Shillong: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Tuesday launched the State Level Youth Engagement Programme at NEHU’s Convention Hall, an initiative aimed at expanding cultural exposure and enhancing youth participation in the state’s development trajectory.
Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Wailadmiki Shylla was also present at the event.
Addressing the gathering, Sangma said exposure to diverse cultures and geographies would play a meaningful role in shaping the outlook of young people.
He noted that Meghalaya has entered a transformational phase, with groundwork laid in recent years now beginning to translate into long-term growth.
The youth engagement initiative, he added, is designed to be a transformative platform rather than just an exchange programme.
Sangma said the government’s larger vision is anchored in achieving a billion-dollar economy, and investing in young people’s ideas and capabilities is central to that goal.
He emphasised the need for equitable access to opportunities so that all communities participate in the state’s growth story.
The chief minister highlighted the challenge and potential of the 70,000 youth who enter the workforce annually, calling them a valuable resource while acknowledging the need to expand job-creating avenues.
He cited ongoing initiatives such as DREAM, the Early Childhood Development Programme, skilling and entrepreneurship schemes, CM Elevate, YESS Meghalaya and Hello Meghalaya as part of the government’s long-term strategy for youth empowerment.
Sangma urged participants to make the most of the programme as a space for interaction, learning and building unity among the state’s tribes and communities.
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He said he hoped the presentation would reassure young people that Meghalaya is moving forward and that they, too, would be part of the state’s growth journey.
Speaking at the event, Minister Wailadmiki Shylla underscored the importance of such engagements for fostering integration not just at national and international levels but also within the state.
He encouraged youth to use the programme to explore new ideas while developing values such as discipline, teamwork, responsibility and leadership.
As part of the initiative, 24 winners of the state-level exchange programme will visit Malaysia and the Philippines, while runners-up will travel to different locations across India for youth-focused activities and exposure.
