Over 1,500 students from 62 campuses across districts in Meghalaya converged at the Shillong International Centre for Performing Arts & Culture (SICPAC) yesterday for the Aspire Meghalaya State Summit 2022.
At the summit, 36 talented individuals from various fields, including singing, dance, contemporary performances, musical instruments, art & craft, and sustainable innovation, took the stage to represent their schools and respective districts. They performed in front of a panel of judges and the State Summit audience.
These talents emerged from the State’s largest Soft Skills and Talent Identification programme under the Aspire Meghalaya initiative, from a pool of over 13,000 youths and, subsequently, 348 talents who represented 62 partner campuses at talent events held in their respective districts in the months of October and November.
The top 3 Aspire State Stars are First Colour Lathong (Musical Instruments) of St. Dominic Higher Secondary School, Mookyndeng, West Jaintia Hills District; Rida L Nonglait (Singing) of Kynshi Higher Secondary School, Kynshi, Eastern West Khasi Hills District and Phibalari Thongni (Dance) of St. Mary’s Higher Secondary School, Rangblang, South West Khasi Hills District.
The contingent arrived in the State Capital on December 9, accompanied by their parents and teachers. They have since been preparing for the State Summit, the culmination event of the year-long Aspire Meghalaya programme. As part of their preparation, the 36 talents received talent mentorship sessions from renowned artists such as Kitkupar Shangpliang and Pynsuklin Syiemiong from Meghalaya-based fusion rock band Summersalt, as well as Benedict Skhemlang Hynniewta, Tengnang D Sangma, Lamphang Syiemlieh, Anniesha Mawrie, Shepherd Najiar, Gracyl Ropmay, Rida Gatphoh, Naga Karthik MP, Banshai Mukhim, and Shaun Morehead Nonghulo. The members of the Talent Selection Jury included Mikhail Marak, Simi Khongtiang, Benedict Skhemlang Hynniewta, Monica Chanda, Dr N. Munish Singh, Careen Joplin Langstieh, and Meba Ofilia.
Chief Minister Conrad Sangma was present at the event. He said the youth of the state need to be directed and their energies channelized in the right way. “Programmes like Aspire are the small but important steps that we are taking as the State government in order to ensure that we are able to provide our youth with the best opportunities that they deserve,” he added.
The event also saw the release of the Meghalaya Youth Survey 2022 Study. Over 300 campuses participated in the youth survey through the support of over 500 teachers state-wide. The study released was vetted by the APJ Abdul Kalam Centre for Policy, Research & Analysis, IIM Shillong.
Aspire Meghalaya was launched in March 2022 with the goal of encouraging grassroots youth engagement, building critical soft skills for life, improving career aspirations, and identifying emerging talents across districts.
The program is an initiative of the Directorate of Sports & Youth Affairs and is supported by the State Education Mission Authority. It is implemented by Meghalaya-based social enterprise, Avenues.
