Shillong, Oct 29: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma today said the biggest change needed for Meghalaya’s growth is not just schemes and programmes but a change in mindset.
Addressing the MPOWER youth opportunities and economic growth workshop, the Chief Minister said the state has huge potential which is yet to be fully realised.
“Everything starts with believing that things can happen and that you want it to happen. That small spark is what the government is trying to create in every person,” he said.
Sangma observed that 80 per cent of people see problems and complain but do not act. He hoped programmes like MPOWER would create a mindset of taking action. “Instead of just criticizing and complaining, one should ask – what can I do about it?” he said.
He stressed the need to focus on low-hanging fruits rather than doing too many things at once, saying it creates momentum and motivation. The workshop, he said, should help identify problems, solutions, resources and capacity and pick the right motivated team.
Admitting that Meghalaya is behind on development parameters, the Chief Minister said efforts of the last eight years are now showing impact as institutional systems take time to build. He said some state programmes have been recognised by the Centre and even replicated in other states.
He added that the state’s strength lies in its communities and sectors like horticulture, agriculture, IT, food processing and tourism have potential, with the government investing in them through its own models and economic systems focusing on few sectors.
