I strongly believe that we have everything it takes to become the best in the country, and therefore we will target that. – Conrad K Sangma, Chief Minister
Shillong, Nov 21: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma has envisioned to link the growth of the literature festival being held in Shillong to the state’s broader economic and tourism strategy.
Reaffirming the state’s commitment to fostering a vibrant creative economy, the Chief Minister attended the second day of the 5th Shillong Literary Festival at iconic Ward’s Lake.
Amid the stunning backdrop of cherry blossoms and intellectual discourse, the Chief Minister engaged with a diverse gathering of literary luminaries and young voices.
The Chief Minister reflected on the festival’s evolution from a “small gathering” to a major platform, acknowledging that while “our people have the passion” and “the desire and the will, to write, and to be able to tell a story,” they previously lacked the necessary platform to showcase their talent.
He explained that the administration is now actively bridging this gap by “bringing established authors from outside” to motivate local youth to “start the process of writing.”
On the long-term roadmap, he clarified that these events are vital for creating livelihoods, stating that “Shillong is today being marketed not just as a rock capital, we are working towards going into sports and we are also looking at making this into a literary or the arts capital of the country.”
Highlighting that the state’s competitive advantage lies in the unique energy of its citizens, he noted, “I strongly believe that we have everything it takes to become the best in the country, and therefore we will target that.”
Highlighting the strategic economic impact of the state’s tourism calendar, the Chief Minister revealed that investments in five major concerts during 2024 generated a massive return of approximately Rs 133 crore for the local economy, directly benefiting a wide spectrum of stakeholders from homestay owners and taxi operators to small shopkeepers.
To further solidify Shillong’s brand identity, the government has sanctioned a total of Rs 50 crore comprising an initial Rs 20 crore and an additional Rs 30 crore for the complete beautification and infrastructure uplift of Ward’s Lake.
This includes the installation of laser light shows depicting state history and the creation of permanent arenas to host daily cultural events, ensuring a continuous festive calendar from the Literary Festival to Christmas.
The Chief Minister underscored that these initiatives are fundamentally designed to channel the energy of the youth, who comprise 50% of the population.
He cited the success of the Meghalaya Grassroots Music Project (MGMP), which now supports over 7,000 artists and positively impacts nearly 30,000 young people.
Furthermore, aiming to foster intellectual growth, he announced the expansion of the Chief Minister’s Research Grant to support 75 scholars this year and the formation of a dedicated research team to conduct a two-year study into the linguistic, cultural, and genetic roots of the Khasi, Jaintia, and Garo tribes.
In his address, Tourism Minister Timothy D Shira said the event has turned Meghalaya into a destination for music lovers and boosting tourism significantly including allied sectors such as food, hospitality.
“At the heart of this cultural richness are the Khasis, Garos, Jaintia tribes and festivals like Shad Suk Mynsiem, Wangala Dance and Behdeinkhlam offering immersive glimpses into our heritage. The Shillong Literary Festival combining literature, music, arts and local cuisine reflects the spirit of Meghalaya,” he said.
The ongoing Shillong Literary Festival 2025 is witnessing high participation from local youngsters, storytellers, and creative people in general.
