Our Correspondent
KOHIMA, OCTOBER 30
The state level Parliamentary Quiz & Youth Parliament Competition 2015 was held on Friday at the Capital Convention Centre, Kohima with secondary level students from across the state in participation.
Thoidambo of Peren district was adjudged the winner of this year’s edition of Youth Parliament while Thurnoralü of Kohima and Salanyala of Mokokchung won the second prize, and Michael Th. Lapon of Wokha and Hikugha H Wotsa of Zunheboto came third. In the Parliamentary Quiz Competition, Dimapur district won the first prize while Kohima and Phek bagged the second and third prizes respectively.
Minister for Social Security & Welfare and Parliamentary Affairs, Kiyanilie Peseyie who graced the occasion as the chief guest, lauded the Education department and the coordinating departments including Parliamentary Affairs for making this event an annual feature to impart the knowledge of democracy to the youth.
“The outstanding merit of democracy is that by making people to chose and participate in public affairs, it compels people to consider public issues and form their opinion on them. And one of the rationales of democracy is that everybody gets a chance to be heard,” the minister said.
Therefore, he feels it apt for such a platform as the Youth Parliament to educate, train and prepare students in their role as citizens in a democracy.
Peseyie mentioned that holding mock parliaments were approved as early as 1962 to encourage students to familiarize themselves with the law making procedure and develop a democratic ethos at early age.
It is important to train the students from the secondary level to acquaint themselves the procedure and norms of the parliamentary system because in the recent years many young leaders have become members of the parliament without any corresponding chance to get requisite training and exercise at the local or state levels, he stated.
He further urged educational institutions to organize such programmes along with the academic curricular activities and train students so that they become good citizens in the society.
Secretary for Parliamentary Affairs and Law & Justice, KN Chishi also spoke on the occasion.
