YHD in NYC

May 02, 2016 / Akhil Sud

Consulate General of India, NYC -- Source: NYT

The Yale Hindi Debate was presented at the third annual International Hindi Conference, at the Consulate General of India, Manhattan, on April 30, 2016. YHD Faculty Co-ordinator Professor Seema Khurana and YHD President Akhil Sud, YC '16, represented the debate and spoke about what makes it meaningful and unique.

Lectern for speakers -- Source: International Hindi Conference

Source: International Hindi Conference (Speakers)

The tripartite YHD philosophy -- "Ideas, Language, People" -- was the lens through which the debate was presented, to an audience of academics, diplomats, and journalists. The presentation, which comprised a speech, a short movie, and Q&A, was received with gratifying applause: YHD was seen as a landmark initiative, internationally, for fostering an intellectual space and celebrating the Hindi language. One-of-its-kind, and truly effective.

Part of the presentation was a short movie (compiled, edited, and designed by Akhil Sud, SM '16). Watch it here.

We are extremely grateful to all the organizers of the International Hindi Conference for giving us this wonderful opportunity to talk about this special event -- one that is very close to our hearts. Thank you!

Ballroom at the Consulate General -- Source: Akhil Sud, SM '16

The Ninth Time

April 17, 2016 / Akhil Sud

The Yale University Art Gallery on Friday afternoon - Source: Akhil Sud, SM '16

Friday, 15 April

As spring sets foot in New Haven, so do Cornell, UCLA, Princeton, Rutgers, Columbia, and NYU.

And we're ready for them.

Bonding over samosas -- a classic YHD reception.

Soon, our stage is set.

YHD President and Chairperson Akhil Sud, SM '16, with YHD plaques and banners, under pennants heralding our guests (courtesy of Americana Memories). — YHD President and Chairperson Akhil Sud, SM '16, with YHD plaques and banners, under pennants heralding our guests (courtesy of *Americana Memories*).

Our Faculty Co-ordinator opens the debate, before judges are introduced.

Professor Seema Khurana

Senior Lector
South Asian Studies Council

Yale

Our Judges

Dr. Shaheen Parveen

Lecturer
African, Middle Eastern and South Asian Languages & Literatures

Rutgers

Bhoomika Joshi

PhD Student
Anthropology

Yale

Shikhar Singh

PhD Student
Political Science

Yale

Our Stellar Speakers

An incredible a cappella performance by Yale's Sur et Veritaal

Awards

Best Speaker (Native) | Vipin Sharma, Cornell
Second Best Speaker (Native) | Sanat Khurana, Yale
Best Speaker (Heritage) | Zitni Kaul, NYU
Second Best Speaker (Heritage) | Shivani Patel, Rutgers
Best Speaker (Non-Heritage) | Sam Aldridge, Columbia
Second Best Speaker (Non-Heritage) | Joseph Izaguirre, UCLA
Best Interjector | Ipsitaa Khullar, Yale
Second Best Interjector | Gaurav Pathak, Yale

Dinner

Thank you, everyone, for a wonderful YHD 2016!
See you next year!

Photography at event by Bibek, Gaurav, and Priyankar, Yale University

A Sunny Day is for Shopping

April 14, 2016 / Akhil Sud

The wall of the Apple Store on Broadway (opposite the bookstore) - Source: Akhil Sud, SM '16

To Broadway for national round supplies!

The Yale Bookstore on Broadway - Source: Akhil Sud, SM '16

Prelim, 2016

April 09, 2016 / Akhil Sud

Judges take their place before the event, armed. Left to right: Professor Geetanjali Chanda (Yale WGSS), Ms. Bhoomika Joshi (Yale Anthropology), Mr. Shikhar Singh (Yale Political Science).

Left to right: YHD Faculty Co-ordinator and YHD President --

Professor Seema Khurana (Yale SASC), Akhil Sud (Yale College '16)

Yale SASC faculty member Professor Swapna Sharma

Debate ensues. Left to right: (Top) Edwin Zhang, Adam Willems, Rishi Mirchandani, (Bottom) Shiv Sunil, Sanat Khurana, Gaurav Pathak.

Closing remarks and the award ceremony.

