Shillong, Nov 21: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Friday said that investments made in five major concerts held in 2024 generated an estimated ₹133 crore for the local economy, directly benefiting a wide spectrum of stakeholders—from homestay owners and taxi operators to small shopkeepers.
Sangma made the remark while participating in the 5th Shillong Literary Festival at the iconic Ward’s Lake.
Highlighting the strong “economic multiplier effect,” the Chief Minister said that money spent on such events circulates multiple times within the local ecosystem, significantly boosting the state’s Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP).
To further strengthen Shillong’s brand identity, the government has sanctioned ₹50 crore—an initial ₹20 crore followed by an additional ₹30 crore—for the complete beautification and infrastructure upgrade of Ward’s Lake.
Sangma articulated a broader vision connecting the growth of the literary festival to Meghalaya’s long-term economic and tourism strategy. He reflected on the festival’s evolution from a “small gathering” into a major platform, noting that while local people have the passion and talent for storytelling, they previously lacked opportunities to showcase their work.
He added that the administration is now bridging this gap by “bringing established authors from outside” to inspire local youth to “start the process of writing.”
“Shillong is today being marketed not just as a rock capital. We are working towards expanding into sports, and we are also aiming to make this a literary or arts capital of the country,” Sangma said.
Emphasizing that the state’s biggest competitive advantage lies in the “unique energy” of its youth, he noted, “It’s about the responsiveness that comes from our youngsters, from our people. It’s what we call passion.” He reaffirmed, “I strongly believe we have everything it takes to become the best in the country, and therefore we will target that.”
The Chief Minister underscored that these initiatives are designed to channel the energy of the youth, who make up 50% of the state’s population. He cited the success of the Meghalaya Grassroots Music Project (MGMP), which now supports over 7,000 artists and positively impacts nearly 30,000 young people.
To further foster intellectual growth, Sangma announced the expansion of the Chief Minister’s Research Grant to support 75 scholars this year, along with the formation of a dedicated research team to conduct a two-year study on the linguistic, cultural, and genetic roots of the Khasi, Jaintia, and Garo tribes.
Tourism Minister Timothy Shira said the festival has helped transform Meghalaya into a sought-after destination for music lovers while significantly boosting tourism and allied sectors such as food and hospitality.
“At the heart of this cultural richness are the Khasi, Garo, and Jaintia tribes. Festivals like Shad Suk Mynsiem, Wangala, and Behdeinkhlam offer immersive glimpses into our heritage. The Shillong Literary Festival—combining literature, music, arts, and local cuisine—reflects the spirit of Meghalaya,” he said.
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