The Viksit Bharat Youth Parliament 2025 (District Level) commenced on March 21st 2025 at Eastern Christian College, Padumpukhuri, Dimapur, Nagaland, and will continue until March 22. Organized by the Department of Youth Affairs, Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Government of India, the event revolves around the theme “One Nation, One Election: Paving the Way for Viksit Bharat.”
D. Athikho, Assistant Professor of Political Science, moderated the plenary session, expressing gratitude to the government for selecting the college as the host. He also emphasized that the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision, aims to make India a fully developed nation by its 100th year of independence.
Dr. Dominic K. Khanyo, Principal, Eastern Christian College (ECC). He described the event as a symbol of ECC’s growth, mentioning the college’s expansion and new academic programs. Speaking on Viksit Bharat and One Nation, One Election, he emphasized democracy as a way of life and urged students to engage actively in governance.
He expressed hope that by 2047, a young leader from Nagaland would hold a key national position. Acknowledging Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, he encouraged students to strive for excellence, reinforcing that dedication can lead to great opportunities.
Dr. Khanyo further noted that the 18–25 age group plays a crucial role in shaping the country’s future, as voting and participation at a young age lay the foundation for a responsible citizenry. He urged students to take their formative years seriously, reminding them that their involvement today will shape the nation tomorrow.
Delivering an exhortation, Mmhonlumo Kikon, National Spokesperson of BJP, urged participants to take the youth parliament seriously. He emphasized the importance of leadership, discipline, and informed debate in a democratic society. He highlighted that leadership is not just about having a vision but also about its effective implementation.
He commended the event’s focus on national development and the vision of a developed India by 2047, aligning with the government’s long-term goals. He stressed that discussions on policies like ‘One Nation, One Election’ should be viewed as proposals for debate rather than impositions, reaffirming India’s democratic process of consultation and deliberation.
Drawing from his own experiences, Kikon underscored the significance of discipline, including punctuality, as a foundational trait of leadership. He urged students to take the Youth Parliament seriously, as such platforms provide opportunities to step out of their comfort zones and engage in discussions that shape the country’s future.
Kikon also highlighted key infrastructure developments, particularly in transport and digital sectors, citing the Indian Semiconductor Mission as a transformative initiative for self-reliance in technology. He pointed out that dedicated policies and investments in road networks and connectivity are playing a crucial role in national development, ensuring that even the most remote regions benefit from economic progress.
Encouraging students to approach debates with well-researched arguments, he emphasized the need for educated and informed leaders in society. He urged participants to engage in discussions with clarity, knowledge, and professionalism, as these qualities would be essential for future leadership roles.
The plenary session, moderated by D. Athikho, Assistant Professor and the technical session, was moderated by Dr. L. Hongam Konyak, Assistant Professor. The jury panel included, John Makhabo, State Director, NYKS, Nagaland, Thungchanbemo Tungoe, NCS, Chief Executive Officer, Dimapur Municipal Council, Fr. Dr. (Prof.) Sunny Joseph, Professor, St. Joseph University, Ms. Nuneseno Chase, Director, YouthNet and Amento Peseyie, Member, Governing Body
This district-level Youth Parliament event, organized under the Ministry of Youth Affairs, encourages young minds to share their views on India’s vision for becoming a fully developed nation by 2047. The event featured participants from five districts—Dimapur, Chümoukedima, Peren, Niuland, and Wokha—selected through a screening process.
Out of 202 participants, 127 were chosen for the district-level round. The event was divided into two days, with around 90 students from Dimapur participating on the first day. The topic for discussion was “One Nation, One Election – Paving the Way for Viksit Bharat.” Ten participants from this round will move on to the state level, where three will be selected for the national round. The program will conclude on March 22 with final debates and a closing ceremony.
(I.Tiakumla.Ao, IA,Dimapur)
