The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Take their efforts earnestly; it is not a mock parliament

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Monday, Sep 29, 2008
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Take their efforts earnestly; it is not a mock parliament

Staff Reporter

Members of State Parliament of Children sworn in

— Photo: R.Ragu

In session: S. Vimala, Principal Judge, Labour Court, Chennai, administering the oath to the Ministers of the State Parliament of Children of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry in Chennai on Sunday.

CHENNAI: They are the young pillars of democracy. Aged between 12 and 18, they have been elected ministers already. These children from districts all over Tamil Nadu and Puducherry are part of a State-level Parliament, an initiative of Neighbourhood Community Network (NCN), a non-governmental organisation based out of Nagercoil.

“It began as a neighbourhood parliament of children,” recalls Edwin M. John, Secretary, NCN. “Children from thirty families formed a group.” A Chief Minister and Ministers of various departments relevant to the issues faced by the neighbourhood were elected and debating sessions were held.

“This was no mock parliament,” stresses Mr. John. “The children undertook the responsibility of resolving issues in their neighbourhood.” And, they did manage to bring in changes.

“These children went to all Gram Sabha meetings and made Panchayat leaders aware of issues,” says Mr. John. “They successfully closed down liquor shops in two villages in Kanyakumari. Creating new access roads, adding more streetlights and bus routes were other initiatives they succeeded in. They did take the help of adults, but the children were the ones responsible for the change.”

The swearing-in ceremony of the ministers of the State Parliament of Children of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry and the first official session of the Parliament were conducted here on Sunday. S. Vimala, Principal Judge, Labour Court, Chennai, administered the oath.

The session started with issues in education.

“Activity based learning is good. But, children feel that they do not develop adequate writing skills,” said the Law Minister Sathyaraj, from Vellore.

He proposed that tests should be conducted once a month to improve writing skills. There were two Ministers for each of the 15 portfolios, including Education, Law and Arts and Culture. The discussions proceeded in an orderly manner, moderated by Arokiaraj Manikkam, who hails from Tiruchi.

Strict dress code

Discussing issues on culture, Arts and Culture Minister Naga Jothi, from Coimbatore said that children should not adopt western culture. Women should not wear jeans and T-shirts, but saris and salwar-kameezes, she said. Deputy Prime Minister Sumathy, from Salem, who was sporting jeans, was asked to refrain from wearing such clothes to the next session. A resolution was passed that such attire will not be permitted in Parliament.

The minutes were read out towards the end of the proceedings. The children resolved to take the points of discussion and implement it in their localities.

“It is a learning process,” observes Mr. John. “As they continue to participate in such events, they will understand more.”

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