New Delhi, Sept. 8 -- Calling on young people to move beyond being spectators of politics, Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta on Tuesday urged Delhi University students to actively participate in democracy, public affairs and nation-building, saying their ideas and energy were crucial to building a "Viksit Bharat".
Gupta was interacting with students from Rajdhani College, Shyama Prasad Mukherjee College, Law Centre-I and Shivaji College during the Delhi Assembly's Youth Outreach Programme. The students visited the historic Assembly complex and discussed parliamentary functioning, democratic participation and the Speaker's role.
"Do not watch politics from a distance; step forward, participate and contribute to building a Viksit Bharat," Gupta told the students. Responding to a question about his transition from Leader of Opposition to Speaker, Gupta said his earlier experience had shaped his approach to conducting House proceedings.
He said every legislator, irrespective of political affiliation, should receive a fair opportunity to express their views within parliamentary rules and procedures.
"From Leader of Opposition to Speaker, my experiences shaped my commitment to give every member a fair chance to speak," Gupta said.
The Speaker also highlighted the use of timers on display screens inside the Assembly chamber to improve discipline and transparency during debates. The system allows members to monitor their allotted speaking time and helps proceedings remain organised and time-bound.
During the visit, students were taken on a guided tour of the Assembly complex and briefed about its historical association with the Central Legislative Assembly and prominent parliamentary figures and events.
They were also introduced to the Assembly's commemorative coffee-table book, Ek Shatabdi Yatra, which documents its century-long institutional journey. The programme concluded with a visit to the main Assembly chamber, giving students an opportunity to see first-hand the setting where legislative debates and proceedings are conducted.
Gupta urged the students to remain connected with democratic institutions and develop an informed understanding of governance and public affairs, stressing that youth participation was essential for strengthening democratic institutions and contributing to nation-building.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.