Meghalaya Speaker engages student interns on Democracy, Governance

SHILLONG, JUL 1: Meghalaya Assembly Speaker Thomas A Sangma on Wednesday interacted with student interns from colleges in Shillong as part of the 120-hour internship programme under the National Education Policy (NEP).

The session was organised by the Law Department of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly.

A total of 40 fifth-semester students took part. They were from St. Anthony’s College (Economics), St. Edmund’s College (Political Science), Shillong Commerce College (Political Science), Synod College (Commerce and Political Science), and K.L. Bajoria College (Political Science). The students are currently interning with the Law Department of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly.

The interaction gave interns a chance to engage directly with the Speaker on the functioning of the Legislature, parliamentary procedures, governance, policymaking, and the legislative process. Students also asked about the constitutional role of the Speaker, parliamentary practices, and contemporary issues in public life.

Speaking after the session, Speaker Thomas A Sangma said the programme offers students valuable exposure to the Assembly’s functioning.

“The internship programme offers students valuable exposure to the functioning of the Legislative Assembly and enables them to understand how governance, policymaking, debates, and the passage of Bills take place in the House,” he said.

He said nearly 90 students from different colleges have joined the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly as interns under the NEP, with interaction sessions held in batches for meaningful engagement.

The Speaker said students asked several insightful questions, including one on the most challenging aspect of presiding over the House. “Rather than any particular rule being difficult, the greater responsibility of the Chair is to ensure that every elected member is given a fair opportunity to speak and that every voice in the House is heard with impartiality,” he said.

He added that such programmes help students understand democratic institutions and the importance of listening, respecting differing opinions, and working toward consensus in the public interest.

“These values are essential life skills irrespective of the profession students eventually pursue,” he said. Sharing a message for the youth, Thomas A. Sangma urged them to place society’s interests above personal interests.

“Young people should always strive to place the interests of society above personal interests,” he said.

He encouraged students aspiring to enter public life to complete their education, stay connected to people’s aspirations, and uphold integrity, service, and responsible leadership. After the interaction, several students called the session enriching and inspiring.

One student who asked about VIP culture said the Speaker’s response offered a meaningful perspective on leadership and public office.

Another student said the most memorable lesson was the Speaker’s observation that although the office is called the “Speaker,” the responsibility of the Chair is, above all, to listen attentively to the voices of the Members of the Legislative Assembly — an enduring principle of parliamentary democracy.

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