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Newdelhi:11/1/21; 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 the National Youth Festival which is celebrated every year from 12th to 16th 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 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.
In her welcome address, SmtUsha Sharma said that the National Youth Parliament has been organised in spite of challenging circumstances which the country faced last year. The Secretary said that the organization of the 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. Roopa Ganguly, MP (Rajya Sabha), Shri Parvesh Sahib Singh, MP (Lok Sabha) and senior journalist and writer Shri PrafullaKetkar.
