Prime Minister Narendra Modi had given an important direction to the youth, who are working towards taking India forward through innovation, and new thinking in various fields during Maanki Baat programme in 2017.
New Delhi/11.01.2021/HE Times/ V Raj Babul
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla addressed the participants at the Inaugural Session of the Finals of National Youth Parliament 2021, organized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, and the Lok Sabha Secretariat in the Central Hall of the Parliament House today.
The Minister of State (IC) for Youth Affairs and Sports, KirenRijiju; MP Rupa Ganguly; Secretary General, Lok Sabha Utpal Kumar Singh; Secretary ,YouthAffairs Usha Sharma; Secretary,Sports, Ravi Mittal, 84 finalists of state level Youth parliaments and senior officers of M /o YAS and Lok Sabha Secretariat were present on the occasion today. This year the National Youth Parliament Festival is being organized as a part of National Youth Festival which is celebrated every year from 12th to 16th January.
Noting that the people’s faith in democracy has continued to increase, Birla said that in the last seven decades, Indian democracy has continuously thrived and strengthened itself. Birla added that the strength of Indian democracy could be seen from the fact that the transfer of power has always occurred smoothly and as per our democratic traditions.
He added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had given an important direction to the youth, who are working towards taking India forward through innovation, and new thinking in various fields during Maanki Baat programme in 2017. Speaker expressed the confidence that in the coming years, Indian youth would be at the forefront of an innovation based world through their technical knowledge and skills.
Earlier Speaker paid tributes to former Prime Minister Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri whose death anniversary is being observed today. Birla said that Shastriji, who embodied the values of simplicity and steely resolve, gave the slogan of ‘Jai Jawan Jai Kisan’ for India’s soldiers and farmers, who toil everyday to keep our nation safe and secure.
Speaking on the occasion, KirenRijiju said that it is indeed a historic moment that young people of our country are participating in the National Youth Parliament in the Temple of Indian democracy and thanked the Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla for providing this unique opportunity. Remarking that Swami Vivekananda’s birthday on 12th January is celebrated as National Youth Day, Minister said that new initiatives have been taken this year to involve the youth in fulfilling the vision of Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat.
Highlighting the momentous significance of the Central Hall, the Secretary General, Lok Sabha Utpal Kumar Singh said that the idea of Youth Parliament was mooted by the Prime Minister to expose the Parliamentarians of tomorrow with the parliamentary procedures and the cut and thrust of debates. He hoped that the Youth Parliamentarians will find the two-day experience enriching and rewarding and in the not too distant future, some of them might occupy some of the seats in the Houses of Parliament.
Today’s function began with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp .The Valedictory Session is scheduled to be held tomorrow. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will virtually address the young participants and interact with them. This festival has seen the participation of a large number of youth from all over the country and 84 candidates are participating in the final event after winning at the District and State Levels. The jury for the Finals comprises of RoopaGanguly, MP (Rajya Sabha), Parvesh Sahib Singh, MP (Lok Sabha) and senior journalist and writer PrafullaKetkar.
