Officials and participants during the Viksit Bharat Youth Parliament 2026, organised by the NSS unit of Kohima College in collaboration with My Bharat, Kohima on March 2.
Kohima, March 2 (MExN): The district-level speech competition of Viksit Bharat Youth Parliament 2026 was organised by the NSS unit of Kohima College in collaboration with My Bharat, Kohima on March 2.
The competition was held on the theme “50 Years of Emergency: Lessons for Indian Democracy” and was sponsored by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India. Students from various colleges actively participated in the event.
The programme was chaired by Abeni Zuchamo, Associate Professor, Department of History and NSS Programme Officer, Kohima College.
Dr Riku Khutso, NCS, Extra Assistant Commissioner (EAC), Kohima, attended the programme as the special guest. Addressing the gathering, he described the Youth Parliament as a vital process for building leadership for a developed India and said the national vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 depends on creating a generation of capable young leaders.
However, Dr Khutso expressed concern over what he termed a prevailing “performative culture” in Naga society. He cautioned participants against viewing the competition merely as a performative exercise for social gratification. “Viksit Bharat is trying to educate and build young leadership, but this performative culture is a big concern,” he said.
Urging the youth to replace performative tendencies with critical thinking, he said young people must develop the ability to filter good from bad, cultivate a critical mind, understand their surroundings and responsibly interpret information. He emphasised that meaningful contribution towards 2047 would require substantive thinking rather than superficial participation, noting that performative behaviour often stems from fear and undermines confidence.
Thirteen students from four colleges — Alder College, Baptist College, Kohima College and St. Joseph’s College, Jakhama — presented their perspectives on the Emergency period and its implications for the contemporary political landscape.
At the conclusion of the event, five speakers were selected to represent the district at the state-level competition. The selected speakers were Kepozo Kapuh, Kibangheung I Mbung, Kethoneinuo Vimero, Müdovelü Keyho and Lenvishe.
