Campuses of the Aspire Meghalaya programme in East Jaiñtia Hills, South West Khasi Hills and Ri-Bhoi witnessed the display of 22 talents from six campuses in Khliehriat, 21 from five campuses in Nongpoh and 22 from five campuses in Mawkyrwat.
In East Jaiñtia Hills, Aishwadaka Dkhar (Singing) of Class 9 at Rymbai Government Secondary School; Torimame Dkhar (Singing) of Class 9 at Sutnga Presbyterian Higher Secondary School; and Shreya Pal (Art & Craft) of Class 12 at Jaiñtia Eastern College were recognised as the ‘district stars’.
From Ri-Bhoi, Anyzza Lyngdoh (Singing), a BA 3rd semester student from Ri-Bhoi College; Banisha Kharsyntiew (Singing), Class 11, and Ribanshanbok Mawlong (Singing) Class 12 from Ferrando Higher Secondary School were recognised as the Ri-Bhoi stars.
Richard Marwein (Art & Craft), Class 11 from Nativity Higher Secondary School, Excellency Turnia (Musical Instruments), BA 1st Semester from Sngap Syiem College and Phibalari Thongni (Dancing), Class 9 from St Mary’s Higher Secondary School, Rangblang, were recognised as the stars of South West Khasi Hills.
Talent discovery platforms were integrated into the campus training interventions that have seen the emergence of 350 promising talents from across districts varying from singing, dancing, spoken word, sports and visual arts.
A total of 36 district stars will converge at a state-level summit where state stars will be recognised. The district talent committees comprise officials from the Education and Sports and Youth Affairs Departments, as well as renowned personalities in various art spaces.
In his speech at the event in Mawkyrwat, cabinet minister Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar appreciated the vision to engage youths with a programme like Aspire Meghalaya.
He went on to talk about how despite having the ideas and thoughts, the youths cannot express themselves with clarity because they believe they are not gifted in spoken English.
“English is a foreign language but I want to encourage you to speak whatever English you know with courage. Don’t feel shy and don’t fear that your grammar may be wrong here and there,” he said.
In Khliehriat, cabinet minister Kyrmen Shylla advised the students not to resort to comparisons as each of their talents are unique, and urged them to work at improving their own skill set.
Speaking at the event in Nongpoh, Commissioner and Secretary of Arts and Culture, Frederick Roy Kharkongor, said, “Aspire Meghalaya addresses critical issues amongst young people – to drive your passion and purpose forward, to give wings to your dreams while also reminding you about your roots.”
He expressed his joy at seeing students being mentored, skilled and having been provided with bigger platforms to display their talents.
