INDIA – Swami Vivekanand Government PG College in Lohaghat, Uttarakhand, hosted the Youth Parliament Competition 2024 under the guidance of the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, Government of India. Principal Dr. Sangeeta Gupta expressed pride in organizing the event for the first time, with 250 students participating and a diverse audience of teachers, staff, Army personnel, and locals.
Nodal District Officer Dr. Prakash Lakhera explained that the competition followed themes set by the Ministry and focused on parliamentary question hour sessions. The event opened with a song dedicated to Swami Vivekanand, a unique feature introduced by the students.
The Chief Guest, Superintendent of Police Shri Ajay Ganpati, and Special Guest, Gram Pradhan Shri Mohit Pathak, praised the initiative, emphasizing the importance of youth engagement in democracy. Shri Ganpati noted that the idea of Youth Parliaments was encouraged by the Fourth All India Whips’ Conference in 1962 to strengthen democratic values in educational institutions.
The Youth Parliament Scheme (NYPS), aimed at developing students’ understanding of parliamentary procedures, leadership skills, and public debate, was a key focus of the event. Dr. Gupta concluded by highlighting the role of such competitions in encouraging the youth to actively engage with public issues and democratic processes.