Literary Events

Gender Equality is a Myth in Nagaland

Concept note:

Gender refers to the socially constructed roles, behaviours, expressions and identities of girls, women, boys, men, and gender diverse people. It influences how people perceive themselves and each other, how they act and interact, and the distribution of power and resources in society. Gender identity is not confined to a binary (girl/woman, boy/man) nor is it static. Nagaland has traditionally been a patriarchal society, with women being the caregivers and taking precedence over the domestic sphere, while family names are carried forward through sons, who are also the family members that inherit family land. WIth the coming of modernity, and interaction with other cultures, this norm has undergone a radical change with gender roles being constantly redefined and reimagined. This is however, a gradual change. 

For the Motion: Gender Equality is a Myth in Nagaland

Though there is a building awareness of gender and its politics among the educated and academic circles in Nagaland, most of Nagaland remains patriarchal. There are separate sets of freedoms and choices given to the members of Naga society, solely based on their gender. Women are still expected to be caregivers, be feminine, and adhere to the Biblical values of chastity and purity more sternly. There are still protests against the reservation of seats for women in ULB elections. Men in Nagaland have more freedom, and at the same time must adhere to the traditionally masculine behaviour, making phenomenons like stay-at-home husbands pretty rare and unheard of. Other gender identities like the transgenders, gender neutrals, non-binaries, agenders, pangenders, genderqueers, two-spirits, third genders, and others are deemed flawed and immoral, making their rights obsolete in Nagaland. Gender equality therefore does not exist in Nagaland

Against the Motion: Gender Equality is not a Myth in Nagaland

Women in Nagaland have always enjoyed a certain level of independence, and even though they were restricted to the domestic sphere, they have always been integral members of the Naga society. Thousands of Naga women now work outside the home – in Nagaland, the country, and abroad, and contribute to the world in several ways, for example – Dr Dolly Kikon (Senior Research Advisor at the Australia India Institute), Theyiesinuo Keditsu (‘Mekhala Mama’, academician and promoter of Naga culture), and Monalisa Changkija (Writer, and Founding Editor of Nagaland Page). Many organizations in Nagaland have introduced the concept of paternity leave, and we have had two women candidates winning in the recently held Nagaland state elections. Many Naga men have taken on jobs considered feminine before, and have become chefs and opened restaurants around the country. Naga men have also taken up baking professionally, professional cleaning services, makeup artistry, and catering, and all of these are now socially acceptable. Gender equality therefore exists in Nagaland.

RULES:

Constitution of the teams:

1. The competition is open to all bonafide students of Higher Secondary,  Undergraduate, and Postgraduate students of the participating colleges/institutions. The participants must produce their institutional ID card during registration.
2. One participant must be sent from each institution. Names have to be submitted to Tetso College by the 31st March (Friday).
3. The teams (for and against), and sequence of speakers will be decided a day in advance of the debate on the basis of draw-of-lots, therefore all debaters have to present on campus for this.
4. If there are more than 12 participants in all, a preliminary round will be held on the 4th of April (Tuesday) in Tetso College. In this case, the institutions will be informed two days before the preliminary round.

 

The Flow of the Debate:

The Speeches (marks awarded for this):

1. There will be only one round. The debate will open with the team supporting the motion, followed by a member of the opposing team.
2. The opening speaker (chosen by draw-of-lots) from each team, will get additional time (4+1: Warning bell at 4.5 minutes) to set the tone for the debate, in affirmation or negation of the motion as the case may be.
3. The duration given to each speaker will be 4 minutes (warning bell at 3.5 minutes).

Question/Answer round (marks not awarded for this):

1. After all speakers have addressed the audience, each team will get the chance to ask two questions to the opponent team. The question must be to the point, short, direct, and not in the form of a statement.
2. Anyone from the oppponent team can answer the question in 3 minutes.

 

Summation (marks not awarded for this):

1. At the end of the debate, the opening speakers will summarize their team’s views on the motion, beginning with the leader opposing the motion. The time allotted for this purpose shall be 3 minutes.

Other rules:

1. Negative points may be awarded for violating the established norms of the debate.
2. Use of props (paper chits, clipboards, digital devices, etc.) will not be permitted. Debaters MUST NOT read their arguments.
3. Exceeding the time limit will result in negative marking.
4. No heckling, harassment, or vulgarity is allowed at any time during the debate. The decorum of the house has to be maintained by all debaters.
5. Unparliamentary gestures, words, and actions will not be tolerated and will result in either disqualification or negative marking.
6. In case of dispute in judgement, the matter shall be referred to the honourable judges, whose decision shall be final and binding.

Incharges:

Dr Rosy Tep, HoD – English (#60095 33361, rosy@tetsocollege.org)
Anjan K Behera, Asst. Dean (English & Politcial Studies), #93668 25779

Theme: Dream. Think. Do.

Rules:

1. Poems can be in any style on any of the following sub-themes:
   1. Motherhood
   2. Culture
   3. Love
   4. Nature
   5. Technology
   6. Dreams
2. The competition will be open only for solo participants and not groups.
3. Two participants will be allowed from one Institution.
4. Each poet must perform original composed work.
5. The poet is allowed to use props or costumes if required including the environment and the objects it offers – microphones, mic stands, the stage itself, chairs on the stage, the aisle, background music).
6. Memorization is not required or necessary. The poet may choose to bring a sheet of paper or chapbook to read off their poems.
7. Reading out the poem from Phones will lead to disqualification.
8. Each poet is limited to five (5) minutes of performance.
9. The poet is allowed additional one minute (1) time to adjust the microphone and get settled after which the timekeeper will start the clock.
10. A warning bell will ring at 4 minutes and the final bell will ring twice at the 5th minute.
11. Participants are to adhere to the theme and sub-themes for their poetry.
12. The Judges’ decision will be final in case of any discrepancies.

INCHARGES

Kevibeinuo Nguzhulie, #80146 47180

Thejasanuo Khezhie, #97749 37199

Theme: “HEARING THROUGH COLOURS”

Guidelines:

• The competition is open to all bonafide students of Higher Secondary,
  Undergraduate, and Postgraduate students of the participating
  colleges/institutions. The participants must produce their institutional ID
  card during registration.
• A maximum of 01 participants from each college. Names have to be
  submitted to Tetso College by the .
• Participants will be given a maximum of 45 minutes.
• Participants are to bring their own art supplies (brushes, pencil, acrylic
  etc.) *Only A3 sheets will be provided.*
• The decision of the Judge shall be final and binding.
• Participants shall be judged on the following criteria:
  1. Clarity on the theme (10 marks)
  2. Skills and Techniques (20 marks)
  3. Originality & Creativity (20 marks)

Incharges:

Ms. Payal Dutta (Asst. Prof) – Commerce & Management (#89744 16152,
payal@tetsocollege.org)
Shwisho Lorin (Asst. Prof) – Sociology (#93660 07167, shwisho@tetsocollege.org)