Conrad expresses gratitude to PM for nominating Living Root Bridge for World Heritage status
Shillong, Jan 29: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma has sought continued support from the Centre to keep up the pace of development in the state and expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for considering the Living Root Bridge for nomination as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, during a meeting with the latter on Thursday.
During the meeting, the Chief Minister briefed the Prime Minister on the State’s progress made across various sectors.
The Chief Minister submitted a set of documents to the Prime Minister outlining the State’s progress, future vision, and key submissions seeking continued support from the Government of India.
These included a note on Meghalaya’s development progress, Vision 2032 for sustained economic growth, and proposals aimed at maintaining the State’s development momentum in alignment with the national vision of Viksit Bharat.
Significantly, during his interaction with the Prime Minister, CM Sangma was seen wearing a kurta crafted from Kala cotton sourced from Kutch in Gujarat, paired with a jacket woven from Eri silk in Garo Hills, subtly reflecting the confluence of textile traditions from western and eastern India.
The Chief Minister highlighted Meghalaya’s strong economic growth performance, improvements in maternal health and human development indicators, strengthening of large processing units and market linkages to double farmers income, advances in development of New Shillong city, expansion of tourism through private sector and community participation, preparations for hosting the 39th National Games in 2027, and sustained efforts in preserving and promoting indigenous knowledge systems and cultural heritage.
Key areas of their discussions on the State’s future growth and development, included sustaining the growth momentum of smaller NER States, continued Central support for capital investment, enhancement of EAP ceiling for the State, infrastructure development, fiscal empowerment, and long-term initiatives aimed at strengthening Meghalaya’s economic foundations.
Expressing his gratitude to the Prime Minister for his wishes on Statehood Day, he said, “On behalf of the people of Meghalaya, I conveyed heartfelt gratitude for his warm wishes on Meghalaya Statehood Day,” Sangma said.
Sangma thanked the Prime Minister for recognising Meghalaya’s unique living heritage, including the Living Root Bridge Cultural Landscape.
