First time MPs ready for new challenges

They were 'excited', 'overwhelmed' and looking forward to 'learn' -- for the first-time parliamentarians, the entry into the citadel of democracy was an experience worth cherishing.

But for the new Lok Sabha members, the day also heralded the emergence of a challenge -- to deliver on the promises they have made to the people.

Agatha Sangma, the 28-year-old Nationalist Congress Party Member of Parliament from Meghalaya, who is also the youngest minister in the Union Council, said the first day in Parliament was 'very exciting'.

"The experience is very exciting and I am looking forward to working for my constituency and also for the country," the daughter of former Lok Sabha Speaker P A Sangma said.

Young Congress MP from Haryana Shruti Choudhury felt privileged to be in the Lok Sabha. "It is overwhelming. It is also a great privilege and responsibility to be here," said Choudhury, daughter of Haryana Tourism Minister Kiran Choudhury.

Kalikesh Singhdeo, the Biju Janata Dal MP who trounced sister-in-law Sangeeta Singhdeo from Bolangir in Orissa, said, "It is challenging too, because now we will have to deliver."

Singhdeo's constituency has frequently been in the news for the wrong reasons like reports of poverty deaths and sale of children by impoverished parents. The MP, who belongs to the royal family of Bolangir, said his first priority for his area will be solving the livelihood issues and drinking water.

Asked whether being a royal family member helped him win the elections, Singhdeo said it only helps in the initial stages to connect with the people. "But beyond this, you will have to be on your own and work hard to fulfill your promises," he added.

BJD's Yaswant Narain Singh Lagun, who was elected from Keonjhar, said the first day in Lok Sabha was "good as well as a learning experience."

Another first-timer from Orissa, Congress MP from Bargarh Sanjay Bhoi, said his day was 'quite exciting'. Bhoi, a software engineer, said his priorities will be irrigation and primary health care in his constituency.

"People are facing problems due to inadequate irrigation facilities in the area. I will try to focus on this problem. I will also try to improve primary health care facilities in my constituency," he said.