The grand culmination of the Second Edition of Shri Arun Jaitley Memorial Debate (SAJMD) took place on 12th April 2025 at Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC), in an illustrious Award Ceremony that paid rich tribute to oration, intellect, and legacy. The ceremony was marked by a vibrant confluence of academic brilliance, rhetorical finesse, and statesmanlike reflection. A total prize purse of ₹2,50,000 – equally allocated between English and Hindi categories – was conferred upon the deserving winners, underscoring the institution’s commitment to nurturing eloquence and critical thought across both linguistic mediums.
The event was graced by two eminent dignitaries: Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Honourable Union Minister of Culture and Minister for Tourism, Government of India, who presided as the Distinguished Chief Guest, and Shri Sanjeev Sanyal, acclaimed economist, Member of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC–PM), and a proud alumnus of SRCC, who attended as the Guest of Honour.
In his address, Shri Shekhawat eloquently remarked, “Shri Arun Jaitley was an institution in himself – a man whose legacy transcends politics, leaving an indelible imprint on Indian democracy and discourse.” He extolled Jaitley ji’s unparalleled statesmanship, his unwavering ethics in public life, and his enduring love for his alma mater.
Shri Sanjeev Sanyal, offering profound insight, spoke on the contemporary interplay between industrialisation and sustainable development, linking it thoughtfully with India’s evolving geopolitical realities and macroeconomic contours. Drawing from his own formative years at SRCC, he reflected on how Jaitley ji’s intellectual gravitas continues to shape India’s socio-economic trajectory. His remarks brought the perfect confluence of past legacy and future vision.
The event commenced with a heartfelt Welcome Address by Shri Ajay S. Shriram, Chairman, Governing Body, SRCC, who reminisced warmly about Shri Jaitley ji’s unwavering bond with the institution and his transformational contributions to both the college and the country.
The ceremony concluded with a gracious Vote of Thanks by Professor Simrit Kaur, Principal, SRCC, who eloquently captured the essence of Shri Jaitley Ji’s legacy – a legacy defined by brilliance, vision, and service to the nation. She reaffirmed SRCC’s unwavering commitment to intellectual enrichment and nation-building, inspired by the values that Shri Arun Jaitley ji so passionately embodied.
Organised in proud collaboration with The Debating Society, SRCC and Hindi Sahitya Sabha, SRCC, the 2025 edition of SAJMD adopted a bilingual format and witnessed spirited participation from forty premier institutions across India. These included the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Delhi Technological University, St. Stephen’s College, Lady Shri Ram College for Women, and the University of Mysore, among others. The contest spanned multiple rigorous rounds of debate, culminating in the crowning of national champions.
