Shillong, Mar 28: The 8th North East Graduate Congress 2026 began yesterday at the University of Science and Technology Meghalaya (USTM).
The formal inauguration was held yesterday in the presence of Education Minister Lahkmen Rymbui, fellow cabinet minister Timothy D Shira and Sosthenes Sohtun and Nongpoh MLA Mayralborn Syiem.
The NEGC is a three-day youth centric academic, cultural and sporting event organised by USTM that aims to bring together undergraduates from across the North East to foster talent, strengthen regional integration and nurture leadership, while also providing a platform to engage with academic and industry experts. The event features competitions in literary, cultural, creative, sports and innovation categories.
Addressing the gathering, Rymbui highlighted the importance of such platforms for the holistic development of students.
The minister noted that day two of the Congress, which focused on cultural presentations, is particularly significant as it celebrates the rich cultural identity and traditional practices of the North East region.
Rymbui also lauded USTM and its partners for successfully organizing the Congress and expressed his hope that such initiatives will continue annually, growing in scale and impact each year.
The day began on an energetic and colourful note with a cultural rally featuring students dressed in traditional attire from Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura and Sikkim.
In his address, Shira highlighted the importance of youth participation in shaping the future of the region and commended NEGC as a platform that nurtures leadership, innovation, and collaboration. He encouraged students to actively engage in knowledge-sharing and contribute meaningfully to society.
Sohtun spoke on inclusive growth and rural development, encouraging young minds to take active roles in grassroots transformation, while Syiem lauded the initiative for promoting unity and cultural integration among the youth of the North East.
