“Speech is power: speech is to persuade, to convert, to compel.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson, an American essayist and lecturer
As we are getting ready to celebrate the life and legacy of Periyar Ayya, we think it would be very fitting for our youth to engage in a heartfelt rhetorical session learning about what turned a common man EVR into “Periyar” indeed. Our intent is to encourage inquisitive young minds to reason, rationalize and fearlessly ask questions especially when something does not connect with the intellect… just the way Periyar did. In an effort to follow in his footsteps and pave the way for more “Periyars” in-the-making, let’s get the word out about few youth events to reel in more participants!
General Rules:
- Registration Deadline: End of day on Sunday, September 15, 2024.
- Language: Speeches can be delivered in either Tamil or English.
- Eligibility: Open to all; participants must adhere to the time limit.
- Recognition: The top performers will receive special recognition and prizes.
Specific Rules:
- Speech Time Limit: Speeches must not exceed 3 minutes.
- Intro with Periyar Quote: Participants are encouraged to start their speech with a Periyar quote after introducing themselves. A list of quotes will be sent to your confirmation email.
- Topic Selection: Participants must choose one of the below listed topics for their speech.
- Topic Restriction: Please note that if a participant selects a topic for the speech event and is also participating in the essay competition, they must choose a different topic for the essay.
- Personal Perspective: Feel free to share your thoughts, stories, or personal experiences related to your chosen topic.
Speech Topics in English:
- Periyar the visionary – How & Why?
- Periyar the most revered brand ambassador for Women Empowerment (WE) past present and future – How & Why?
- Periyar respected/recommended Thirukural among Tamils? – Why?
- Periyar & Ambedkar – Two sides of the same coin? How and why?
- Periyar – Vaikom warrior – Why?
- Periyar and His Ideals
- Self-Respect and Empowerment
- Women’s Rights and Equality
- Rationalism and Scientific Thinking
- Eradication of Caste
- Why Periyar favor Science and rationality?
- Periyar and frugality
- Periyar the Rockstar of Social Justice – How today’s young curious minds perceive him?
- How and why does Periyar have such a huge fan following amongst today’s youth?
- Which principle of Periyar resonates the most within you? Why?
- Hypothetical question # 1: If you could meet Periyar today – What would you ask him and what do you think would be his response?
- Periyar the Great Emancipator? How and why?
- How does superstition affects our lifes ?
- Periyar and Self-Respect – Why did he fight till his last breath for it?
- Why do you think Periyar’s ideologies on uplifting the socially weak and downtrodden still holding a lot of weight today?
- Your thoughts on social justice – do we need it even today?
- Casteism and racism – why do we need to talk about it today?
- Periyar’s influence /impact on societal evils
- Hypothetical questions #2: If you could time travel back, how would you deal with casteism, discrimination and inhumane behavior?
Speech Topics in Tamil:
- பெரியாரும் பெண்ணுரிமையும்
- பெரியார் ஒரு தொலைநோக்குப் பார்வையாளர் - ஏன்? எப்படி?
- பெரியாரும் சமூக நீதியும்
- பெரியாரும் சுயமரியாதையும்
- பெரியார் என்றுமே பெண்ணுரிமைக்கான ஒரு மதிப்பிற்குரிய தூதுவர். ஏன்? எதனால்?
- பெரியாரும் சிக்கனமும்.
- பெரியாரின் பின்னால் ஒரு பெரிய இளைஞர் பட்டாளம் இருப்பது. ஏன் / எப்படி?
- பெரியார் ஏன் தமிழர்களுக்கு திருக்குறளைப் பரிந்துரைத்தார்?
- பெரியாரும், அம்பேத்கரும் ஒரு நாணயத்தின் இரு பக்கங்களே. ஏன்? எப்படி?
- வைக்கம் வீரர் பெரியார் - ஏன்?
- பெரியார் எதனால் அறிவியலையும், பகுத்தறிவையும் போற்றினார்?
- உங்களின் மனதைப் பாதித்த பெரியாரின் கொள்கை எது? ஏன்?
- இன்று பெரியாரிடம் நீங்கள் ஒரு கேள்வியைக் கேட்டால்: அது என்னவாக இருக்கும்?
- பெரியார் ஒரு மீட்பர். ஏன் / எப்படி?
- மூடநம்பிக்கையால் நமக்கு என்ன இழப்பு