In a personal reflection on leadership, she said, “No flamboyance. Be true to yourself. These aren’t rules, they’re part of who I am. It helps me sleep in peace every night.”
Shillong, July 17: It was a rare occasion for Meghalaya to host the country’s finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman for four days recently, having her toured different parts of the state, attended various programmes and met people at different levels, including village leaders and self-help groups. One of them was a unique conversation with award-winning entrepreneur and noted speaker Mark Laitflang Stone at iconic Wards Lake in Shillong.
The country’s second finance minister, after Indira Gandhi, during her conversation with the self-made entrepreneur in soft-skill sector commended the resilience and confidence of youth in the region.
True strength of the North East lies not in resources alone, but in the mindset of its young people, she said.
“Any hindrance or challenge is not in the youth’s mind. The youth of the North East don’t think they are one less. They are enterprising, eager to push ahead, and don’t see their geography as a limitation. What they need is opportunity closer to home, not because they’re lacking, but because they are ready. Their confidence is not conditional on where they come from,” she said.
Asserting that the spirit of inclusivity is at the heart of India’s development agenda, Sitharaman highlighted how states like Meghalaya are already making meaningful contributions to the national vision of a Vikshit Bharat.
Meanwhile, she lauded the leadership of chief minister Conrad K Sangma, particularly mentioning the flagship PRIME Meghalaya initiative as driving youth entrepreneurship and grassroots innovation.
“It’s beautifully institutionalised. The chief minister explained how the framework was built, it brings stakeholders together and builds momentum. Those who have benefitted must step forward as brand ambassadors, not just for PRIME but for the larger message that opportunity exists and youth must leap forward,” she said.
In a personal reflection on leadership, she said, “No flamboyance. Be true to yourself. These aren’t rules, they’re part of who I am. It helps me sleep in peace every night.”
While discussing the leadership challenges of COVID-19 pandemic, she emphasised that listening, whether through calls, emails, or field reports, was the most powerful tool in shaping responsive policy.
“You have to build solutions by listening to the people.”
Drawing from her own early experiences in education, including her involvement in setting up an inclusive school in Hyderabad, Sitharaman spoke about how those values continue to guide her public service.
Towards the end of the conversation, the union minister offered a parting message that has since resonated widely online: “You live your moment today for a better tomorrow. But one day, you must look back.”
The interviewer Mark Laitflang Stone is the founder and chief executive of Avenues, a pioneering soft-skills enterprise of Meghalaya and North East.
