Shillong, Mar 3: A two-day Youth Parliament organised by the Tura Christian College and sponsored by the office of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly concluded today after engaging debates, deliberations and critical reflections by participating students.
Youth Parliament is a visionary platform aimed at engaging and empowering students to understand parliamentary democracy and political processes. It seeks to cultivate informed citizenship by exposing young minds to debate, dialogue, and deliberation on pressing societal issues.
The programme witnessed active participation from students, faculty members, and invited dignitaries, marking a significant step in strengthening democratic awareness among youth in the region.
A quiz competition and extempore speech competition were organised, adding further vibrancy and engagement to the programme.
Rajya Sabha MP Wanweiroy Kharlukhi in his address said that a society which neglects or hates its younger generation has no future. He emphasized that the future belongs to the youth and expressed confidence that one among the participants of the Youth Parliament would one day be at the helm of affairs in the State.
He cited the example of Late Dr. Donkupar Roy, former Chief Minister of Meghalaya, who was still a student when Meghalaya attained statehood in 1972 and later rose to hold the highest office in the State in 2008. He also referred to the formation of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in 1999 under the leadership of Late Purno A. Sangma, noting that the present Chief Minister, Conrad K. Sangma, had just completed college at that time, illustrates how today’s youth are tomorrow’s leaders.
Secretary of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly Malthus S. Sangma, stated that the Youth Parliament is not merely about presenting opinions perfectly but serves as a platform to share ideas and understand the functioning of democracy. He said participants must observe how elected representatives debate and conduct themselves out of love for the community. Encouraging the students, he acknowledged that stage fright is natural and commended them for taking the courageous first step.
On the opening day, Assembly Speaker Thomas A. Sangma said the initiative is to nurture democratic values among young minds and reflects the assembly’s continued commitment to encouraging youth participation and strengthening awareness of democratic processes.
“The Assembly is a place where ideas are discussed, questions are raised, and solutions are debated for the welfare of our people. A Youth Parliament gives students the opportunity to experience this democratic process firsthand,” he said.
