Yaaseen Bin MalickKannur: Violations exist in every part of the world and human rights are still more a dream than a reality, said the students who participated in the English elocution with one accord. Yes, this year’s topic for the English elocution for higher secondary school students was the violation of human rights. Out of the 15 participants, 10 were girls and most of them showed their skill in expressive speech. But this boy from Thiruvananthapuram came out to be more of a well-read person among those who came to participate in the English elocution Wednesday.
Yaaseen Bin Malick, a XII student of Christ Nagar HSS, Kowdiar, stood different from all the other participants and undeniably deserved the first prize in the competition held here at Kalolsavam on Wednesday. While some spoke with gestures and hands along with words, Yaaseen created a style of his own by sticking to the topic of human rights violation. He knew that time was of the essence. He also knew that a topic like violation of human rights is not something one can talk about in a few minutes. Still, he did his best while many stood in awe.
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But what’s so special in elocution? Most of us have seen students learning by heart some famous quotes of writers and leaders like Martin Luther King and Mahatma Gandhi and spewing out all of them in one single speech. But everyone was all ears as soon as he began his elocution. The modulation, pronunciation and the use of words were exceptional and it was sure that he is an impeccable orator. While many students urged to raise voice against the violations of human rights, Yaaseen reminded all of us about those who were deprived of many rights especially freedom of speech. Starting from Rohith Vemula, he spoke about the gross violation of human rights and blatant discrimination allegedly practiced by UoH and JNU. Yaaseen gave no chance for anyone to think twice. Instead of using puffed up quotes and pompous words, Yaaseen spoke about the human violations that took place in JNU, mentioning Kanhaiya Kumar and Anirban Bhattacharya and he didn’t even forget the justice that was denied to Jisha and other rape victims.
Yaaseen reiterated that it’s not a privilege we are demanding and that it’s the right we all are said to have been given already. When asked he said that he has been participating in debates and discussions from the fourth standard and tries to get updated by reading newspapers and magazines. “We see human rights violations every single day. I have a lot to talk about but this is the only stage I have to explain what I have been keeping in my mind for so long,” said Yaaseen.
The young lad, who has already participated in more than 100 discussions, is a member of a debater’s forum and has won prizes in events like JAM (Just a Minute), and other inter-school competitions. He has also been part of MUN (Model United Nations), an academic competition in which students can learn diplomacy and international relations.
A future JNU aspirer, Yaaseen is also fond of reading fiction and his favorite author is Alexander Dumas. “I am right now reading Jeffrey Archer’s Best Kept Secret and I believe one should read a lot to mold oneself,” said Yaaseen. When asked whether he was prepared for the competition, he said, “I thought they would ask about demonetization as it’s trending everywhere but human rights violation is something I have been discussing in many forums,” said Yaaseen.
Yaaseen's father Mohammed Malik is a retired panchayat secretary and mother Seena Malik is a registrar. Yaaseen's mother Seena, who herself is a lover of literature, has trained him from his childhood days. "My son was always hard working and his mother who herself is a great speaker has played a great role in shaping his oratory skills," said Mohammed Malik who is very happy to hear the news of his first prize.
