Tura, March 3, 2026: The two-day Youth Parliament 2026, held at the District Auditorium, Tura, concluded on Tuesday after engaging debates, deliberations and critical reflections by participating students.
Speaking as the Chief Guest on the concluding day, Rajya Sabha MP Dr. Wanweiroy Kharlukhi said that a society which neglects or hates its younger generation has no future. He emphasized that the future belongs to the youth and expressed confidence that one among the participants of the Youth Parliament would one day be at the helm of affairs in the State.
Invoking the Holy Bible, Dr. Kharlukhi reminded the youth that God has His own plans for every individual and encouraged them to remain patient and steadfast in their pursuits. Reflecting on his own journey, he recalled that in 2008 he was offered a Rajya Sabha seat by Late Shri Purno A. Sangma but declined it at the time. Years later, he became a Member of Parliament in the Upper House, underscoring that destiny unfolds in its own time.
He cited the example of Late Dr. Donkupar Roy, former Chief Minister of Meghalaya, who was still a student when Meghalaya attained statehood in 1972 and later rose to hold the highest office in the State in 2008. He also referred to the formation of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in 1999 under the leadership of Late Shri Purno A. Sangma, noting that the present Chief Minister, Shri Conrad K. Sangma, had just completed college at that time, illustrating how today’s youth are tomorrow’s leaders.
Secretary of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly, Shri Malthus S. Sangma, stated that the Youth Parliament is not merely about presenting opinions perfectly but serves as a platform to share ideas and understand the functioning of democracy.
He said participants must observe how elected representatives debate and conduct themselves out of love for the community. Encouraging the students, he acknowledged that stage fright is natural and commended them for taking the courageous first step.
On the concluding day, a Quiz Competition and Extempore Speech Competition were organized, adding further vibrancy and engagement to the programme.
The Youth Parliament 2026 was organized by the Department of Political Science, Tura Christian College, and sponsored by the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly. The initiative aims to promote democratic values and enhance youth participation in governance.
The two-day event commenced on Monday with Shri Thomas A. Sangma, Speaker of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly and MLA, North Tura, attending as the Chief Guest.