Photography at event by Bibek Basnet, Yale University

Winners
Adam Willems, Best Speaker (Non-Heritage)
Edwin Zhang, Second Best Speaker (Non-Heritage)
Rishi Mirchandani, Best Speaker (Heritage)
Shiv Sunil, Second Best Speaker (Heritage)
Sanat Khurana, Best Speaker (Native) & Best Interjector

Motion + Poster

February 12, 2016 / Akhil Sud

हमारी पीढ़ी कुछ ज़्यादा ही संरक्षित और दुलारी है |

Our generation is too coddled.

Participate | Attend | Host | Get Involved | Get in Touch

An Announcement

February 10, 2016 / Akhil Sud

Too lazy to click on "News"? Probably not, since you're here. But either way -- we've got you covered!

Here's announcing the

Announcement Bar

(the latest addition to the YHD website).

The Announcement Bar will take you to a page where you can see the most recent, most relevant piece of YHD information. It's the thing right on top -- click it if you haven't already, it won't bite.

And if it's not there, then that means we've removed it -- we are always tinkering with the website, constantly updating and improving things!

yalehindidebate.org

February 10, 2016 / Akhil Sud

Born more than two years back, this website gave YHD's beautiful face an audience. Haven't explored us in some time? Or ever? Start here!

People

Apply to be a YHD Board Member

Participate

Why this debate is easier than it sounds

Attend

The Rules

Approach

Philosophy

Prizes

Motions

Gallery

This is just a trailer. The navigation menu will allow you to explore the website's every corner. Still can't find something you're looking for? Get in touch!

Here's what you missed

February 09, 2016 / Akhil Sud

Couldn't make it to the information session? Worry not -- we've got everything you need to know right here!

A quick look at the most important information.

An in-depth look at the event, from the little details to the big picture.

Information for those interested in joining the YHD board.

Apply to the 2016-17 board.

Want to participate? Want to join the board? Have questions? Get in touch! Email akhil.sud@yale.edu.

Coming soon: the motion and the poster. Watch this space!

Want information? We have tons!

February 03, 2016 / Akhil Sud

YHD 16 Information Session | Tuesday, Feb 9, 8 pm | Luce 202

There will be snacks, a vote to choose the motion, and, of course, more information than you can handle!

(Not really -- it'll be the perfect amount of information.)

See you there!

A Yale Halloween

November 03, 2015 / Akhil Sud

Every year, at the stroke of midnight on October 31st, Yale's Woolsey Hall is packed with students in costume, eagerly awaiting the start of the Yale Symphony Orchestra's annual, legendary Halloween Show. As is tradition, YSO screens a a short, silent movie filmed by YSO members, and sets it to live orchestral music.

This year, the movie's plot involved a Yalie spread too thin - with too many extracurricular and academic commitments, and no time for friends. Following certain dramatic events fit for a fantastical Halloween night, her transformation into a Yalie with a healthy workload had the hall cheering with empathy. And we couldn't help but think back to YHD 2015's motion: "All work and no play is the dictum of today."

Oh YSO--we think alike!

Source: Akhil Sud SM '16 — Source: Akhil Sud SM '16

The Big Day, 4.17.15

April 20, 2015 / Akhil Sud

Participants arrive at Yale on a beautiful Friday afternoon,

Old Campus on the afternoon of Friday, April 17th - Source: Akhil Sud, SM '16

and head to 34 Hillhouse Avenue.

Luce Hall Common Room, 5:00 pm
Tea Reception
Students and faculty meet each other and eat delicious snacks; to calm the nerves and the appetites.

Luce Hall Auditorium, 6:00 pm
The stage is set.

Left to right: Smita Shukla, SM '15, Student Organizer; Akhil Sud, SM '16, YHD President

The 2015 motion waits for its attackers and defenders:
"आज का मन्त्र - बस काम ही, आराम नहीं |"
"All work and no play is the dictum of today."

Opening Remarks

Professor Seema Khurana, Senior Lector, SASC, Yale University; YHD Faculty Co-ordinator

Professor Geetanjali Singh Chanda, Senior Lecturer, WGSS, Yale University; Member of YHD Judging Panel

Finally, debate ensues.

