Aonkita Dey
“Debating teaches you resilience. Sometimes in life, you can’t do anything else besides working hard; if you have done enough, it will truly pay off.”- Aonkita Dey’s (Senior, ESS) story of dedication and perseverance lives up to the testament. Her journey of achievements through debating has inspired many. Aonkita believes that debating is truly like a sport; it requires strategy, knowledge, and a will not to give up till the end.
Aonkita’s list of accomplishments goes a long way. From winning national tournaments to representing Bangladesh on the world stage, she left a mark of excellence everywhere. Recently, she was awarded the VC’s Special Recognition Certificate for her team’s spectacular win at the BUET PreUADC 2025 Championship, also becoming ‘Debater of the Tournament’. However, success didn’t come too easily when she began debating in 2016. Aonkita competed in various tournaments until 2019 when she finally made it to the national team. “It was truly an amazing moment, especially as I was the first female debater in five years to get into the national team”, Aonkita shared. She reflected on the poor representation of female debaters in Bangladesh due to the meager encouragement they receive. Aonkita toppled every hurdle thrown in her way as she was set to compete in the World Schools Debating Championship 2020 with her team in Mexico, but unfortunately, due to COVID, they couldn’t.
“Debating truly hardwires a person with traits like empathy, consistency, and patience, which can be applied in all aspects of life.”- Aonkita believes that debating helped shape her into the person she is today. Currently the director of the BracU Debate Club and also the co-founder & General Secretary of the BracU History Club, Aonkita often found herself engaging in multiple interests besides debating, like doing an art business or even reaching the top 5 in Miss Universe Bangladesh 2021.
“People need to experience things without feeling the fear of failure. If you want to start doing something out of passion, then start it right away; never think it’s too late. Life is more fun and interesting that way.”- Aonkita’s introspective perception about life is what makes her keep flourishing.
