The Debating Society of India Organizes a Joint India–Pakistan Debate in the Capital

NEW DELHI, January 11, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

Addresses Engagement Between Civil Society Members in Promoting Lasting Indo-Pak Peace

The Debating Society of India (DSOI) in association with the Debating Society of Pakistan organized a Joint India-Pakistan Debate at the Taj Palace Hotel, New Delhi.

The event featured eminent Indian and Pakistani diplomats, lawyers, parliamentarians and media personalities speaking on the India-Pakistan narrative.

The debate was organized to achieve a more holistic approach to the motion 'Engagement between members of civil society is by far the most important factor in promoting lasting peace between India and Pakistan'. Teams supporting either side of the proposition were made of two Indians and two Pakistani speakers.

The Pakistan delegation included Mr. Javed Jabbar, prominent Pakistani writer, advertising executive, politician, intellectual and former Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Mr. Najam Sethi, leading media personality, TV doyen and political commentator, Mr. Salman Raja renowned lawyer, authority on legal issues and debater, and Mr. Wajahat Khan, former Shorenstein fellow (Harvard University) and international TV journalist of repute.

Mr. Mani Shankar Aiyer, Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha), Mr. Salman Haidar, former foreign secretary, Mr. Kabir Bedi, film, theatre and television personality and Ms. Shoma Chaudhuri, prominent journalist comprised the Indian delegation at the debate, which was moderated by Dr. Shashi Tharoor, Minister of State for Human Resource Development, author and columnist.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Deepak Verma, President, The Debating Society of India said, "A joint India-Pakistan debate between members of civil society, which expresses the citizens viewpoint, is a vital initiative for promoting constructive dialogue, and harmony."

An elite audience of over 600 people attended the debate, including senior members of the foreign diplomatic corps in India, Members of Parliament and the bureaucracy, corporate captains and leading businessmen and luminaries from the world of art, culture and literature, thought leaders and intellectuals and eminent members from the media.

About the Debating Society of India

The Debating Society of India is a recently established, autonomous, not-for-profit society established to raise standards of debate and oratory in India. The society will organize regular bilateral debate events featuring eminent members of civil society from India debating with members of civil society from countries that are critical to India's long-term interests. For further information, visit www.debsocindia.com

Primary Media Contact: Divya Mehra, [email protected], 91-9811753523