Shillong: Assembly Speaker Thomas A. Sangma challenged local students to embrace impartiality and service during a session on Wednesday. He met with 40 interns from five Shillong colleges to discuss the mechanics of governance and the realities of legislative work.
The meeting brought together students from St. Anthony’s College, St. Edmund’s College, Shillong Commerce College, Synod College, and K.L. Bajoria College. They are currently working through a 120-hour internship program aligned with the National Education Policy. Nearly 90 students have cycled through these sessions so far.
Students grilled the Speaker on parliamentary procedure and the constitutional weight of his office. Sangma explained that his biggest job is keeping the House balanced. He insists that every elected official deserves a fair shot at the microphone. He told the interns to value the collective good over their own advancement.
The Speaker warned that leadership demands staying tuned to the needs of the public. He pushed the students to finish their schooling and keep their priorities straight. One participant noted the session left a mark. They said the most memorable takeaway was the Speaker’s observation that "while the office is titled Speaker, the core duty of the Chair is to listen attentively to the voices of the members."
Comments