At this neighbourhood in Chennai, children raise their concerns and demands

Similar to Makkala Grama Sabha (children’s village sabha), a neighbourhood level children’s parliament in Chennai’s Kannagi Nagar is empowering children to be active participants in a democracy and make sure their voices are heard

Around 6.30 p.m. every Saturday, these “members of parliament” can be seen seated in a circle at a street corner in Kannagi Nagar, dissecting issues threadbare. The Inclusive Neighbourhood Children Parliament is in session, and the members are in the 6 to 16 age group.

Obviously, in this group, one will find ministers holding portfolios.

When this journalist talks to them on a call, “Home Minister” L. Gracy tries to recollect the discussions that transpired during a November 4 meeting. Her friend, “Finance Minister” Rithika Shri fetches the minutes of the meeting written down in a notebook.

“Last week, we discussed how to make Deepavali celebrations safe and the events that we will be conducting for children and senior citizens. Besides, in an upcoming meeting, we will finalising the details of the celebrations planned for Children’s Day,” says Gracy, a Class VI student of Little Angels School.

One-and-a-half years old, this neighbourhood-level initiative is imparting good citizenry skills to children. It is a tool for empowerment of the children and the entire community.

Arul Sahayam, founder, SPAN, a non-profit that has been guiding and training the children, says “Here we identify a local NGO or volunteers to train children in running a parliament. The family also becomes part of the parliament,” says Arul.

Currently, 30 families from Kannagi Nagar including children aged between 6 and 16 years are in the children’s parliament. Participants from Class IV and above are inducted as “ministers”.