New Delhi: The Running Parliamentary Shield and Trophy for standing first in the 12th Youth Parliament Competition was awarded to Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV), Distt. Kollam, Kerala by V. Narayanasamy, the Union Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs and Planning here yesterday.

"Besides, merit trophies were awarded to 7 Vidyalayas for standing first in their respective regions," said an official press release.

These schools are located in - Barun, Distt. Aurangabad, Bihar, Patna region; Dabhasemar, Distt. Faizabad, Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow region; Arnora Ghat, Distt. Doda, Jammu & Kashmir, Chandigarh region; Nandla, Distt. Ajmar, Rajasthan, Jaipur region; Rohtak, Distt. West Sikkim, Shillong region; Trapaj Bunglow, Distt. Bhavnagar, Gujarat, Pune region and Goshala, Distt. Sambalpur, Bhopal region.

The 12th Competition in the series was organized during 2008-2009 among 64 Vidyalayas spread over 8 regions all over India.

The Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs have been organizing Youth Parliament Competitions in Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas for the past 12 years.

V. Narayanasamy, on the occasion said that, "The Youth Parliament Scheme aims at inculcating among the younger generations the spirit of self-discipline, tolerance of diverse opinion, righteous expression of views and other virtues of a democratic way of life. Besides, the scheme also acquaints the students with the practices and procedures of the Parliament, techniques of discussion and debate and develops in them the self confidence, the quality of leadership and the art and skill of effective oratory."

Welcoming the guests earlier on the occasion, Anil Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs said that, "The Youth Parliament imbibes democratic values and inculcates tolerance and respect for divergent opinion in participating students who may be the parliamentarians in future. This exercise, therefore, is a step towards ensuring that future of democracy in India is in safe hands."