Bhubaneswar, April 17: The youth have a pivotal role in shaping the destiny of the nation and strengthening the democratic process, Bhabani Shankar Bhoi, Deputy Speaker of the Odisha Legislative Assembly, said on Friday.
“Countries where the democratic system is strong are considered more progressive,” Mr. Bhoi said while addressing the inaugural program of ‘Lok Sambad’, a national level youth parliament organised by the SOA National Institute of Law (SNIL), faculty of legal studies of the SOA Deemed to be University, here.
Around 150 students of law from across the country are taking part in the two-day event.
Outlining India’s journey as a democracy, Mr. Bhoi said students of law should take keen interest in the political process and keep track of how the parliamentarians and legislators were putting forth issues pertaining to the interest of the people at large and for the betterment of the country in parliament and legislatures.
He said the youth parliament event will provide the students the opportunity to understand how the democracy functions and learn how they can become ideal representatives of the people in future. He also explained the various legislative procedures including the question hour, starred and un-starred questions, adjournment notice, calling attention notice, the zero hour and official and non-official bills.
Urging the students to play a pivotal role in nation building, Mr. Bhoi said all effort should be made for upholding democratic values in the legal system.
The event’s agenda included deliberation on subjects like India’s position in the global power rivalry between the USA, Middle East, China and Russia, discussion on the regulation, governance and protection of temple land and religious institutions and the Vikshit Bharat Shiksha Adhisthan Bill, 2025 which proposed the creation of a unified and simplified regulatory framework for higher education.
SOA Vice-Chancellor Prof. Pradipta Kumar Nanda presided over the program which was also addressed by Saroj Kumar Pradhan, Government Chief Whip in the Odisha assembly and Prof. S.A.K. Azad, Dean of SNIL. Dr. Amruta Das, Associate Professor of SNIL, proposed the vote of thanks.
Pradhan said both the treasury bench and opposition had crucial roles to perform while it was upon the people to strengthen the democratic structure. He urged the participants to consider careers in politics saying they had a role to perform.
Prof. Nanda said the participants of the youth parliament should deliberate on issues which afflict the country and recommend how difficult issues could be resolved. The youth should also understand important subjects like the budget and policy making, he said.
