‘Democracy: A challenge for young minds’

State level parliamentary quiz & Youth Parliament competition held

Kohima, October 3 (MExN): A State level parliamentary quiz and Youth Parliament competition was held on October 3 at ATI Imagine Hall, Kohima. The event was organised by the Department of Parliamentary Affairs under a theme 'Democracy: A challenge for young minds'.  

‘Youth parliament is a platform for youth to share their ideologies and opinion through debates and helping them to take part in policy making and also highlight the need for new thinking to take the country forward’ said Minister for Forest, Environment & Climate Change and Parliamentary Affairs CM Chang during the competition.  

Chang remarked that law making bodies in the county discusses various local, national and international issues and the decision are taken up at parliament which effect the whole country. Such events, he added, are necessary at school and college level so as to train students for their role as citizens.  

He also said that to strengthen the roots of democracy and to encourage democratic culture such event will go a long way in equipping future legislators for their role in the country’s parliament and state legislatures. He also encouraged the teachers to make a conscious effort to build human resources with hope, encouragement, talent and potential in the youth.  

Commissioner& Secretary, Department of Parliamentary Affairs, Motsuthung Lotha in his welcome address pointed that, our State has the means, the good will, the people and the resources to eliminate poverty and reduce inequality. He said that it is within our grasp, but it will not happen unless we write this new story; a story of people, their relationships, their dreams and their hopes for a better tomorrow. He urged the young people to have better life chances than what they have and carry a great potential to achieve this goal. If the young people of today are not focused, not educated and not organised then the future is doomed, he added.  

He stated that the Department of Parliamentary Affairs continues to play a pivotal role, creating platforms like this to promote the youth to speak up and impact agenda for change, a platform that inspires the youth to express their views in an organised manner and facilitate grooming of future leaders.  

He further encouraged the youths to take pride in knowing that you are an asset to every nation as you bring innovative ideas, you bring perspectives, new ideas, and inject lot of energy in our quest to move the nations forward.  

The programme was chaired by Asst. Professors, Kohima College, Dr. Eunice Alinger. Vote of thanks and co-ordinator remarks were delivered by Co-ordinator & Asst. Professor, Kohima College, Evothung Ezung.