Lok Sabha Speaker Shri 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, Shri KirenRijiju; MP Ms. Rupa Ganguly; Secretary General,Lok Sabha Shri Utpal Kumar Singh; Secretary ,YouthAffairs Ms. Usha Sharma; Secretary,Sports, Shri 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 12^th to 16^th January.

Noting that the people’s faith in democracy has continued to increase, Shri Birla said that in the last seven decades, Indian democracy has continuously thrived and strengthened itself. Shri 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, Shri Birla said that before Independence, Indian youth was at the forefront of the struggle for freedom. In a similar way the youth today must work ceaselessly towards taking India to the path of prosperity and progress. Shri 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. He added that Prime Minister Shri 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. Shri 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.

Shri 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 Shri Om Birla paid tributes to former Prime Minister Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri whose death anniversary is being observed today. Shri 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. Shri Birla observed that just like Shastriji laid the foundation of self sufficiency in the area of food security for India, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi is working tirelessly towards the making of Atmanirbhar Bharat.

Shri 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. Shri 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, Shri 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 Shri Om Birla for providing this unique opportunity. Remarking that Swami Vivekananda’s birthday on 12th January is celebrated as National Youth Day, Shri 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 Minister opined.

Shri Rijiju further added, “This National Youth Parliament Festival is part of National Youth Festival, which will be celebrated from 12th to 16th January. Since 1995, the Department of Youth Affairs has organized 23 National Youth Festivals. The objective is to bring youth of the country together to showcase their talents; provide them platform. ‘YUVAAH – UtsahNaye Bharat Ka” is the theme of this year’s festival, which suggests that the youth bring alive the celebration of the New India. The basic aim is to propagate the spirit, essence and concept of Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat.”

Highlighting the momentous significance of the Central Hall, the Secretary General, Lok Sabha ShUtpal 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.

In her welcome address, SmtUsha Sharma said that the  National Youth Parliament has been organised inspite of challenging circumstances which the country faced last year. The Secretary said that the organization of Youth Parliament demonstrates our determination and resolve to overcome our difficult circumstances and resume the activities of life. This has been a unique experiment in which the youth parliaments at district and state levels were organized through a virtual mode and the finals are being organized in the Central Hall of the parliament today, Smt. Usha Sharma said.

Secretary, D/o Sports, Shri Ravi Mittal , gave the  vote of thanks expressed gratitude to the Lok Sabha Speaker , Shri Om Birla and Lok Sabha secretariat for making Central Hall of Parliament available and giving an opportunity to the young participants to get an experience of the  Parliament and its working.

Today’s  function began with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp .The Valedictory Session is scheduled to be held tomorrow. Prime Minister Shri 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 Smt. RoopaGanguly, MP (Rajya Sabha), Shri Parvesh Sahib Singh, MP (Lok Sabha) and senior journalist and writer Shri PrafullaKetkar.

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