Chief Minister Conrad Sangma has called on the youth of the state not to forget their roots and identity in the face of globalisation and technological advancement.
Inaugurating the two-day Tri Hills Ensemble here today, the Chief Minister said, “We are living in a world which is seamlessly connected globally through various advancements in technology and we might lose sight of who we are and where we come from.”
He said as a society it is important to inculcate and imbibe the youth and the coming generations on the importance of their identity and roots.
The Chief Minister said through such festivals the government is trying to bridge the gap and remind the society about origins, practices and beliefs.
The Chief Minister also emphasized on the importance of documentation through various mediums to preserve and promote the richness of the cultures of Meghalaya.
He said the government is taking up promotion of art and culture of the State and have made sure that there is a convergence of various departments. “Hence, we have specifically made a conscious decision that the tourism, arts and culture and the textile portfolio should be held by one minister as they are closely interlinked,” he added.
Minister in charge of the departments, Paul Lyngdoh quoted John Keats: “Heard melodies are sweet, but those unheard are sweeter” and emphasised that there is no end to learning when it comes to arts and culture.
Lyngdoh said the small state of Meghalaya hopes to spread culture and its components to the rest of the world “just like Bob Marley did, to spread Reggae music from a small nation of Jamaica.”
The event which will conclude tomorrow is being held at the premises of the State Central Library, where a number of stalls showcasing the art, culture and food besides other attractions were set up.
The festival is an ensemble of micro workshops and repositories portraying the culture, cuisine, crafts, attire, songs, dances and drama of the Khasi, Jaiñtia and Garo Hills.
