Entrepreneurs acknowledge PRIME Meghalaya role in their success
Shillong, Aug 16: The Lok Bhavan reverberated with celebrations of 80th Independence Day for the second day on Sunday with cultural performances and enterprise showcases themed ‘Colors of India’ drawing people from all walks of life.
Stalls by local farmers, artisans and entrepreneurs recorded steady footfall and strong sales, turning the exhibition zone the main attraction of the day.
The initiative taken in partnership with PRIME Meghalaya, Meghalaya State Agriculture Marketing Board, MEGNOLIA, Department of Arts and Culture and other state agencies, aimed at strengthening livelihoods while highlighting the state’s agricultural and artisanal heritage.
Visitors explored dedicated showcases featuring Meghalaya Collectives, the Mushroom Development Centre, Florish Meghalaya Orchid Garden and Chrysanthemum Farms.
Groups such as Indigenous Innovations of Meghalaya and the Women’s Group & Handicrafts Multi-Purpose Co-operative Society also displayed traditional crafts alongside emerging grassroots products.
Entrepreneurs reported significant business on the occasion. Polison D. Momin of Nokma Ice Creams, a cooperative society launched in 2024 with support from the Meghalaya Basin Management Agency, said the Lok Bhavan platform helped introduce its local jackfruit and vanilla flavours to a wider audience.
“We managed to sell out more than 3,000 units on 15 August 2026,” Momin said, adding that sales crossed Rs 1 lakh.
Tengchira A. Sangma, founder of Tengchi Brave Stitch from South Garo Hills, said participating for the first time at Lok Bhavan during Independence Day was a milestone.
A winner of the PRIME E-Championship 2025 with Rs 2-lakh business grant, Tengchira credited PRIME Meghalaya for helping scale her venture.
Her stall recorded Rs 25,000 in sales in a single day.
“It was special to set up a stall at Lok Bhavan for the first time during the Independence Day celebrations,” Sangma said.
For stone carver Darsing Syiemlieh from Nongstoin, Khlieh Mawlieh, the event marked progress in a craft he has pursued since 1996. After being incubated by PRIME Meghalaya in 2023, he said orders increased and his work reached new markets.
“I want to thank the Chief Minister of Meghalaya and PRIME Meghalaya for their support. Because of their encouragement, we as artists are finally realising our dreams,” Syiemlieh said.
The day also featured a mix of cultural performances. The Karnataka Sangha from Mandya presented “Devi Mahima, The Glory of Nari Shakti”, followed by a Bharatanatyam rendition of “Vande Mataram” by Prajna Kashyap from Mysore.
Traditional dances from Khasi, Jaintia and Garo communities were performed, alongside the Bhawai Dance and “Kesariya Balam” by the West Zone Cultural Centre, Udaipur, and a Kashmiri dance organised by the Jammu & Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture & Languages.
With its combination of enterprise and culture, the second day of ‘Colors of India’ brought together local livelihood stories and India’s diverse traditions under one roof at Lok Bhavan.
