SRINAGAR, July 7: The University of Kashmir has secured the first position at the national level in the 17th National Youth Parliament Competition (2024-25) for Universities and Colleges, emerging as the overall winner among 51 participating institutions from across the country.
The University was felicitated during a prize distribution function organised by the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs at the GMC Balayogi Auditorium in the Parliament House Complex, New Delhi.
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Law and Justice and Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs, Arjun Ram Meghwal, presented the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Running Parliamentary Shield and Trophy to the winning team from the University of Kashmir.
During the ceremony, the University of Kashmir team presented a repeat performance of its award-winning Youth Parliament sitting before the gathering.
Seven institutions—DAV College, Jalandhar; Jadavpur University, Kolkata; Shivaji University, Kolhapur; Central University of Punjab, Bathinda; SSMRV College, Bengaluru; Chanakya National Law University, Patna; and Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra—were also honoured as group-level winners for their performances in the competition.
Speaking on the occasion, Secretary, Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, Nikunja Bihari Dhal said 51 universities and colleges from across the country participated in the competition and expressed the Ministry’s commitment to expanding the programme to enable greater student participation in the future.
Representing the University of Kashmir, Prof. Pervez Ahmed, Dean, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, expressed satisfaction over the University’s achievement and thanked the Ministry for providing students with a prestigious national platform. He said the Youth Parliament Programme strengthens democratic and constitutional values while helping students develop confidence, leadership qualities and effective communication skills.
Congratulating the participants, Arjun Ram Meghwal praised the students for their demonstration of parliamentary procedures and said they represent the country’s future leadership. Recalling the message of former President Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, he encouraged students to dream big, set clear goals and work with dedication towards nation-building.
The Minister also administered the LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) Pledge to all participants and attendees during the function.
The Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs has been organising the Youth Parliament Competition for universities and colleges for the past 29 years. The programme aims to inculcate democratic values, self-discipline, tolerance of diverse opinions and effective debating skills among students while familiarising them with the functioning and procedures of Parliament.
