Young students debate, deliberate at YiP regional round in Mysuru

Young students from Karnataka and Kerala got a first-hand experience of Parliamentary democracy as the Southern Regional Round of Young Indians Parliament (YiP) 2026 in Mysuru on Wednesday after two days of debates, deliberations and simulated parliamentary proceedings.

Organised by Young Indians (Yi), Mysuru, under the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), the event was held at the Excel Public School auditorium in Koorgalli, with around 150 students representing seven Yi chapters participating. The programme exposed students to various aspects of parliamentary functioning, including Question Hour, Zero Hour, Private Members’ Bills, Treasury and Opposition Bench proceedings, committee discussions, parliamentary debates, political strategy and parliamentary journalism. Participants researched issues, presented arguments, raised questions and defended their positions while engaging in constructive democratic debate.

Nanjangud MLA Darshan Dhruvanarayan, who attended the programme on the first day, interacted with the young parliamentarians and encouraged them to contribute actively to the country’s development. He urged students to use their formative years to develop leadership skills, awareness and a sense of public responsibility.

Mr. Dhruvanarayan also voiced support for restoring college elections, stating that such platforms would provide students an opportunity to understand leadership, representation and democratic participation at an early stage. He stressed the importance of responsive governance and highlighted the online grievance mechanism through which citizens can bring local issues to the administration.

The two-day event concluded with a valedictory ceremony, where awards were presented to outstanding performers and participation certificates were distributed to delegates. Savitha Mallappa R., Mathew K.G., Yi national leadership representatives Pradeep Chentil Kumar and Sangeetha, along with Yi executive committee members, chapter representatives, faculty members and other guests, were present.

Yashmith S.G. was named Best Parliamentarian, while Vaishnavi Dinesh won Best Speaker. Shreya Basanagowda Patil received the Parliamentary Leadership Award. Awards in other categories went to Aditi Sreenivas, Saanvi Sunil, Sangam R., Soman Bipaiah, Adinath Viju, Chaitra and Deeam, Sreekesh and Muzaina, Sreemayi S., Manvitha Shivashankar, Aninditha Anand, Naveed Nivas and Chetana Isabel, a press release said.

Yi Mysuru Chairperson Priyanka Sridhar said YiP was aimed at taking students beyond the textbook understanding of democracy by giving them practical exposure to parliamentary procedures, leadership, debate and responsible disagreement.