14,000 youth take part in CMYEP across 56 blocks in state
Shillong, Oct 16: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma has called for more engagements among the youth within the state, nationally and internationally and also better engagements among the youth and the society.
He was addressing the valedictory function of State Level 2nd Edition of Chief Minister’s Youth Engagement Program (CMYEP) 2026 at Lariti Auditorium Shillong on Friday.
The Chief Minister underscored the need for more youth engagement events while observing the trend of the last two Meghalaya Games.
Mentioning that CMYEP connects youth from every block and exposes them to the rest of India and the world, the Chief Minister stressed that the youth should engage and involve themselves with the society as well.
“The youth should engage with our farmers, self-help groups, volunteer at the anganwadi centres, hospitals, old age homes and engage with our elders, farmers, children, the society and the community,” he said.
Sangma said the programme began in 2013 as the Youth Exchange Programme with a purpose of travel, cultural exchange, skill-building and networking.
It was relaunched in 2025 as CMYEP with an aim was to transform a selective exchange into a mass youth programme with a larger and enhanced budget.
“Previously limited to district headquarters, it now reaches all 56 blocks, giving youth from remote villages the same pathway as those from district headquarters,” he informed.
During CMYP 2026, around 14,000 youth took part in various competitions and events held across 56 blocks in the state. With 200 from each of 12 districts, 2,400 youth took part at district level while 1,125 progressed to the State level. Around 480 youth received national exposure and 48 received international exposure.
CMYEP comprises 13 activities, including eight competitive and five non-competitive events, accommodating varied talents and interests.
The Chief Minister also threw light on the government’s investment on the youth population, saying, “A young population becomes a demographic dividend only through investment.”
“The Government is creating opportunities for youth across sectors. Investments in sports, the creative economy, music, entrepreneurship, arts, culture and youth mobilisation aim to build a future-ready, innovative and productive society,” he said.
Lauding the Sports & Youth Affairs Department and its officials on the success of the CMYEP he said, “It requires passion, a belief and determination to convert a thought process into a vision and a goal into reality.”
The Chief Minister urged the participants to believe in themselves and also to believe in each other working together to take the state and the country forward, keeping the mind open to the endless possibilities that are there in the world.
“These programmes that we have, are to ensure that you push yourselves,” he said and also assured that the CMYEP will be bigger and enhanced at the grassroots.
Prizes were also distributed by the Chief Minister to the winners of some of the competitions held during the event.
Performances by the winning participants were the other highlights of the occasion.
