With the objective of nurturing democratic values, civic responsibility, and leadership among students, the third edition of Young Indians Parliament (Yi Parliament 3.0) was held recently at the Kumaraguru campus in Coimbatore.
The two-day parliamentary simulation brought together 109 student delegates representing 14 schools from across the region.
The event was inaugurated by Pavankumar G. Giriyappanavar, District Collector of Coimbatore.
The programme was jointly organised by the Kumaraguru Centre for Public and Competitive Careers (KCPC), the Department of Political Science, Kumaraguru College of Liberal Arts and Science (KCLAS), and the Young Indians (Yi) Coimbatore Chapter.
Designed to provide students with a first-hand understanding of the functioning of the Indian Parliament, the programme included legislative debates, policy discussions, question hour sessions, and parliamentary procedures.
The top 15 delegates from the Coimbatore Chapter qualified for the Regional Round, with an opportunity to compete at the National Finals in New Delhi.
In his inaugural address, Pavankumar G. Giriyappanavar, described the legislature as the foremost pillar of the Indian Constitution and encouraged students to cultivate active listening, empathy, patience, and mutual respect to become responsible future leaders.
He said that Parliament represents the voice of the people and urged students to understand the responsibility that comes with being an elected representative. He stressed that listening carefully, understanding diverse viewpoints, and responding constructively are essential qualities of an effective parliamentarian.
The Collector also highlighted India’s cultural and regional diversity, stating that Parliament reflects the aspirations of people from different backgrounds and regions. He encouraged students to appreciate diverse perspectives and develop the empathy required for public service.
Appreciating the organisers, he noted that experiential learning platforms such as Yi Parliament play a significant role in strengthening democratic values among young citizens.
Delivering the welcome address, Rahul Kamath, Chair, Young Indians Coimbatore Chapter, said today’s youth possess unprecedented influence through social media and digital platforms and must exercise that influence responsibly.
He observed that while technology has amplified the voice of young people, it also demands greater responsibility in ensuring truth, informed opinions, and constructive dialogue. “The true measure of leadership is not how loudly you speak, but how wisely you think before you speak,” he remarked.
Encouraging students to value understanding over argument, Kamath urged them to choose wisdom over noise, truth over convenience, and service over self-interest. Quoting Swami Vivekananda’s inspiring words, “Arise, Awake and Stop Not Till the Goal is Reached,” he called upon the delegates to contribute towards building a stronger and more developed India.
The two-day parliamentary simulation offered students a unique platform to experience democratic governance, sharpen their leadership skills, and develop a deeper understanding of India’s parliamentary system through practical learning and meaningful debate.
