Shillong, Jul 29: The ‘Achiever of the Month’ programme under the Chief Minister’s Meghalaya Grassroots Music Programme (CM-MGMP) was held in Tura today.
Addressing musicians, entrepreneurs and youth, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma said taking government programs to different regions helps share culture and experiences. Citing the Meghalaya Games in Jowai, he noted 90 per cent of athletes from Garo Hills had never been to Shillong. “This is why it is important to take governance and celebration to the people,” he said.
Sangma said the ‘Achiever of the Month’, started in 2018 to promote entrepreneurship, will now be extended to other sectors. “Every month we will select a department and felicitate an achiever at the CM’s level. This month is for music, next month for sports,” he added.
On CM-MGMP, he said music is central to Meghalaya’s identity but promotion efforts were earlier inadequate. “Today MGMP supports thousands of artists. We are in the right direction and will make it better,” he said.
On the music sector, the Chief Minister announced several initiatives. For infrastructure, he said a 40,000 to 50,000 capacity performing arena will come up in Knowledge City, Mawkynrew, along with a music-themed hotel featuring daily live music. A Music Institute will be set up in Tura, while a Film City and Film Institute are planned for Shillong.
On original music, he stated that major festivals including Cherry Blossom will have dedicated segments for original compositions by local artists. “Your originals will give you identity,” he told musicians, adding that Meghalaya needs music that can be showcased on a global stage.
Stressing on professionalism, the Chief Minister said there is a need to build entrepreneurs and professionals to run studios and manage bands. He pointed to the lack of world-class recording studios in the Northeast as a major opportunity, and said the government will push for music theory, training and a scientific understanding of music to strengthen the overall ecosystem.
Chegim Durama, 25, a singer-songwriter from Tura, was named MGMP ‘Achiever of the Month’. He credited CM-MGMP for helping him record music and buy equipment.
The Chief Minister also said CM-MGMP Season 4 will soon be launched with greater focus on original music, training, workshops, a dedicated website, and national/international exposure.
Later, schemes under the Chief Minister’s Special Development Fund were distributed at the CM’s Residence in Tura. The Chief Minister said CMDSF is meant for small but impactful projects and efforts are on for fair distribution across Garo, Khasi and Jaintia Hills.
