The National Youth Parliament Festival (NYPF) recently conducted its 3rd edition in the Central Hall of Parliament in New Delhi. This innovative programme seeks to equip the youth with essential knowledge and understanding about parliamentary procedures and democratic processes. This unique initiative was conceived by the Prime Minister during his Mann Ki Baat Address in 2017, and ever since, it has become an integral platform for empowering the youth.
Understanding The National Youth Parliament Festival
Founded on the ideas professed by the Prime Minister in 2017, the NYPF aims to provide a platform for the voices of young people aged between 18-25 years who are allowed to vote but cannot contest in elections. This initiative is designed to encourage more active participation from the youth in public issues. It encourages them to understand perspectives of the common man, formulate their opinions and express these views articulately.
A Brief Timeline of The Previous NYPF Editions
The inaugural edition of NYPF was held in 2019 with the theme “Be the Voice of New India and Find Solutions and Contribute to Policy”. Building on its success, the 2nd edition was organized the following year, in 2020, under the banner of “YUVAAH – Utsah Naye Bharat Ka”. These events have significantly contributed to engaging the nation’s youth in proactive discussions and debates about public issues and policies.
Key Features of the NYPF
The NYPF is open to all recognised educational institutions of the country, thereby reaching out to a broad spectrum of youth. The programme is broken down into two segments for adequate representation: Kishore Sabha for students of Class IX to XII and Tarun Sabha for undergraduates and postgraduate students.
Registration for participation is made possible through a web portal for every educational institution wishing to take part. To ensure effective implementation, institutions can invite a Member of Parliament (MP/ex-MP), Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA/Ex-MLA), Member of the Legislative Council (MLC/Ex-MLC) or a person of eminence as the Chief Guest. This guest is entrusted with overseeing the performance of the Youth Parliament sitting within their institution.
The Hand Behind the Initiative – The Organizers
The NYPF is organized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. The Ministry has been a strong promotor of youth engagement in the democratic process, and this festival is one of the key initiatives to achieve that goal.