Kendriya Vidyalaya 1, near Labony Estate, held its 32nd national youth parliament for students of various KV schools at the regional level recently.

Five schools had sent groups of 50 to 55 students between classes VI and XII, and they assumed roles of different members of a parliamentary session. From announcing the arrival of the speaker and new members taking their oaths to discussing issues effecting society and questioning one other’s work, everything was replicated by the students.

“I had participated last year too and enjoyed the experience. It inspired me and I watched many live Parliament sessions on TV so I could give my best. At present I am inspired by MP Mahua Moitra and want to be a politician like her,” said Prakriti Deb of Class XII.

While the students did not assume roles of specific MPs, every other detail was as close to real as possible. The left hand side seats were taken by treasury members, the right hand side was reserved for the opposition. The centre had the secretariat seats while the speaker sat on the stage with foreign delegates and press on their left and right respectively.

“In books we read about the workings of the parliament but it is when we had to act it out that we got to know of many more details about our democracy,” said Nilanjan Saha, a Class IX student of KV 2 in Sector III.

Indrani Sengupta, a teacher and mentor for the KV 2 team, said teachers from participating schools were sent to Guwahati for a workshop before the event. “We received a two-day training where we were shown how the set-up should be and how the students are to perform. It is a good opportunity for them to get the feel of the parliament and discuss current affairs,” she said.

Drona Roy, a Class VII student of the Hasimara branch, said she practised for a month by watching real parliament seasons.

“I wanted to get the body language right. Plus I learnt points like after taking oath we are to walk around the Speaker before returning to our seats. We discussed matters like air pollution and how installing the bullet train would lead to deforestation. Our session mirrored those in the actual parliament. The only difference was that we shouted less at one other,” she laughed.

Principal of KV 1, Sudhanya Karan said the school was happy to be hosting the event. “It was a pleasure to lend our campus for this event. Students learnt about the workings of the parliament and the experience helped them,” he said.

At the end of the event, KV2 was adjudged winner of the regional level competition.