Tura, Oct 23: Students from schools across Meghalaya gathered in Tura today for the SPARK Meghalaya State Summit ‘26, a celebration of talent, confidence and kindness organised by the Department of Education, Government of Meghalaya, at the District Auditorium. Many of the young participants were visiting Tura for the first time.
Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma was the Chief Guest.
SPARK stands for School Programmes in Articulation, Resilience and Kindness. The event was also attended by officials of the district administration and the Education Department, members of the jury, principals, teachers, students and youth from different districts.
Recalling last year’s summit in Shillong, the Chief Minister said he had suggested to the SPARK team that this year’s edition be held in Tura.
“The reason is that it is important for youngsters to share and experience the true richness of the state: its diversity, cultures, language, land, beauty, food and music. The journey and stay are part of the experience they will carry forever.”
He was pleased to learn that many students were visiting Tura for the first time. “That is precisely the point. The summit is giving opportunity for youth to interact, meet and understand different cultures and flavours of the people,” he said.
The Chief Minister said he would try to watch some of the summit’s events. He told participants that every individual is unique and has a talent.
“Everybody has potential and you have already won by being here.”
He said programmes like SPARK aim to improve confidence, build better human beings, instil life values and create friendships. He advised young people to focus on themselves and their self-growth.
SPARK, he added, goes beyond this one programme. It can be seen in music, sports, entrepreneurship, dance and painting. “This programme is at the heart of promoting talent and giving confidence to say ‘I will try’,” he said.
Calling the youth the state’s greatest strength, the Chief Minister said the government must channel their energy productively. It should give them opportunities and direction so they become a constructive force for the state and the country.
Highlighting the government’s youth-centric initiatives, he said that through MGMP, about 8,000 artists are “earning and reinvesting” while doing what they love, having performed more than 20,000 shows across the state, the country and the world, including in Japan and Germany, with government support. He also spoke about the CM Elevate programme and investments in the sports sector.
Congratulating the Education Department, he said many of Meghalaya’s programmes are being replicated at the national level. Spending on such programmes, he said, is “not expenditure but an investment” that impacts generations.
“Students here will create spark in their locality among brothers, sisters and friends, a multiplier effect. It is not spark happening here, it is spark spreading.”
The other highlights of the summit were the release of the SPARK Outcomes Report 2026, cultural performances, testimonials by students and teachers, and the felicitation of District SPARK Stars.
