In a unique initiative to mark Constitution Day and inspire young minds, the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government has organised a mock Punjab Vidhan Sabha session for students from government schools across the state at Sri Anandpur Sahib on Wednesday. The mock session, held at an Punjab Vidhan Sabha Building set up at Sri Anandpur Sahib to hold a Special Vidhan Sabha Session to mark the 350th Martyrdom Anniversary of Ninth Sikh Guru, Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib ji, was commenced by Secretary Punjab Vidhan Sabha Ramlok Khatana with the permission of Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan.
Punjab Deputy Speaker of Vidhan Sabha Jai Krishan Singh Rouri welcomed the Speaker Vidhan Sabha, dignitaries, and all participants, and apprised the gathering about the significance of the Constitution Day. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Dr Ravjot Singh, addressing the gathering, stated that the Constitution of India not only grants us the right to live a better life but also makes us aware of our duties.
He expressed hope that today's session would spark an interest in politics among the students. In his address, Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhawan described the day as historic, where they are training the future generation about how government works. He emphasised that politics touches every aspect of our lives, determines the value of everything, and profoundly influences our existence.
The Speaker, Deputy Speaker, and other dignitaries enthusiastically encouraged the students who role-played as the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Chief Minister, Cabinet Ministers, and MLAs. Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhawan stated that students are the future leaders, and this special initiative of the Punjab Government reflects its commitment to making Punjab's children the rulers of tomorrow.
Congratulating the school students, teachers, and parents, the Speaker also appealed for greater participation in politics. He assigned the students a task to write an article on the topic of 'Vote Theft'. He announced cash prizes worth of Rs 51,000, Rs 21,000, and Rs 11,000 for the students securing first, second, and third positions, respectively.
He encouraged students from any school in Punjab to visit this special assembly set up at Sri Anandpur Sahib until November 29. The Speaker also honoured the school students and teachers present on the occasion. During the mock session, students brilliantly performed the roles of various legislators. Student Harkamaldeep Singh from School of Eminence, Ghanauri Kalan, represented as the Chief Minister; Harpreet Singh from Government Adarsh Senior Secondary School, Kot Dhandhal, represented as the Leader of Opposition; Jagmandar Singh from HSN School of Eminence, Jaito, represented as the Speaker; and Dishant Kumar from Government Senior Secondary School, Rurki Khas, represented as the Deputy Speaker.
During the Question Hour of this special mock session, 10 questions were asked. The answers were effectively given by the school students role-playing as the Minister of Water Resources, Minister of Public Works, Minister of Forests, Chief Minister, Minister of Social Security, Women & Child Development, Minister of Transport, Minister of Education, Minister of Health, Minister of Local Government, and Minister of Finance.
The student MLAs also presented two bills including 'The Punjab Panchayati Raj (Amendment) Bill 2024' and 'The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Punjab Amendment) Bill 2025'. Furthermore, student Jaspreet Singh, role-playing as MLA Vijay Singla, presented a Call Attention Notice regarding the sewerage system in Mansa city; student Husanpreet Singh, role-playing as MLA Kuljit Singh Randhawa, raised an issue concerning the conservation of water resources and land; and student Gurbhej Singh, role-playing as MLA Rana Inder Partap Singh, brought forward a matter regarding the development of a new variety of maize seeds by Punjab Agriculture University. All these notices were passed unanimously by the house.