Khliehriat, March 22: Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills District has taken a decisive step in addressing substance abuse among adolescents while fostering youth aspirations through the “ia ka Mynried” initiative. Spearheaded by the District Administration and supported by the District Mineral Foundation, the initiative has successfully conducted winter camps across 11 educational institutions, impacting 1,826 students to date.

The latest certification events were held on Tuesday at Iongkaluh for 247 students of St. Peter Secondary School and at Byndihati for 126 students of Sacred Heart Secondary School and 315 students of Byndihati Secondary School. Santa Mary Shylla, Member of Legislative Assembly, Sutnga-Saipung Constituency, attended as the Chief Guest at Sacred Heart Secondary School, Byndihati.

Meghalaya sets a benchmark for the northeast
While many northeastern states grapple with rising substance abuse among youth, Meghalaya has taken a proactive approach, prioritizing empowerment and resilience-building alongside enforcement measures. The state’s intervention under the Drug Reduction Elimination & Action Mission (DREAM) integrates soft skills training with substance abuse prevention, positioning it as a leader in youth development.
Speaking at the event, Santa Mary Shylla, MLA of Sutnga-Saipung Constituency, emphasized the program’s lasting impact. She said, “The winter camps have created a lasting impact in the district as students have received training that can transform their lives. I implore each student to take this as a challenge to be a better person. This winter camp is one of the best things we have done for our students in East Jaintia Hills, and we aim to bring it to more schools. It is our hope, and that of our Deputy Commissioner, that initiatives like this continue to empower our youth to become better students and, more importantly, better human beings.”

Deputy Commissioner of East Jaintia Hills, Shivansh Awasthi, highlighted the initiative’s broader mission. “In addition to soft skills training, a key practice of this programme is to encourage talent recognition in an effort to help young people identify personal strengths and build self-worth. This is closely aligned to our state’s DREAM mission towards providing youth with opportunities and platforms to realise their potential, rather than falling prey to substance abuse. Drug abuse is a major issue, particularly in our district. And as a district, we must build a benchmark in fighting against menaces that hinder youth aspirations and wellbeing. This programme “ia ka Mynried” is for our youth because they are the future of our state, our country and the whole world,” he said.

The initiative is an extension of the Hon’ble Chief Minister’s vision for a drug-free Meghalaya. Under the leadership of the Deputy Commissioner, this vision has been transformed into a structured program that equips young individuals with the skills and mindset needed to make informed choices.

Transforming lives, one student at a time
The camps incorporate storytelling, habit-building, and talent showcases to enhance confidence, public speaking, and emotional intelligence. A key highlight is the Wellbeing Pledge, where students commit to a drug-free life.

Each campus intervention culminated in a certification event at the end of a 20-hour training period. A significant highlight at each of these certification events was the Wellbeing Pledge taken by the programme participants against drugs and substance abuse. On the same day, some of the participants would take to the stage to share their learnings from the programme, while some showcased their talents in front of the audience.

Students have shared compelling testimonials about the program’s impact. GraiousPhawa, Class 8, St. Peter’s Secondary School, said:
“This program has helped me build confidence and understand my emotional and mental health. Learning power stances and coping mechanisms has given me tools to navigate challenges.”
Similarly, Silwillstar Shylla, Class 9, Byndihati Secondary School, shared, “Before this program, I never thought about how I stand or communicate. Now, I feel more confident in speaking and interacting with others.”

Expanding the Reach
The “ia ka Mynried” program has been implemented across 11 schools in the district, including Khliehriat Higher Secondary School, Rymbai Government Secondary School, and Sacred Heart Upper Primary School. Plans are underway to extend it to more institutions, further strengthening Meghalaya’s commitment to youth development.

The District Mineral Foundation (DMF) plays a key role in supporting mining-affected communities through initiatives like ‘ia ka Mynried’.

The initiative is powered by Avenues, North East India’s pioneering life coaching and personal excellence training social enterprise. Headquartered in Meghalaya, Avenues has been committed for over 22 years to creating, initiating, and deploying high-impact interventions that contribute to wellbeing, confidence, and personal growth.

Also Read: Angling tourism in Garo Hills drives economic growth and social change

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