Teenage girls mock assembly promotes leadership and public service awareness
Hyderabad: A state-level Teenage girls mock assembly held at the historic former Legislative Council building in Jubilee Hall on Wednesday recreated the atmosphere of an Assembly session and provided a platform for young women to develop leadership and public service skills.
Teenage girls selected from across Telangana participated as elected representatives and debated public issues while taking on the roles of ruling and opposition members.
Dressed in white khadi attire and scarves, the participants conducted proceedings with discipline and confidence. They discussed issues such as health, education, tribal welfare, the impact of social media and the future of youth.
Organisers selected the participants after conducting mock assemblies at mandal and district levels through Teenage Girls Friendship Groups.
Teenage girls mock assembly encourages political awareness
Panchayat Raj, Rural Development, Women and Child Welfare Minister Dr. Danasari Anasuya Seethakka attended the programme as the chief guest and congratulated the participants.
She said the initiative was being organised under the directions of Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy to create opportunities for teenage girls to understand democratic institutions and governance.
The minister also thanked SERP Chief Executive Officer Divya Devarajan for her role in successfully organising the programme.
Seethakka praised the participants for discussing important issues, including public health, tribal welfare and the influence of social media.
She cautioned young people about excessive social media usage and advised them to remain focused on their goals.
According to the minister, many young people hesitate to enter politics. However, she encouraged those interested in public service to participate actively in political life.
She said leadership should emerge from remote villages as well because people who understand grassroots issues can effectively represent public concerns.
“This Assembly is a social temple. It is not a platform for criticism but a sacred place where solutions to public problems are discussed and laws are made,” she said.
Teenage girls mock assembly highlights future leadership
Seethakka said the maturity and awareness displayed by the participants had impressed her.
She rejected the notion that education was unnecessary for political leadership and stressed that leaders required knowledge, learning and continuous study.
According to the minister, education helps individuals better understand society and its challenges.
She urged the participants to cultivate discipline, values and hard work throughout their lives.
The minister said young women should aspire to earn respect in society through achievement and public service.
“You are our soldiers. Your role in building the future society is extremely important,” she said.
Seethakka also highlighted government initiatives aimed at strengthening the economic empowerment of women and young women.
She said women’s self-help groups were being supported to generate monthly incomes of up to ₹70,000 through livelihood activities.
The government was also providing interest-free loans and encouraging self-employment opportunities.
Furthermore, she said the government was creating market opportunities for products manufactured by rural women.
The minister noted that Chief Minister Revanth Reddy had facilitated sales outlets in Hyderabad’s Hitech City area for women’s products.
“Your roots may be in villages, but your goals should reach the world. Our roots are local, our vision is global,” she said.
Seethakka encouraged young people to choose careers that matched their interests and contributed to society.
She also advised them to respect elders and preserve cultural values.
The minister expressed hope that many participants in the Teenage girls mock assembly would one day return to the same Assembly hall as legislators, ministers, Speakers and even Chief Ministers.
The programme concluded with participants showcasing their debating skills and leadership abilities. Organisers said the initiative would help build a strong foundation for future women leaders in Telangana.