On the Mayor’s seat sat ‘speaker’ Mahadevan, with two sergeants in
uniform behind, on his left and right. The dais was decorated in colour
balloons and confetti. The councillors were replaced by ‘union
ministers’ and ‘parliament members.’
Following the presentation of
condolence resolution, ‘President’ Maneesha Madhu delivered the policy
address and the house approved it unanimously. Mayor K Chandrika, who
otherwise led the procedures in the Corporation Council hall, looked on
from the media chamber.
On Sunday, the children of
‘Balanagarasabha’ stole the show in the hall by holding their maiden
‘parliament’ meeting at the mock parliament jointly hosted by the City
Corporation and Kudumbashree. Earlier, they had made a rough
preparation the other day, but faced by time constraints, couldn’t go in
for a rehearsal. The start of the session hence witnessed itsy-bitsy
troubles at first, but that did not last long, as the youngsters got in
sync with the proceedings soon.
Though they were presenting a mock
parliament, the issues and matters that came up for discussion were
about the happenings pertaining to the state. To make things easier, all
had in their hands a prepared note, but in an hour, they penetrated
deep into the matters of concern, leading to a heated debate.
The
question hour set the stage for the fiery debates on issues demanding
serious attention. What does the government do to address the
ever-increasing garbage menace? What measures have been taken to ensure
women’s safety? What measures are put in place for safety of women who
depend on bus and train?
Replies like, ‘the subject is left for a
detailed study report’ did not satisfy the opposition. Leader of the
opposition Aleena fought tooth and nail for a convincing answer, and
when the ministers failed to give it, she, along with the opposition
members, staged a walkout, shouting slogans demanding the resignation of
the minister.
Another member wanted to know why school students
have to wait for long to get their textbooks printed. The education
minister’s reply of staff shortage and less availability of paper at the
printing press was not enough to pacify the member.
The debate at
one point took a funny turn, as the shortage of one essential raw
material bamboo was said to cripple the paper-making industry. Then it
needs to cultivate bamboo and who will do it? When the ruling front was
thrown the question, it boomeranged and fell on the opposition, whose
leader made an escape saying, ‘it not her job to plant bamboo.’
Every
minute, the discussion turned more and more intense. The lunch-break
too dominated with their plans for the afternoon than making it a time
devoted to enjoying the food.
The mock parliament was inaugurated
by V Sivankutty MLA. Mayor K Chandrika, Deputy Mayor G Happykumar and
Kudumbashree executive director K B Valsalakumari were also present. The
‘members’ of the mock parliament belonged to various schools in the
city.
