Mahabalipuram, 27–28 October 2026: The Meghalaya Legislative Research Forum (MLRF) contributed to the first cohort of the Legislators’ Leadership Programme (LLP), organised by the Office of the Speaker, Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, in collaboration with MLRF. The two-day programme brought together legislators for discussions and expert-led sessions on constitutional values, legislative responsibilities, public health, environmental governance, digital governance and development policy. The initiative aimed to strengthen the capacity of elected representatives to respond to public needs, improve constituency-level development and promote accountable governance.
Bringing Meghalaya’s experiences into the discussions
Meghalaya’s experience featured through sessions highlighting the importance of strengthening governance at the grassroots and adopting an integrated approach to human development.
Mr. Ram Kumar Sathurappan, Director, National Health Mission (NHM), Meghalaya, led a session on village health systems and local bodies, highlighting the role of community institutions and local governance structures in strengthening healthcare delivery.
Dr. Sampath Kumar, IAS, led a session on Early Childhood Development (ECD), drawing attention to the importance of a whole-of-government approach that brings together health, nutrition, care and early learning. The discussion highlighted how coordinated interventions during the early years can contribute to better developmental outcomes for children.
These sessions offered an opportunity to share Meghalaya’s experiences and approaches with legislators, while encouraging wider discussions on how local institutions, public systems and coordinated governance can contribute to development outcomes.
Leadership rooted in accountability and public service
The programme concluded on 28 October with Shri Ronnie V. Lyngdoh, MLA and Government Deputy Chief Whip, Meghalaya Legislative Assembly, attending as Chief Guest for the valedictory session.
Emphasising the responsibility that comes with public office, he called upon legislators to make public service measurable through action, accountability and tangible results. He also highlighted the importance of greater cooperation between Meghalaya and Tamil Nadu and the value of sharing experiences across states.
As part of the concluding session, he presented a live model inspired by Meghalaya’s iconic living root bridges, showcasing the state’s indigenous knowledge, cultural heritage and traditional ecological practices.