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Minister of forest, environment and climate change and parliamentary affairs, CM Chang, speaking at the state level quiz and youth parliament held in Kohima on October 3.[/caption]
Our correspondent
Kohima, Oct. 3 (EMN): The annual parliamentary quiz and youth parliament competition was held at ATI complex on the theme "Democracy: A challenge for young minds" by the department of parliamentary affairs with CM Chang, minister of forest, environment and climate change and parliamentary affairs, as the chief invitee.
The minister, in his address, said that youth parliament is a platform for the youth to share their ideologies and opinions through debates, thus helping them to take part in policy making and also highlights the need for new thinking that will take the country forward.
He also said that it was a platform where the youth can step forward and question the policy makers if they are not satisfied with the status quo, thereby creating an agenda for change. He mentioned it was therefore necessary to devise suitable programme at the school and college level to train students for their role as citizens of a democratic country. He added that the primary role of education was to make students competent enough to consider public issues and form their opinion judiciously.
"Youth is a season of hope and aspiration. It is a time where one can be moulded and trained in a way to serve the country better. This can be through inter-group relations; across the table discussion; in family affairs; in local and national affairs. In schools and colleges, we give importance to individual rather than to group product", he added.
Delving into the importance of holding youth parliament, the minister said it equips the youngsters in the art of honing their debate and public speaking skills and thereby help them to adapt and react to situations such as debating and group discussions.
He also added that youth parliament will go a long way in equipping future legislators for their role in the country’s parliament and state legislatures by strengthening their roots of democracy and to encourage democratic culture.
He appealed to the teachers to make a conscious effort to build human resources out of hope, encouragement, talent, untapped energies and unexploited potential of the youth.
Motsuthung Lotha, commissioner and secretary, department of parliamentary affairs, in his welcome speech, said Nagaland has the means, the good will, the people and the resources to eliminate poverty and reduce inequality but it will not happen unless the people write this new story; a story of people, their relationships, their dreams and their hopes for a better tomorrow.
He also shared his optimism that the youth parliament will contribute immensely to the deepening of democracy by stating that it was one of the most effective tools for involvement and participation of the young citizens in the legislature.
He also said the future of the state was in the hands of the young people of today as the direct consequences of their lack of focus especially in the field of education and the pursuit of knowledge will be the doom for Nagas as a society.
Welcoming all the delegates of the youth parliament, the commissioner said that the long standing commitment of the department was to train the youth and ensure their full participation in the making of a better world to live.
He also added that the department of parliamentary affairs will continue to play a pivotal role, creating platforms to promote the youths to speak up and impact agenda for change.
Earlier, during the parliamentary quiz competition, students representing Kiphire district bagged the first position, followed by Tuensang and Kohima-I.
During the youth parliament competition, the first place was bagged by Kevizeno from Kohima district followed by Helena Patton, Wokha on second position. The third place was shared jointly by Hyulo Tsela representing Kohima and Milika V Jakha, Zunheboto district.
The programme was chaired by Dr. Eunice Alinger, assistant professor of Kohima College, and the vote of thanks was offered by Evothung Ezung, Co ordinator and assistant professor of Kohima College.
