DISTRICT-LEVEL YOUTH PARLIAMENT HELD AT UCC NONGPOH

A district-level Youth Parliament is being held at Union Christian College (UCC), Nongpoh, with the objective of encouraging young people to engage meaningfully with democratic processes, public policy and the responsibilities of citizenship.
Organised by the Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) of Union Christian College and funded by the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly, the programme is being conducted under the theme “Empowering Youth for Democratic Leadership and Responsible Citizenship.” The event also forms part of the college’s ongoing 75th Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
The inaugural session was attended by Shri Thomas A. Sangma, Speaker of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly, as the Chief Guest. Other dignitaries included Shri Malthus S. Sangma, MCS, Secretary of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly; Shri Ronnie V. Lyngdoh, Member of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly; Dr. R. M. Manih, Principal of Union Christian College; and Dr. C. R. Lyngdoh, Member of the Meghalaya Public Service Commission (MPSC). The programme also brought together other dignitaries, faculty members and students from various colleges across Ri Bhoi district.
A key highlight of the Youth Parliament is a debate on the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, with participants deliberating on whether the policy adequately equips students with the knowledge, skills and competencies required to secure employment and meet the evolving demands of the future workforce.
The subsequent session focuses on national and local issues, with particular emphasis on the impact of social media on the mental health of young people. Participants are set to deliberate on whether social media is primarily “a tool for connection and information or a threat to well-being.”
The programme has been designed to provide young participants with practical exposure to parliamentary procedures, structured debate, public policy and legislative deliberation. Through simulated parliamentary proceedings and discussions on contemporary issues, the initiative seeks to strengthen democratic awareness, critical thinking, leadership abilities and civic responsibility among the youth of Ri Bhoi.
Addressing the gathering, the speakers congratulated Union Christian College for organising the initiative and underscored the importance of Youth Parliament as a platform for young people to express their views, engage with pressing public issues and develop the confidence, leadership skills and civic responsibility necessary to become active and informed participants in the democratic process.
Adding significance to the occasion, a book titled A Journey of NAAC Assessment and Accreditation of Rural College, edited by Ashish Malhotra and Rudolf Manton Manih, was also released during the programme.

BYTE: THOMAS A. SANGMA, SPEAKER MEGHALAYA LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY

Source & Wire Service: Prasar Bharati SHABD (DD / Akashvani News)