A student from Meghalaya has achieved an international milestone after being selected to represent India at the 13th Commonwealth Youth Parliament (CYP13) in Sydney, Australia. Nandini Ishvi O. Sangma, a Political Science student at Don Bosco College, Tura, joined young participants from across the Commonwealth for a programme focused on parliamentary democracy, leadership and governance.
Nandini was selected to participate in the prestigious youth programme alongside five other delegates from across India. CYP13 was held in Sydney from 26 to 31 July 2026, bringing together young people aged between 18 and 29 from Commonwealth jurisdictions for parliamentary simulation, leadership development and exposure to democratic processes.
Her selection followed a notable performance at the first-ever Youth Parliament in Garo Hills, held at the District Auditorium in Tura on 2 and 3 March 2026. Nandini was adjudged “Best Speaker” during the programme, which was organised by Tura Christian College in collaboration with the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly.
The Youth Parliament initiative in Tura was designed to give young people practical exposure to parliamentary functioning and democratic decision-making. Meghalaya Legislative Assembly Speaker Thomas A. Sangma, who attended the opening programme, encouraged participants to develop informed and responsible leadership while understanding how debate, dialogue and deliberation contribute to democratic governance.
For Nandini, the opportunity in Sydney provided a chance to take that experience to an international platform. The Commonwealth Youth Parliament is designed to expose aspiring young leaders to parliamentary procedures, legislative debate and governance while allowing participants from different Commonwealth regions to exchange perspectives and develop their leadership skills.
The programme brought together participants representing the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association’s different regions, including Africa, Asia, Australia, the British Islands and Mediterranean, the Caribbean, Americas and Atlantic, Canada, India, the Pacific and South-East Asia. The week-long programme combines simulated parliamentary activity with leadership development and discussions around contemporary democratic challenges.
Nandini’s achievement has particular significance for Meghalaya’s Garo Hills region, where youth participation in democratic institutions and leadership development has received increasing attention. Her journey from the local Youth Parliament in Tura to an international Commonwealth programme demonstrates how student-led platforms can provide opportunities for young people to develop confidence, public speaking skills and a deeper understanding of governance.
The Meghalaya Legislative Assembly has also continued to promote opportunities for students to gain practical exposure to democratic institutions. In July, Speaker Thomas A. Sangma highlighted the value of student interaction and internship programmes in helping young people understand governance, policymaking, parliamentary debate and the importance of listening to different viewpoints.
The Commonwealth Youth Parliament experience also places Nandini’s achievement within a broader effort to encourage young people to participate constructively in democratic life. The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association describes the programme as an opportunity for young people with ambitions of public office to understand the fundamentals of parliamentary processes and experience those processes through practical participation.
Nandini’s participation represents both an individual achievement and a moment of recognition for Don Bosco College, Tura, Meghalaya and the wider Garo Hills community. Her selection highlights the opportunities available to young people from India’s northeastern states when education, public speaking, leadership initiatives and youth engagement come together.
As young people increasingly look for opportunities to participate in public life, programmes such as the Commonwealth Youth Parliament can provide valuable international exposure and encourage cross-cultural understanding. Nandini Ishvi O. Sangma’s journey from Tura to Sydney offers an encouraging example of how local leadership opportunities can become stepping stones to wider national and international platforms.
