29 November, 2007 - For the first time ever, Bhutan will participate and compete against other SAARC countries in the super finals of the 10th Dr Mahbub Ul haq Memorial Inter-school Debate Competition in New Delhi, India, on December 3.

Rinchen higher secondary school, who won the national round, will represent Bhutan. In the national round, five high schools - Rinchen HSS, Nima HSS, Yangchenphug HSS, Kelki HSS and Motithang HSS locked horns on November 7 to debate on “Global warming, melting glaciers and rising sea levels spell doom for the South Asian region: A myth or a reality.”

Ugyen Wangchuk, 19 and Rinchen Lhamo, 18, both class XI-Arts students told Kuensel that they have been preparing hard for the coming debate. They are thorough with their speeches and have memorized all the points.

The topic for the super finals is “Unchecked consumerism and industrialization have led to global warming and climate change, which will affect the poor. The rich are responsible.”

While both of them are passionate about the global warming issue, Rinchen Lham will speak for the motion and Ugyen Wangchuk against.

“We are excited and happy to represent our country and school but are a little nervous too,” said Ugyen Wangchuk, who bagged the best speaker trophy in the national round.

Principal Kunzang Choden Tshering and proprietress Sangay Zam said that they are proud that their students are representing Bhutan at an international level. “We are hoping for the best, but it’s their participation that’s important,” said the principal.

Ugyen Wangchuk and Rinchen Lham will leave the country on November 30.