Rana advocates bold youth engagement in democratic processes
JAMMU, MARCH 25: The JK-Round of the Viksit Bharat Youth Parliament (VBYP) 2026, a flagship initiative of the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, was held at the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly Wednesday with participation of young leaders to shape the nation’s future.
Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology & Environment and Tribal Affairs, Javed Ahmed Rana, as per an official statement, attended the programme as the chief guest and underscored the importance of youth engagement in democratic processes.
He said Youth Parliament programme will inculcate and nurture leadership, enhance civic awareness and promote informed policy engagement among the youth. It provides a structured platform for individuals aged 18–25 years to deliberate on pressing national issues, articulate their perspectives and contribute meaningfully to the nation’s development journey, he added.
The VBYP 2026 is being conducted in a three-tier format, District, State/UT and National level, allowing the participants to progress through competitive stages.
The JK-Round featured top performers from across districts, who demonstrated their critical thinking, oratory skills and leadership abilities through insightful deliberations.
The theme for this round, “Union Budget 2026: Strengthening the Indian Youth’s Path Towards Viksit Bharat 2047,” guided brainstorming discussions and presentations.
At the Youth Parliament, the participants engaged in a thought provoking discussion on the Union Budget 2026, weighing its potential to fuel youth empowerment, innovation and inclusive growth. The exchange of ideas highlighted the budget’s impact on shaping a sustainable future for the nation.
It was informed that the top three winners from this round will advance to represent J&K at the National Level Viksit Bharat Youth Parliament Programme.
Among those present were MLA Dr. Devinder Kumar Manyal, Director Nisar Bhat and jury members Sunaina Mehta, Prof. Mushtaq Wani and Simarjeet Singh besides other senior officers and dignitaries.
