Ensuring an appropriate platform for youth to voice their concerns on the political process and informing them on political activities happening in the country were some of the objectives of the meeting organised by the young members of the Druk Phuensum Tshogpa on November 11.

The party president, Jigmi Y Thinley, and the young members of DPT, aged 18 to 35, met about 200 young people at the Kelki auditorium in Thimphu.

The participants, mostly fresh graduates, were briefed by the party president on democracy and the party’s principle and objectives in a nutshell. The president also urged the young participants to be energized, more responsible and organised for the development of the country.

While some of the participants had heard about the meeting on the private radio stations, Kuzoo and Radio Valley, some were informed through their friends and relatives. Sonam Phuntsho, 27, a recent graduate told Kuensel that the meeting was productive and more such meetings should be conducted in future. “Such meetings are important and they should involve us now because we are the future leaders, future politicians and it is important that we understand the change right from the beginning,� he said.

But there were participants who expected something different. “I expected an informal and interactive session, but it became a formal meeting with less discussion,� said Chencho, 26.

Organizers said that the meeting was initially planned to get young people thinking and bring out or discuss issues they thought were important. “But since this was just the start, the party will have more such gatherings as a forum to actually discuss issues that young people think should be addressed,� said Khandu Om. “Young people should attend all such meetings of all political parties to get a picture of what’s happening and to make an informed choice in the elections, because youth forms a major part of the population today.�
Source: Kuenselonline