State-level Chief Minister’s Youth Engagement Programme launched
Shillong, Dec 2: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Tuesday said foundation for Meghalaya’s growth has been laid in the past few years and the state is now in a transformational stage.
“These programs that we are now having with the youth are transformational programmes, and after this we will step into the next stage where we will reap the benefits of that final growth,” Sangma said while narrating the state’s growth and the government’s vision during inauguration of a state-level Chief Minister’s Youth Engagement Programme held at North Eastern Hills University (NEHU).
Altogether 24 winners of the state-level programme will be visiting Malaysia and Philippines while the runner-ups will be visiting different locations in the country for youth-related activities and engagement.
Underlining the importance of exposure visits for the youth, the Chief Minister said, “Such exposures and engagements among the youth from different parts of the state and taking it to the next level, from different parts of the country and the world will have a meaningful impact in the lives of our youth.”
He pointed out that the engagement programme goes beyond just an exchange programme.
“We have to invest in the youth, in your ideas and thought processes because the youth has an important role in achieving the billion-dollar economy that we are aspiring for,” he stated.
He also said that while government is working on the different opportunities in different sectors to achieve the billion-dollar economy there is also a need to ensure equity and commitments to fulfil so that everybody is a part of the growth story.
Speaking about the 70,000 youth who will enter into the workforce every year the Chief Minister said while this is a great human resource asset for the state there is a challenge of providing jobs adding, “The entire vision is also driven to ensure that the economy grows to that level to be able to create livelihoods and opportunities for all.”
He also comprehensively highlighted programmes like DREAM, Early Childhood Development Program, Skilling and Entrepreneurship programs, CM Elevate, YESS Meghalaya, Hello Meghalaya and other youth related programmes and schemes in the larger interest of the youth who had converged for the state level youth engagement programme.
He urged the youth to make the best out of the programme where the youth will have an opportunity to meet, interact, share and understand each one another fostering unity and harmony among different tribes and communities leading the state forward in unity and strength.
Sports & Youth Affairs Wailadmiki Shylla said such programmes are crucial not only for integration at the international or national level but also for integration within the state.
