Onlykashmir.in News Desk
The University of Kashmir, Srinagar, has been crowned national champion of the 17th National Youth Parliament Competition, 2024-25 for Universities and Colleges, receiving the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Running Parliamentary Shield and Trophy at a prize distribution function held at the GMC Balayogi Auditorium in Parliament House Complex, New Delhi. The event, organised by the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, marked the culmination of a competition that drew participation from 51 universities and colleges across the country.
Union Minister of State Arjun Ram Meghwal, who presided over the ceremony, presented the top honour to the Kashmir University team, whose students delivered a repeat performance of their winning Youth Parliament sitting before the gathered dignitaries. Seven other institutions, including 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, were recognised with Group Level Winner trophies for their performance in the competition.
Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs Secretary Nikunja Bihari Dhal welcomed the gathering and noted that the Youth Parliament Programme has now been running for 29 years, expressing hope that participation would expand further in the coming years so more students nationwide can benefit from the initiative. Speaking on behalf of the winning institution, Professor Pervez Ahmed, Dean of the School of Earth and Environmental Sciences at Kashmir University, said it was a moment of pride to represent the university on a national stage, thanking the Ministry for providing students a platform to build confidence and leadership skills.
Meghwal congratulated the participating students, describing them as both the country’s future and its future leaders, and invoked the legacy of former President Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam in urging them to dream big and pursue clearly defined goals with disciplined effort. He expressed confidence that the students would go on to make meaningful contributions to nation-building. The Minister also administered the LiFE, or Lifestyle for Environment, pledge to all participants and attendees present at the function.
The Youth Parliament Programme, running for its 17th edition this year, is designed to inculcate self-discipline, tolerance for diverse opinion, and the practices and procedures of parliamentary functioning among university students, while also building oratory skills and leadership qualities. Kashmir University’s first place finish marks a significant achievement for the institution on the national stage, coming at a time when the university has increasingly sought greater visibility in national academic and cultural competitions. Additional Secretary Dr. Satya Prakash delivered the vote of thanks, acknowledging the contribution of all participants and organisers to the event’s success.
