Somashis Gupta, Editor Epic Words share his experience in Cooch Behar, where a public speaking competition at Epic Public School taught him valuable lessons on friendship and the power of young minds.
I embarked on a visit to Cooch Behar, fully prepared to impart my wisdom on creative writing to eager young minds. Little did I know that I would leave with far more than what I came to give — a profound lesson in friendship, no less! I was originally scheduled to depart on the 30th of September, but as fate would have it, the school authorities approached me with a polite request to extend my stay until the 1st of October. Their promise? Something spectacular — a public speaking competition, where I would serve as one of the judges.
Now, to be perfectly candid, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. Spectacular? It sounded suspiciously like the usual round of memorised speeches, rattled off with all the enthusiasm of a soggy biscuit, the usual public speaking competitions. However, being the courteous sort, I agreed to stay on, if only to avoid offending anyone.
What I witnessed on that fateful 1st of October, as the public speaking competition started, has left me utterly gobsmacked. I’d have been kicking myself for months had I missed it! The children of Epic Public School, Cooch Behar, are nothing short of extraordinary. To say they “mesmerised” me would be putting it mildly. These young minds didn’t just speak; they lived and breathed their words. Today, I can openly declare that extending my stay was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
The competition kicked off promptly at 10 o’clock in the morning, with two groups of students ready to showcase their oratory prowess. The first group consisted of students from the 6th, 7th, and 8th standards, while the second group boasted participants from the 4th and 5th standards. The first group had 15 speakers, and the second, a spirited 12.
Now, I’ve faced many challenges in my time, but judging these young prodigies? That was a Herculean task if ever there was one. Each student was a winner in their own right, offering unique perspectives on friendship. Some referenced Sudama and Krishna, those age-old paragons of camaraderie, while others shared personal stories that left not a dry eye in the room. Myself and the other judges were absolutely flabbergasted by the sheer depth of emotion and thought in their speeches. Truth be told, we were ready to declare all of them winners on the spot.
But, alas, competitions must have winners, and so we begrudgingly declared a few. Even so, it was clear to all present that these young stars had already won something far more valuable: the ability to express themselves with sincerity and heart.
I had the pleasure of chatting with Dr. Sanjukta Saha, the school’s Principal, and the ever-visionary Director, Mr. Biswajit Jha. It became apparent that Epic Public School is more than just a place for rote learning and academics. Their mission is to provide true education — the sort that shapes character, broadens perspectives, and prepares students for a future where holistic development takes precedence over mere grades.
As I reflect on my time at Epic, I feel compelled to offer my heartfelt congratulations to each of the students for being absolute humdingers in their own right. They’ve set a high bar not just for future competitions but for all of us who have had the privilege of watching them grow. And to the teachers? Well, they’ve clearly taken on the revolutionary challenge of nurturing well-rounded, thoughtful individuals, and I salute them for it.
So, yes, I went to Cooch Behar thinking I’d be the teacher. In the end, it was I who learned the most valuable lesson — one about friendship, passion, and the boundless potential of young minds when given the right tools. Would I do it all again? In a heartbeat.
