Shillong, March 3: Assembly Speaker Thomas A Sangma on Monday said the future of democracy depends on informed, responsible and value‑driven citizens and to turn energy into responsible leadership.
Sangma inaugurated the two‑day Youth Parliament 2026 organized by the Tura Christian College’s political science department at the district auditorium in West Garo Hills on the theme “The Voice of Youth: Shaping the Future of Governance”.
Addressing the youth, Sangma said he was “immensely satisfied” to see Tura’s first Youth Parliament and praised the college faculty, former students and organisers for nurturing democratic values.
“The Assembly is a place where ideas are discussed, questions are raised, and solutions are debated for the welfare of our people. A Youth Parliament gives students the opportunity to experience this democratic process firsthand,” he said.
Sangma urged participants to turn energy into responsible leadership, reminding them that leadership “is not about speaking the loudest but about thinking deeply and serving selflessly.”
Quoting 1 Timothy 4:12, he told students to lead by example “in word, conduct, love, faith, and purity.”
Dr Andrew Simons, former Commissioner & Secretary and Adviser (Legislation), Meghalaya Legislative Assembly, lauded the students’ discipline, research and maturity in debate, calling the event a training ground for citizenship and parliamentary decorum.
