‘I strongly encourage our citizens to vote for a better India and a brighter future,’ says an Apeejay participant  

Campaigning and the voting process for the Lok Sabha Elections 2024 is going on in full swing. And this has been generating a unique sense of enthusiasm among the voters, especially the young voters. Therefore, to understand the perspectives and opinions of the youth in India regarding the ongoing General Elections, The Times of India (TOI) invited selected students from top institutions of Delhi-NCR to participate in a round table panel discussion in their Gurugram office. 

And it became a  moment of pride for the students of Apeejay Stya University who represented their University in this special coverage of the Lok Sabha Elections 2024, under the brand ‘Dance of Democracy’. 

Speaking with one of the Apeejay participants, Harsh Sah, a 4th-year student from the School of Biosciences and a 3-time Intra-university debate champion, he shared his views regarding this round table conference and urged voters to cast their votes. Read edited excerpts:  

How did the team get shortlisted? 

The selection process began with the Times of India choosing the top institutions within Delhi-NCR. Apeejay Stya University was selected as one of them. Subsequently, Prof. Sanjay Ahirwal, the Dean of Students’ Welfare, shortlisted the top debaters from our university. These included Archita Ranjan, a 4th-year student from the School of Legal Studies, who is also a three-time intra-university debate champion and represented our university in the 37th AIU National Youth Elocution Competition 2024. Keshvi Priya Sinha, a 1st-year student from the School of Journalism and Mass Communication, currently serving on the Board of Directors of the Rotaract Club of Apeejay Stya University and me. I have also represented our University in the 37th AIU National Youth Debate Competition 2024, received the National Service Scheme Award Student for the Year 2021-22, and served as the Vice President of the Rotaract Club of the Apeejay Stya University.  Recognising our significant achievements, we were eligible to represent Apeejay Stya University at the Times of India panel discussion. 

What were your perspectives and learnings via this round table discussion? 

I had the honour of representing Apeejay Stya University alongside my esteemed colleagues, Archita Ranjan, and Keshvi Priya Sinha, during a panel discussion on the show ‘Dance of Democracy’ organised by The Times of India . It was a truly momentous occasion for us to be the voice for the voiceless and to represent the perspectives of our Indian youth in the ongoing Lok Sabha Elections. This opportunity has filled me with immense pride and a sense of responsibility. From initially seeing the dignitaries on television to actually becoming an active panelist and engaging in discussions about national issues, geopolitics, and constitutional rights have been an unforgettable and enriching experience for me. 

How did faculty at Apeejay support you in this activity? 

Well! On behalf of my fellow teammates, we are truly grateful to the faculties of Apeejay Stya University, especially Prof. Sanjay Ahirwal sir and Dr. Sonam Raheja maa’m, for their unwavering belief in our abilities. This has been our driving force behind the success, and we are truly appreciative of their support and encouragement. 

How excited are you about the elections? 

I am extremely excited and optimistic about the current elections. Furthermore, I was a first-time voter, and I cast my vote in favour of the national interest. Through this platform, I strongly encourage our citizens to celebrate this democratic festival and to vote for a better India and a brighter future.