Debacle at the Debate

Yesterday was a day of wins and losses. In May this year, I participated in the Human Rights debate. Subsequently, Sunil and I were chosen to represent NSG at the Zonal level. We cracked that level and emerged tops. The national semis and finals were held on 15th and 16th respectively in Delhi. In the semis, we faced 15 other teams from a total of eight zones. The BSF team was well prepared. Not to our or anyone else's surprise, we topped it here too, entering the finals with gusto and the confidence of another win. We were facing only 14 other participants. It was now a battle between 8 teams for the top spot. I guess our confidence was misplaced. Both of us spoke well enough to get us an 'I' grading but not well enough to win a position. On a lower level, it was the 'Dabangg' BSF vs the 'Three idiots' (Sunil, Malik and I). The BSF took almost all the top honours. I don't know what we should have done. Rejoice for our parent organisation or feel sorry for letting down our present one? The jury for the finals consisted of the chairman of the NHRC, K G Balakrishnan, former CJI, three DG rank officers and the resident editor of the 'Week' in Delhi. What such an eminent panel was looking for shall remain a mystery.