In a first-of-its-kind initiative, the Rajasthan Education Department transformed the state assembly in Jaipur into a dynamic platform for young voices. The department organised a day-long mock assembly session, dubbed the 'Rajasthan Youth Assembly,' on Monday, marking a pioneering event in the state's educational landscape.
From Thousands to 158: The Path to the Assembly
This unique session was part of the department's Prabal program, designed to foster leadership among students. The participants were a select group of 158 students chosen from a massive pool of 20,000 government schools spread across Rajasthan. For one day, they stepped into the shoes of the state's legislators, taking on high-profile roles including the Speaker, the Chief Minister, and the Leader of the Opposition, meticulously mirroring the proceedings of a real legislative assembly.
The mock session was formally inaugurated by State Assembly Speaker Vasudev Devnani. The students then plunged into a crucial debate on the topic: 'Our Future, Our Decision – The Need for Strong Mental Health and Proper Career Guidance for the Empowered Future of Adolescents.'
Student Leaders Raise Critical Issues
For the simulation, Atharva Joshi from Banswara was appointed as the Chief Minister and Mauli Bhatt from Dungarpur as the Education Minister. Himani Shrimali, a student from Udaipur who assumed the role of the Leader of the Opposition, did not hold back in her critique. She pointed out the gap between policy and practice, stating, "Despite all government's claims of promoting sports in schools, the ground reality is something else. There is no sports period in the school timetable; how will the children's physical development take place?"
The young parliamentarians presented well-argued points, emphasising that psychologists and career counsellors should be appointed in schools to holistically address student well-being. Another participant, Pratiksha Bhandari, highlighted awareness gaps, suggesting, "There are several schemes for the youth in the state, but there is not enough awareness. If a soap advertisement can appear in the newspaper four times a week, then why can't information related to career, or education be provided?"
Building Future Citizens: The Core Objective
Officials clarified that the primary aim of this mock assembly was far beyond a simple role-playing exercise. It was strategically designed to enhance students' personality development, leadership skills, logical thinking, and self-confidence. By providing practical exposure to democratic and legislative processes, the initiative seeks to foster essential life skills in the youth, preparing them to be informed and engaged citizens.
Addressing the gathering, Speaker Vasudev Devnani acknowledged the pressures faced by students in today's competitive world. He stressed, "In this era of competition, students are under a lot of pressure, and in such a situation, maintaining mental balance is extremely important." Offering guidance to the young minds, he added, "There are many fields in which one can build a career; we should do so in the field we are interested in."
Devnani concluded with three powerful pieces of advice for all students:
- Keep your thinking independent.
- Never let your voice be weak.
- Always discuss solutions, not problems.
The historic Rajasthan Youth Assembly session stands as a significant step towards experiential learning, empowering adolescents to understand governance while boldly speaking up on issues that shape their future.
