Shillong, May 23: Culture goes beyond mere preservation of traditions; it acts as a vehicle for economic opportunity and growth, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said.
Speaking at a celebration to mark the centenary of the Tura Natya Samity, the chief minister said in Meghalaya, culture plays a vital role in connecting the past to the present while opening doors to global opportunities.
Shillong, often hailed as the “rock capital of India,” is now emerging as the “music capital of India,” Sangma said the state is gaining prominence in the music and entertainment sector.
Meghalaya has become a premier destination for live concerts, welcoming internationally acclaimed artists like Def Leppard, Bryan Adams, Ed Sheeran, Europe, Akon, and The Script, the chief minister said, adding, “This shows how culture has become a bridge between tradition and global opportunity.”
He spoke of initiatives like the Meghalaya Grassroots Music Project and said that the government has enabled more than 7,000 artists to thrive by providing them with honorariums ranging from ₹8,000 to ₹50,000 per performance.
He further announced that the Government is establishing a world-class Film Institute in Shillong and a Music Institute in Tura to nurture creative talent and strengthen the State’s cultural ecosystem.
Meanwhile, at a function hosted by the All Garo Hills SSA School Teachers Association (AGHSSASTA-CB), the chief minister launched the MBOSE E-Office Management System and the Accounting System, a unified dashboard designed to strengthen financial management, transparency, and institutional accountability.
He also launched the Chief Minister’s Leadership in Education and Development (CM Lead) fellowship. This state-led initiative aims to engage young professionals in the education system. The goal is to foster innovation and better coordination among various educational initiatives across the 12 districts of the state. Young leaders will have the opportunity to contribute fresh ideas and energy towards transforming the learning experiences of around 8,000 students in government and government-aided schools.
Additionally, the chief minister flagged off 27 vehicles, which will enhance the mobility of education officials and strengthen field-level monitoring, aimed to enhance grassroots supervision and ensure that educational policies are effectively implemented on the ground.
