Itanagar: The second edition of the Arunachal Youth Parliament (AYP) commenced on Wednesday at the D K Hall of Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly, with over 300 student delegates from various institutions across the state participating.
The two-day event, themed “Youths Ignited, State United,” aims to foster leadership and intellectual discourse among the youth through debates and discussions.
Inaugurating the event, Mebo MLA Oken Tayeng underlined the crucial role of young minds in shaping Arunachal’s future. “All government policies are for the youth. The future belongs to you, and the responsibility of our state’s development rests on your shoulders,” he said.
He urged aspiring politicians to engage in politics with sincerity and a vision to drive positive change.
Highlighting Arunachal’s tourism potential, Tayeng encouraged participants to take pride in the state’s rich biodiversity, cultural diversity, and natural resources.
Secretary of Youth Affairs and AYP patron, Abu Tayeng, called the event a milestone in empowering young minds. “AYP provides a platform to voice ideas, debate pressing issues, and contribute meaningfully to society. Unlike cultural events, this initiative tests intellect and translates ideas into action,” he noted. He also announced that preparations for the third edition of AYP are already in place.
A memorandum was submitted by the AYP committee to the Secretary and the Advisor to the Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs, urging that the event be recognized as an annual calendar program.
Day 1 featured an ice-breaker debate on “Dams in Arunachal Pradesh: Catalyst for Development or Threat to Sustainability?” with students from Don Bosco College and Dera Natung Government College engaging in an intense discussion.
This was followed by a panel discussion on the Arunachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act, featuring experts from academia and media.
The Student Parliament session saw participants presenting on key issues such as sustainable tourism, harnessing natural resources, and strengthening grassroots democracy.
On Day 2, students from 11 colleges will deliberate on topics including drug abuse, climate change, social media’s impact, corruption, and youth participation in governance.
Organized by the Hills Society under the aegis of the Department of Youth Affairs, AYP 2.0 continues to serve as a dynamic platform for youth engagement and leadership development.
The event will conclude on April 4 with a valedictory session and an awards ceremony. It will also feature the publication of an ISBN-numbered book compiling research papers and insights from the discussions.
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