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After the exhilarating win at Regional Round of BT Acumen 2008, we had a break of few days before the National Finals. Topics were given to us much before the event so as to ensure top quality debating, and the entire evening was going to be tele-casted as a TV episode.
We were slotted to face IIFT-Delhi in the semi-finals and the other semi-final was between IIM-Bangalore and IIM-Calcutta. Now IIFT was the defending national champion, and hence, we knew that our task was going to be cut out for us. But in a way, it pumped us even more, and we relished the challenge thrown at us. We had to speak 'against' the topic, "India's Demographic Dividend is Nothing but Marketing Hype". We did lots of research and analysis in the days building up to the event and even though me and Maclo were in different cities (our vacations had started), we still worked together over the net to ensure that we are well-prepared. It was a tough but interesting topic and had a huge scope for throwing a lot of facts and figures that could be used to take either stand on the topic. Come D-Day and both of us felt very confident about the thoroughness of our preparation.

As we reached one of the grandest hotels in Mumbai, the venue for the event, we realized just how big this thing was! The eminent crowd consisting of senior managers from the two sponsor companies, cameras and wires spread all around and Harsha Bhogale, again at his wittiest best... I surprisingly remained quite calm amidst all this excitement. I knew I couldn't afford to get over-awed by the occasion and had to be relaxed.

The moment finally arrived and as usual, Maclo started the proceedings. It was always this ways. He would be the first one to speak and I will do the other half and the conclusion. I really don't know why we stuck to this pattern. Guess we just didn't want to change luck! As the debate went on, it became extremely interesting and I actually started enjoying myself out there. Both teams were thoroughly prepared with all facts and figures on their finger-tips! The great thing was that we both referred to the same Goldman Sachs report and used it to arrive at contrasting conclusions, giving the report our own interpretations. And neither was wrong... it was just how you back it up! After the gripping 12 minutes, it was time for Q&A, and oh boy, what a grueling session that was! Judges went with hammer and tongs at both teams but I feel me and Maclo handled the questions better and with more confidence. The good thing was that we both spoke almost equally unlike our competitors where one person answered most of the questions. It was a sight to see... both me and Maclo were working like a well-oiled machine... discussing the answer with each other comfortably and then automatically one of us would step up to answer without any hitches. I loved the way we complemented each other.

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* Contributed by -
Vinamra Srivastava (Campus Associate),
PGP - 2,
Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad.