The spirit of logic, youth, and expression echoed across Dinajpur as the DDS National Debate Festival 2025 concluded in grandeur at Dinajpur Adarsha College on October 10–11.

Organised by the Dinajpur Debating Society (DDS), the two-day event drew over 1,500 students from across Bangladesh, making it the largest national debate festival ever held in Dinajpur and North Bengal.

With the vibrant slogan "A Roar from the North," the festival celebrated the region's growing intellectual and cultural momentum. Since its founding in 2017, DDS has played a leading role in promoting debate and critical thinking among students. Its signature event, the National Debate Festival, has continued annually since 2018 - except during the COVID-19 hiatus.

The 2025 edition featured a diverse range of competitions, including school-level traditional debates, college parliamentary debates, barowari debates, public speaking, quizzes, and case-solving contests. Highlights included participation from:

Adding cultural vibrancy, the festival also hosted humorous and regional debates that reflected North Bengal's linguistic and creative diversity.

A major attraction was the "Meet the Celebrity" session featuring three of Bangladesh's most popular social media personalities — Mashfik Enam Turjo ("The Humour Tablet"), Farhan Sadik ("Liliput Farhan"), and Md. Fahad Hossain, educator and founder of Fahad's Tutorial. Their lively discussion with students mixed humor, motivation, and personal insight, creating an unforgettable experience.

"Beyond textbooks, such co-curricular festivals cultivate logic, confidence, and communication skills among students," said Md. Mustafizur Rahman Rupam, CEO of Vabna and Advisor to DDS. "It also strengthens the cultural and intellectual network among youth across the country."

The festival was led by DDS Secretary General Amlan Mostafiz and managed by President Nobel Mahfuz, with guidance from core advisors Dr. Ashika Akbar Trisha, District Veterinary Officer of Dinajpur, and Md. Mustafizur Rahman Rupam, CEO of Vabna.

The closing and award ceremony featured Professor Dr. Abdur Razzaq, Principal of Dinajpur Government College, as Chief Guest. Special guests included Professor Dr. Bikash Chandra Sarkar (Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science & Technology University), Dr. Ashika Akbar Trisha, Md. Mustafizur Rahman Rupam, Assistant Commissioner Sujoy Kumar, Lecturer and Writer Bidhan Kumar Dutta, Md. Fahad Hossain, and Promothesh Shil, former Senior Correspondent of NTV.

Labby Ahsan, delegate of The Daily Star, attended as the official media partner representative.

The festival concluded with a spectacular live concert by Dhulikana, North Bengal's most popular band, bringing the two-day celebration to a euphoric end — truly "A Roar from the North."