Meet the Stars of YHD '15

Adam Willems, Yale

Hallie Swanson, Columbia

Brenna McDuffie, Harvard

Robert King Bruce, NYU

Jessica Saifee, Wellesley

Emily Hays, Yale

Megan Moran, UCLA

Iqra Bakhsh, UCLA

Tazin Banu, NYU

Anjali Aidasani, Columbia

Divya Alukal, Wellesley

Diksha Brahmbhatt, Yale

Sukriti Chadha, Princeton

Pranam Daga, Purdue

Yamna Anwar, Harvard

A mesmerizing a cappella performance by Yale's
Sur et Veritaal

The Award Ceremony

Best Speaker, Non-Native Non-Heritage
Adam Willems, Yale

Second Best Speaker, Non-Native Non-Heritage
Brenna McDuffie, Harvard

Best Speaker, Non-Native Heritage
Iqra Bakhsh, UCLA

Second Best Speaker, Non-Native Heritage
Divya Alukal, Wellesley

Best Speaker, Native
Sukriti Chadha, Princeton

Second Best Speaker, Native
Yamna Anwar, Harvard

Best Interjector
Pranam Daga, Purdue

Second Best Interjector
Diksha Brahmbhatt, Yale

The interjector prizes: a $25 iTunes gift card for play, and a $25 Starbucks gift card for those late nights of work that could do with a bit of caffeine - Source: Akhil Sud, SM '16 — The interjector prizes: a $25 iTunes gift card for play, and a $25 Starbucks gift card for those late nights of work that could do with a bit of caffeine - Source: Akhil Sud, SM '16

Awake with celebratory festivity, Luce looks out into the dark Hillhouse night as participants leave.

Luce Hall on the night of Friday, April 17th - Source: Akhil Sud, SM '16 — Luce Hall on the night of Friday, April 17th - Source: Akhil Sud, SM '16

Perhaps it means to say:

See you next year!

Event photograpahy by Anamika Veeramani, Yale University

The stage awaits

April 11, 2015 / Akhil Sud

Attend | Host | Get Involved | Get In Touch

We have our motion!

March 28, 2015 / Akhil Sud

आज का मन्त्र - बस काम ही, आराम नहीं |

All work and no play is the dictum of today.

Well is it? Come find out--on the 17th of April, at 6 pm, in Luce 101.

Weren't at the info session?

February 20, 2015 / Akhil Sud

Here's what you missed:

1. Pumpkin cake with cream cheese frosting
2. Lemon bars
3. Brownies
4. Information
5. More information

You can still participate! Get in touch.

Come one, come all!

January 31, 2015 / Akhil Sud

Come to our information session!
Feb 20th, 7:30 pm, Bass Library: Room L-01-A

Participate | Attend | Host | Get In Touch

Mark your calendar!

January 25, 2015 / Akhil Sud

The Yale Hindi Debate's 2015 dates are decided!

April 17th | 6pm | Luce Hall Auditorium

Participate | Attend | Host

Stay tuned for more information
or simply
get in touch!

Ushering in the New Year

January 01, 2015 / Akhil Sud

Have a wonderful new year, and a happy YHD 2015!

Happy holidays!

December 11, 2014 / Akhil Sud

The tree in the common room at Silliman College, Yale University - Source: Akhil Sud SM '16

Look what we found

November 25, 2014 / Akhil Sud

An original photograph from the first year of the debate. #vintage #notreally #butstill

Meet the stars of YHD 2014

May 22, 2014 / Akhil Sud

Let's celebrate the speakers at the 2014 national round.

Photography at the event by Karthikeyan Ardhanareeswaran, Yale University

The Winners

Best Speaker, Native
Vidyalakshmi Mahadevan, Upenn
tied with
Tanvi Bikhchandani, Columbia

Second Best Speaker, Native
Gautam Chopra, Yale

Best Speaker, Non-Native Heritage Undergraduate
Rishika Dewan, Princeton

Second Best Speaker, Non-Native Heritage Undergraduate
Saloni Gupta, Rutgers

Best Speaker, Non-Native Non-Heritage Undergraduate
Carson Carruth, UT Austin

Second Best Speaker, Non-Native Non-Heritage Undergraduate
Azza Cohen, Princeton

Best Speaker, Non-Native Graduate
Justin Ben-Hain, Columbia

Second Best Speaker, Non-Native Graduate
Thibaud Marcesse, Cornell

Best Interjector
Shivani Bhatt, Yale