Shillong, July 2: Assembly Speaker Thomas A. Sangma on Thursday told 60 student interns that democracy lives beyond textbooks and needs young voices inside the House, during an interactive session at the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly in Rilbong.
“This is more than an academic exercise. It’s a chance to experience democracy in action,” Sangma said, addressing interns from eight Meghalaya colleges and Delhi University. The Law Department event drew MLAs Ronnie V. Lyngdoh, Santa Mary Shylla, Charles Pyngrope, and Brightstarwell Marbaniang, along with senior Assembly officials.
The Speaker pressed for youth entry into public life, recalling a parliamentary seminar in Canada with delegates from 90 countries. He cited a 25-year-old woman MP there and noted that women hold over half the seats despite no quota. “Young people bring fresh ideas, energy and innovation. Their involvement in the legislative process is essential,” he said.
Sangma defended heated Assembly debates as democracy’s strength. “Democracy teaches people to respect diverse viewpoints, engage in constructive dialogue and work collectively towards solutions,” he said, adding that good governance in Meghalaya must reflect the state’s cultural diversity.
The session wrapped with a sharp Q&A, with students grilling lawmakers on policy and politics. Deputy Chief Whip Ronnie V. Lyngdoh said such meets help “dispel misconceptions about politics” and show how the legislature really works. MLA Santa Mary Shylla added that legislators too picked up “valuable insights” from the students.
