Staff Reporter
Dimapur, Jun 18 (NPN): Kepozo Kapuh of St. Joseph’s College (Autonomous), Jakhama, returned to Dimapur Airport on Thursday after winning the Best Responder Award at the Viksit Bharat Youth Parliament 2026 in New Delhi. Representing Nagaland as Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, he earned the award and Rs 1 lakh cash prize.
Speaking to media on arrival at Dimapur Airport, Kepozo said young people should be given a greater role in politics. Speaking to media persons, he said it is important to see young faces, young voices, new ideas and new strategies in political life. While showing respect to the older generation for their wisdom, knowledge and experience, he said younger people should also be given a chance to come forward, lead society and work for social justice and social welfare.
He said the younger generation has fresh thinking and should be allowed to contribute more in public life. At the same time, he stressed that this should not be seen as disre-spect to elders, but as a way of balancing experience with new energy.
Speaking about the recognition he received, Kepozo said he felt both happy and hum-bled. He said the award has also brought greater responsibility. According to him, the recognition does not create arrogance but reminds him to act and speak carefully so that younger people can look up to him.
He also spoke about his performance in the women’s reservation session, saying that he spoke with conviction and highlighted the need for capacity-building for women. He credited his faith and confidence for helping him speak well at the national level.
He added that the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports took care of his travel and accom-modation expenses, and he also thanked St. Joseph’s College and his mentors and fac-ulty members for their support and guidance.
On the issue of women in society, Kepozo said he was encouraged by speaking on women’s empowerment at the national level but also felt sad about the condition of women in the state. He said women are still not safe in homes and are not given enough opportunity in politics. He added that society must think about where it is going wrong and said women’s leadership should begin at home and be supported and encouraged.
He urged young people to come out of their comfort zones, take part in meaningful dis-cussions and contribute positively to society, saying it is their duty to give back to the society that has given them the chance to live in a civilised world.
The Viksit Bharat Youth Parliament 2026 programme was organised by Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India, in collaboration with MY Bharat, the national-level pro-gramme and brought together youth representatives from across the country to deliberate on issues of governance, public policy, social justice and nation-building.