TURA : The Meghalaya Government is set to recognise outstanding individuals from different sectors every month, with Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma announcing that the state’s “Achiever of the Month” initiative will now be expanded beyond entrepreneurship.
Speaking at the Chief Minister’s Meghalaya Grassroots Music Programme (CM-MGMP) Achiever of the Month event in Tura on Tuesday, Conrad said every month a different government department will identify and honour individuals who have made a mark in their respective fields.
The music sector was chosen to launch the expanded initiative, while future editions will recognise achievers in areas such as sports and other departments. “We started this programme to encourage and recognise people doing something exceptional. Now we want to extend that recognition to many more sectors so that good work doesn’t go unnoticed,” the Chief Minister said. Conrad said recognising achievers is not only about celebrating individuals but also about encouraging others to dream bigger and pursue their own ideas.
Turning to the music sector, he described music as one of Meghalaya’s strongest identities and said the government wants local artists to move beyond cover songs by creating more original music rooted in the state’s culture. “Your own songs are what people will remember you for. That’s how you build your identity. We want Meghalaya’s music to reach bigger audiences while keeping its own character,” he said.
The Chief Minister also announced that major festivals, including the Cherry Blossom Festival, will have dedicated space for original performances by local musicians. Sharing the government’s long-term plans, Conrad said a large performing arena with a capacity of 40,000 to 50,000 people is coming up at the upcoming Knowledge City in Mawkynrew. He also spoke about plans for a music-themed hotel featuring live performances, a music institute in Tura, and a film city and film institute in Shillong.
He further stressed that the music industry needs more than talented singers and bands. “Artists create the music, but the industry also needs managers, studio owners, event organisers and entrepreneurs. That’s how we can build a complete music ecosystem,” he said, adding that Meghalaya should invest in world-class recording studios and professional training.
The programme also recognised Chegim Durama, a 25-year-old singer-songwriter from Tura, as the CM-MGMP Achiever of the Month. Durama credited the government programme for helping him invest in music production equipment and continue pursuing his career as an independent artist.
The event also marked the government’s preparations for CM-MGMP Season 4, which is expected to place greater emphasis on original music, artist training, transparent scheduling and wider national and international exposure for musicians.