The Hindu : Karnataka News : Honing leadership skills of students

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Karnataka

Karnataka

Honing leadership skills of students

Staff Correspondent

A mock parliament was organised at the Kolar Zilla Panchayat

FUTURE PARLIAMENTARIANS: Students taking part in the Yuva Sansath programme at the Kolar Zilla Panchayat.

KOLAR: Members of the opposition were vociferous in criticising the Chief Minister for the government’s failure in tackling the “power crisis” in the State. They also took the Government to task for “not lending” a helping hand to farmers by supplying “adequate fertilizers”. The members took the Government to task for its failure to rescue the peasants from the clutches of moneylenders. Suicide by farmers was another major issue that was prominently raised in the “session”.

One may be surprised to read these lines as the State legislature is not in session now. But these and other issues rocked the “house” followed by a heated debate at a Yuva Sansath programme held here a couple of days ago. The Department of Education organised a mock parliament at the zilla panchayat hall to help students know about parliamentary proceedings.

Select students from the five taluks of Kolar district took part in the competition. High school students donned the role of the speaker, the chief minister, the opposition leader and members of ruling and opposition parties effectively. The session commenced with glowing tributes to the former Prime Minister late V.P. Singh. The members eulogised Mr. Singh as a champion of the backward classes of the country.

Then came the issue of power crisis. What was the basis for the promise that farmers would be provided free electricity for their irrigation pumpsets while there was acute shortage of power? asked the members. “It was cheating,” they claimed. However, the chief minister, in his reply, reiterated his government’s commitment to protecting the interests of farmers.

Joining hands with the opposition benches, some ruling party members urged the government to extend the free bicycle scheme to the above poverty line family students also.

The problem of water shortage in the region, the effects of the closure of Kolar Gold Mines and other local issues came up for discussion.

While the programme-cum-competition provided an opportunity to the future generation to know about the issues plaguing society, it served as an effective forum to hone the oratory and debating talents of the students. “Such events also help mould the leadership qualities in students,” Deputy Director of Public Instructions C. Nagarajan said.

Selected

While Kavya donned the role of the speaker, Sahana performed the duties of the chief minister. It was Chandan B.V. who was the leader of the opposition.

Eshwari Gowda of the Government Pre University College, Malur, and Neha of the Government High School for Girls, Bangarpet, who bagged the first and the second prizes respectively, were selected to the State-level competition.

Archanapriya (third place), Chandan (fourth) and J.T. Pushpa (fifth) are the other winners.

Sridhar, superintendent of Department of Parliamentary Affairs, DDPI C. Nagarajan, Block Education Officer Nagaraj Gowda and subject inspector C.R. Ashok provided guidance to the students.

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