News & Announcement
Sikkim Youth Assembly 2026 Provides Platform for Young Voices and Democratic Participation
Gangtok, September 20th (IPR) The Sikkim Youth Assembly 2026 was held at Chintan Bhawan, Gangtok, as part of the Sikkim Biswakarma Pratibha Samman 2026, organised by the Sikkim Biswakarma Kami Kalyan Samity. The initiative brought together young members of the Scheduled Caste (SC) community to engage in parliamentary-style discussions, develop leadership skills and deliberate on issues concerning their community, youth and the future of Sikkim.
The programme was attended by Minister, Social Welfare, Women & Child Development and Printing & Stationery Departments, Mr Samdup Lepcha, as the Chief Guest, along with MLA, Mr Madan Cintury, and MLA, Mr Sonam Venchungpa. Also present were Chairperson, Art, Culture and Heritage Board, Mr Sanjay Dilipali Rai, Secretary, Sikkim INSPIRES, Ms Rohini Rai, and Advocate, Mr Lekden Basi.
The Youth Assembly brought together selected SC students and youth between 16 and 28 years of age. The participants were auditioned and shortlisted from around 89 applicants who met the prescribed eligibility criteria.
Modelled on the functioning of the Legislative Assembly, the Youth Assembly allowed participants to assume different parliamentary roles and take part in discussions and debates on matters of public interest. The simulation provided practical exposure to legislative procedures, democratic practices, public representation and the responsibilities associated with parliamentary roles. It also enabled participants to articulate their views, listen to different perspectives and engage in constructive debate.
A significant focus of the Youth Assembly was mental health, bringing an important dimension to discussions on youth development and wellbeing. With young people navigating academic pressures, career uncertainties, social expectations and rapidly changing lifestyles, the forum provided space for open and respectful conversations on mental wellbeing. Bringing the subject into a youth-led parliamentary forum encouraged participants to recognise wellbeing as an essential part of a healthy and productive society, while fostering empathy, awareness and a willingness to listen.
The discussion also highlighted the importance of addressing the silence and stigma surrounding mental health and creating supportive environments where young people feel comfortable seeking help and speaking about their experiences.
The initiative provided young members of the SC community with a dedicated platform to express their views and aspirations on issues related to education, employment, skills, communities and their future. Through speaking, deliberation, research and participation in public roles, the programme also sought to build confidence, communication and leadership abilities while identifying emerging talent in public speaking, debate, leadership, research and community engagement.
The Youth Assembly offered an experiential understanding of democratic institutions, which young people often encounter primarily through classrooms, textbooks and the media. It demonstrated the importance of listening to different viewpoints, raising issues of public concern and engaging in reasoned discussion, thereby contributing to civic awareness and interest in public affairs.
The participation of young members of the SC community also added a dimension of social inclusion, providing space for their concerns, aspirations and perspectives in wider discussions on youth and development.
Sikkim's young population will play an important role in shaping the State's future. Initiatives that help young people understand public institutions and engage with community issues can contribute to developing informed and socially responsible citizens. The Youth Assembly connects youth development with democratic learning by encouraging participants to understand their rights and opportunities while reflecting on their responsibilities towards their communities and society. Interaction with elected representatives and public figures also provided participants with a closer understanding of public life and governance.
The Youth Assembly has the potential to develop into a continuing platform for youth engagement through regular editions, follow-up discussions, leadership workshops, policy dialogues and interactions with public representatives. Such platforms could also encourage young people to develop solutions and ideas on issues affecting their communities and the State.
The Sikkim Youth Assembly 2026 provided young citizens with an opportunity to learn, question, communicate and envision their role in the future of Sikkim, while bringing together democratic learning, leadership development, social inclusion and the aspirations of a new generation of Sikkimese youth.
The programme was attended by Minister, Social Welfare, Women & Child Development and Printing & Stationery Departments, Mr Samdup Lepcha, as the Chief Guest, along with MLA, Mr Madan Cintury, and MLA, Mr Sonam Venchungpa. Also present were Chairperson, Art, Culture and Heritage Board, Mr Sanjay Dilipali Rai, Secretary, Sikkim INSPIRES, Ms Rohini Rai, and Advocate, Mr Lekden Basi.
The Youth Assembly brought together selected SC students and youth between 16 and 28 years of age. The participants were auditioned and shortlisted from around 89 applicants who met the prescribed eligibility criteria.
Modelled on the functioning of the Legislative Assembly, the Youth Assembly allowed participants to assume different parliamentary roles and take part in discussions and debates on matters of public interest. The simulation provided practical exposure to legislative procedures, democratic practices, public representation and the responsibilities associated with parliamentary roles. It also enabled participants to articulate their views, listen to different perspectives and engage in constructive debate.
A significant focus of the Youth Assembly was mental health, bringing an important dimension to discussions on youth development and wellbeing. With young people navigating academic pressures, career uncertainties, social expectations and rapidly changing lifestyles, the forum provided space for open and respectful conversations on mental wellbeing. Bringing the subject into a youth-led parliamentary forum encouraged participants to recognise wellbeing as an essential part of a healthy and productive society, while fostering empathy, awareness and a willingness to listen.
The discussion also highlighted the importance of addressing the silence and stigma surrounding mental health and creating supportive environments where young people feel comfortable seeking help and speaking about their experiences.
The initiative provided young members of the SC community with a dedicated platform to express their views and aspirations on issues related to education, employment, skills, communities and their future. Through speaking, deliberation, research and participation in public roles, the programme also sought to build confidence, communication and leadership abilities while identifying emerging talent in public speaking, debate, leadership, research and community engagement.
The Youth Assembly offered an experiential understanding of democratic institutions, which young people often encounter primarily through classrooms, textbooks and the media. It demonstrated the importance of listening to different viewpoints, raising issues of public concern and engaging in reasoned discussion, thereby contributing to civic awareness and interest in public affairs.
The participation of young members of the SC community also added a dimension of social inclusion, providing space for their concerns, aspirations and perspectives in wider discussions on youth and development.
Sikkim's young population will play an important role in shaping the State's future. Initiatives that help young people understand public institutions and engage with community issues can contribute to developing informed and socially responsible citizens. The Youth Assembly connects youth development with democratic learning by encouraging participants to understand their rights and opportunities while reflecting on their responsibilities towards their communities and society. Interaction with elected representatives and public figures also provided participants with a closer understanding of public life and governance.
The Youth Assembly has the potential to develop into a continuing platform for youth engagement through regular editions, follow-up discussions, leadership workshops, policy dialogues and interactions with public representatives. Such platforms could also encourage young people to develop solutions and ideas on issues affecting their communities and the State.
The Sikkim Youth Assembly 2026 provided young citizens with an opportunity to learn, question, communicate and envision their role in the future of Sikkim, while bringing together democratic learning, leadership development, social inclusion and the aspirations of a new generation of Sikkimese youth.
