“YOUTH PARLIAMENT WOULD GO A LONG WAY IN STRENGTHENING SPIRIT OF DEMOCRACY IN KEEPING WITH MOTTO OF NATION FIRST”
A Akhter / New Delhi
Lok Sabha Speaker Mr. Om Birla today asked youth to work ceaselessly towards taking India to the path of prosperity and progress. Mr. Birla said that for the nation to prosper, it is imperative for the youth to make the significant contribution, which is their responsibility as well as duty.
Addressing 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, Mr. Birla said that in the last seven decades, Indian democracy has continuously thrived and strengthened itself. Mr. 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.
Speaking about the youth and their contribution to nation building, Mr. Birla said that, before Independence, Indian youth was at the forefront of the struggle for freedom. He added that Prime Minister Mr. 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 Maan ki Baat programme in 2017. Mr. Birla 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.
Mr. Birla also said that in a democracy we share our thoughts and experiences, debate and discuss and then reach a conclusion after extensive discussion. This is the strength of the democratic system that gives everyone the right to express their views. He hoped that the Youth Parliament would go a long way in strengthening the spirit of democracy in keeping with the motto of Nation First.
Earlier Mr. Om Birla paid tributes to former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri whose death anniversary is being observed today. Mr. Birla said that Shastri ji, 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. Mr. Birla observed that just like Shastri ji laid the foundation of self-sufficiency in the area of food security for India, Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi is working tirelessly towards the making of Atmanirbhar Bharat.
Mr. Birla also met and interacted with the young leaders who will be competing in the Finals of National Youth Parliament 2021 and encouraged them to do well. Mr. Birla also directed the Lok Sabha Secretariat to provide an exposure to these young participants to the functioning of Parliament so that they could develop a better vision of the democratic functioning.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Kiren Rijiju 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 Mr. Om Birla for providing this unique opportunity. Remarking that Swami Vivekananda’s birthday on 12 January is celebrated as National Youth Day, Mr. Rijiju said that new initiatives have been taken this year to involve the youth in fulfilling the vision of Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat. He noted that youth across India have participated enthusiastically in the 2021 festival of the National Youth Parliament and expressed the hope that the event would provide them a platform to share their social and economic ideas and internalize democratic values. This will indeed be a lifetime memorable event for them.
The function began with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp followed by addresses by Secretary General Lok Sabha Mr. Utpal Kumar Singh; Secretary, Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports Ms. Usha Sharma. Secretary, Ministry of Youth Affairs. Mr. Ravi Mittal gave the Vote of Thanks.
The Valedictory Session is scheduled to be held tomorrow. Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi will virtually address the young participants and interact with them. Lok Sabha Speaker Mr. Om Birla will also grace the Valedictory event.
This festival has seen the participation of a large number of youths 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 Smt. Roopa Ganguly, MP (Rajya Sabha), Mr. Parvesh Sahib Singh, MP (Lok Sabha) and senior journalist and writer Mr. Prafulla Ketkar.