Shillong, Apr 5: Chief minister Conrad K Sangma has urged young graduates to approach life as a “marathon” in order to avoid distractions.
“This is a marathon. Don’t allow anything to distract you,” he said while addressing the 16th convocation at IIM Shillong on Friday.
Recalling his own experiences about the uncertainty in life, he said, “I remember standing at my own graduation, unsure of what to do next. But one thing I have learned along the way is that life is not about a single moment or event—it’s about the entire journey.”
The chief minister also recounted his first electoral defeat and how he transformed failure into motivation to achieve success.
“I lost my first election, but I learned from my failures. Eventually, I won and became an MP, then an MLA, then Finance Minister, and today, the Chief Minister,” he said.
“The most important decisions in life are often the hardest ones. But when you follow your heart and do what you truly believe in, the journey becomes meaningful,” he added.
Elaborating on Meghalaya’s economic progress, he said, “Our GDP has grown from ₹9,000 crore to over ₹30,000 crore in just three years. Investments have tripled, and government expenditure is now being channelled into high-impact sectors that drive meaningful change.”
Exhorting the graduates to embrace adaptability and entrepreneurship, he said, “The greatest minds are not just those who work hard and are intelligent—it is those who embrace challenges and create opportunities.”
On leadership and being human, he said, “No matter how intelligent you are or which institute you graduate from, at the end of the day, it is the human in you that truly matters. A simple smile or a kind gesture can change a person’s life.”
He also presented medals to meritorious students.
Recalling his early career days after graduating from The Wharton School, he said, “Upon returning to Meghalaya, I spent a month studying the state’s policies and realized they were vastly different from those of other nations that were progressing at a much faster pace. My academic research had focused on governance and economic facilitation, and 15 years later, as Chief Minister, I found myself implementing many of the ideas from my dissertation.”
He said that his study emphasized that the government’s role should be minimal but highly facilitative, ensuring a smooth process for economic growth. “It highlighted the importance of entrepreneurship in driving an economy and the necessity of creating an enabling ecosystem for entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurship exists at various levels—whether it’s a large-scale enterprise, a small food processing unit, or even a cooperative group. The entrepreneurial spirit is what truly matters,” he said.
He told the gathering that his ideas, his learning during his business school has shaped into policies, which he is implementing. “My message to you is this — never underestimate the value of the conversations, experiences, and exposure you gain in a premier institution like IIM Shillong. The knowledge you acquire here may hold immense significance in your future, just as it did for me,” he added.
Honeywell India president Ashish Modi; IIM Shillong Board of Governors chairman Shishir Kumar Bajoria; and IIM Shillong director Prof DP Goyal also addressed the occasion.
