Shillong: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Thursday (April 24) virtually inaugurated a two-day ‘Workshop on Emerging Technologies’ at the State Convention Centre in Shillong.
The workshop, organized by the Department of Information Technology & Communications (IT&C), Government of Meghalaya in collaboration with the National e-Governance Division (NeGD), witnessed participation from key dignitaries and stakeholders from across the state and country.
In his keynote address as chief guest, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma stressed the transformative power of technology in governance, citing it as a tool to solve real-world problems and improve existing public systems.
He highlighted the success of Meghalaya’s e-Proposal and digital file movement systems under the Meghalaya Enterprise Architecture framework.
The Chief Minister pointed out that even while away from Shillong, he was able to seamlessly clear government files on his mobile device, demonstrating the efficacy of real-time digital governance.
He shared the remarkable progress the state has made in reducing maternal mortality by nearly 50% through the use of technology in tracking and supporting high-risk pregnancies.
He also spoke about a pioneering initiative to install IoT sensors across the state’s 70,000 water springs to gather real-time data for improved water resource management, adding that the project aims to support better planning and conservation efforts.
Highlighting the state’s push for blockchain integration, the Chief Minister announced that Meghalaya will soon implement a blockchain-based employee data and promotion tracking system.
This, he said, would reduce delays and enhance transparency in recruitment and career progression across government departments.
Inspired by a recent study visit to Japan, the Chief Minister also discussed cutting-edge farming models utilizing robotics and AI in greenhouse farming.
He expressed the state’s intent to replicate such technologies in Meghalaya, especially in crops like strawberries and lettuce, to enhance agricultural productivity.
He further added that emerging technologies such as Augmented and Virtual Reality will be explored in Meghalaya’s tourism sector to create immersive digital experiences and global visibility for the state’s cultural and natural heritage.
The Chief Minister concluded by reaffirming Meghalaya’s commitment to becoming the IT and digital services hub of the Northeast.
He spoke about infrastructure developments such as the expansion of Shillong Tech Parks, upcoming five-star hotels, improved airport connectivity with larger flights expected to land by early 2026, and enhanced fiber-optic and Infrastructure to support the digital ecosystem.
He called for deeper collaboration with NeGD, IndiaAI, and other partners to ensure inclusive technological progress across the state from urban centres to remote villages.
Speaking at the event, Chief Secretary D.P. Wahlang applauded the strides made by the state in digital governance, highlighting the successful implementation of e-file systems that have significantly increased administrative efficiency.
He also touched upon the establishment of the State Government’s Drone Technology Lab, which is now being used for high-resolution mapping in sectors such as mining, forestry, and tourism.
He commended the use of VR in legal education, citing its integration at the National Law University in Shillong.
The Chief Secretary emphasized the importance of building the digital ecosystem, not just in infrastructure but in local language accessibility, such as the upcoming integration of Khasi and Garo languages into the AI-powered Bhashini app.
Nand Kumaram, President and CEO of NeGD, emphasized the need for a shift from pilot projects to scalable, product-oriented technology solutions.
He urged departments to embrace a product mindset, prioritize procurement reforms, develop team capabilities, and foster a culture of learning within government organizations
Kumaram underscored the importance of collaboration with startups and educational institutions, citing Rajasthan’s IT Cadre model and national initiatives like the Bhashini platform and AI Mission as successful case studies.
The two-day workshop will include technical sessions focusing on Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, Cybersecurity, UX in Governance, and Public Digital Infrastructure.
It aims to deepen the understanding of technology’s role in shaping future-ready governance, aligned with the State Government’s Digital Meghalaya vision and national missions such as Digital India and IndiaAI.
