In a significant event aimed at fostering youth empowerment and community development, adolescents in Meghalaya had the unique opportunity to engage directly with Chief Minister Shri Conrad K. Sangma during the inauguration of the MPOWER Contextualisation Workshop. Held in Tura, West Garo Hills District, the three-day workshop brings together students, educators, and community leaders to discuss critical issues impacting the youth, such as educational challenges, career opportunities, and personal aspirations.
During the opening session, students from both in-school and out-of-school groups shared their stories, highlighting challenges like limited subject choices, poor learning outcomes, and the lack of support for non-academic pursuits. The Chief Minister listened intently and addressed these concerns with empathy and focused on practical solutions. In his remarks, he emphasized the importance of activity-based learning and cultural integration into the curriculum, saying, “Empowerment begins when a child is conceived,” and stressing the need for holistic development from early childhood.
The Chief Minister’s vision for Meghalaya’s youth includes more than just academic growth. He called for including private schools in government initiatives and proposed expanding regional, national, and international exchange programs to provide broader educational opportunities. Additionally, he recommended that the efforts underway be comprehensively documented, serving as a model for other states to follow.
This workshop is part of the Meghalaya Programme for Adolescent Wellbeing, Empowerment, and Resilience (MPOWER), an initiative by the Planning Department in collaboration with the Magic Bus India Foundation. The workshop’s goal is to contextualize an activity-based curriculum that is culturally relevant to Meghalaya’s indigenous communities. Over the next three days, participants will explore topics like Life Skills Education, Career Awareness, and Foundational Literacy and Numeracy, with a strong focus on equipping adolescents for a successful future.
In his keynote address, Chief Minister Sangma also highlighted the government’s commitment to improving the lives of its youth. He spoke about the success of initiatives such as the MOTHER programme, which provides vehicles for pregnant women in remote areas to ensure safe deliveries, and how the use of real-time data helps guide targeted interventions. These efforts, he said, reflect the government’s ongoing work to prioritize the well-being of children and adolescents across Meghalaya.
Shri Sampath Kumar, IAS, Development Commissioner and Principal Secretary, also spoke at the event, stressing the importance of investing in three critical stages of life—early childhood, adolescence, and youth. He pointed out that nearly 49% of Meghalaya’s population is under the age of 14, making it vital to create strong foundations for the state’s younger generation. He also emphasized the importance of multi-sectoral collaboration among government departments, NGOs, and community organizations to create a supportive environment for youth to thrive.
The Magic Bus India Foundation, represented by Ms. Dhanashri Brahme, Chief of Programmes, also played a key role in the workshop. Ms. Brahme highlighted the shared vision of MPOWER and Magic Bus in empowering youth through experiential learning. Programs like music, art, and sports are integral to the initiative, as they provide opportunities for self-expression, empathy, and personal growth among young people.
MPOWER aims to address the pressing challenges faced by Meghalaya’s youth, including high rates of teenage pregnancy, mental health concerns, substance abuse, and low educational attainment, particularly in STEM fields. By providing young people with the skills they need to succeed in life and work, the government hopes to create a brighter, more sustainable future for Meghalaya.
The workshop, which began today, has drawn participants from across West Garo Hills and beyond. Approximately 50 adolescents are taking part in discussions, along with representatives from the Education Department, Sports & Youth Affairs, and local community organizations.
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Key attendees include Shri Sampath Kumar, Shri Jagdish Chelani, Deputy Commissioner of West Garo Hills, and Shri R.T.K. Sangma, Joint Director of the Education Department, along with various other local leaders and representatives from the Chief Minister’s Youth Centre (CMYC), supported by Sauramandala Foundation and Project DEFY.
Through this workshop, the government hopes to build a supportive and inclusive environment for the state’s youth, ensuring they have the tools and opportunities to unlock their full potential.