JOIN USIt wasn’t any regular Parliament session. Instead of MPs and ministers, college students debated national issues like the Lokayukta Bill, Food Security Bill and legislation on protection of women against sexual harassment at workplace.
Bills were passed too in this special ‘Model Youth Parliament’ after careful consideration and clause-by-clause analysis.
Unlike in Parliament where noisy disturbances often complete the passage of bills, the two-day long ‘My Parliament’ addressed by these youngsters discussed the issues with great seriousness.
Holding the session in the presence of Harsh Mander, special commissioner to the Supreme Court in the Right to Food cases and Manish Sisodia, leader of Aam Aadmi Party, more than 250 students from all across the country were part of My Parliament.
An initiative by the Model Youth Parliament Forum (MYPF), the aim of the My Parliament was to make youth aware about parliamentary procedures and develop an insight into the working of the institution. The event was meant to sensitise the youth about crucial public policy issues.
After the sessions, students reached a consensus on ensuring nutritional security and not just food security for the country. The policy research team discussed the feasibility of implementation of the proposed ammendments and submitted them to Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad.
Supriya Sharma, Convener of Model Youth Parliament says, “Through this event, we are not aiming to compete with the legislators of our country, but are seeking to create an ecosystem of young leaders for tomorrow by giving them a platform to unleash their leadership skills and strengthen their understanding of public policies.”
From the participants, a group of students will be chosen to form an Action Group to work towards different policy issues that need attention. “We believe this platform is the need of the hour given the current political scenario and dearth of leaders who are able to legislate effectively,” says Sharma.
Raghav Garg, who incubated MYPF says, “We, the people of India, elect the parliamentarian. Therefore, it’s our responsibility to vote for the right person. India is the only country where the youth light candles in protest marches and make a difference to important political and judicial decisions.
I say, go forward, take pens and write the future of the country. The Model Youth Parliament made the students aware of the policy-making processes of our country among many other things and changed their mindset about politics.”