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Neiba Kronu addresses the students at the State-Level Quiz and Youth Parliamentary Debate Competition held at Imagine Hall, ATI Kohima on October 18.[/caption]
Our Correspondent
Kohima, Oct. 18 (EMN): The State-Level Quiz and Youth Parliamentary Debate Competition 2019 organised by the department of Parliamentary Affairs was held at Imagine Hall, ATI Kohima with Minister for Planning & Coordination, Land Revenue and Parliamentary Affairs, Neiba Kronu as special guest on October 18.
Addressing the participants, Kronu highlighted how “Youth Parliament” came into being in 1972 from “Mock Parliament” prior to 1967 and asserted that the practice had benefited students throughout the country.
He urged the students to make best use of technological advancement in the 21st century that has made the world a global village, enabling a person to access information from anywhere. "Even if there are so many opportunities, unless you give your labour and unless you try to learn something, you cannot compete with others," he said citing the life story of former US president, Abraham Lincoln.
The minister opined that Nagas have an advantage in English language that has turned into one of the most “expensive commodities.” “We have bright future; now we are having a tough time, we have bad roads, we have other issues and political problems...but all these things will be over after sometime. Good times will come,” he said.
Telling the students not to worry about jobs, he maintained jobs are everywhere for smart, hardworking, honest and sincere people. He also urged the students to take opportunities and platforms to groom their skills through practice in order to use in future when time comes to share and express opinions.
The commissioner and secretary for Parliamentary Affairs, Motsuthung Lotha said that youth parliament contributes immensely in deepening of democracy and that it is one of the most effective tools for involvement and participation of young citizens in the process of legislature.
“This kind of platform inspires the youth to express their views in an organised manner and facilitate grooming of future leaders,” said Lotha. He also asserted that the department of Parliamentary Affairs’ long-standing commitment is to train the youth and ensure their full participation in the making of a better world to live.
“It is therefore important to create platforms like this for our youth to showcase their talents and present their ideas towards promoting development, peace and democracy,” he said.
Debate
In the state parliamentary debate competition, students debated on the topic: “Lack of governance is responsible for slow growth and development in Nagaland”.
The treasury bench moved the floor stating that ethnic conflicts, non-cooperation and attitude of the people are the hurdles of the development in the state. They also lamented that Nagaland state, despite an investment destination; people are not prepared for change, adding that dependency syndrome must be done away with to take the state forward.
Another speaker asserted that the youths are neither willing to work physically and mentally, nor venture into entrepreneurship but depend on ‘salary economy’ that resulted in slow growth. Growth of state’s literacy rate was one of the most-talked topics and the speakers expressed the need to pull the resources of the state from quantitative growth to qualitative growth.
The bunch of speakers from the treasury bench maintained that public also need to be educated about good governance, adding that new initiatives and schemes will impact the overall growth of the state.
On the other hand, the opposition left no stone unturned on the shortage and lack of infrastructure in the state, not self-sufficient agriculture sector and the poor administrative system with rampant corruption.
The speakers from the opposition repeatedly pointed out poor road condition, healthcare and institutional delivery services. The opposition also highlighted non-availability of medical college in the state which those in the treasury bench could give a befitting reply.
Unemployment issue among the Naga youth, government turning deaf ear to the voices of the public, sub-standard infrastructure, lack of industry and opportunities were some of the most pitched topics put up by the opposition speakers to counter the treasury bench.
In the Parliamentary Quiz, Wokha district topped while Longleng district and Peren district stood in the second and third positions respectively.
In the Youth Parliamentary Debate Competition, Joy Makhal, who represented Dimapur district, won the competition, while Thungchobeni T Ezung from Wokha district stood in second position and Kevedűlű Nakro form Kohima district in third place.
Students from Ten districts viz. Dimapur, Kiphire, Kohima, Longleng, Mokochung, Mon, Phek, Peren, Wokha and Zunheboto participated in both the competitions.
