Let’s wait and see how words will ride heart chariots, twist tongues and turn heads at Law College soon.
0 comments:
Post a Comment