Shillong, June 30: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Tuesday launched the “Achiever of the Month” programme, a flagship initiative aimed at recognising outstanding individuals from diverse sectors while promoting entrepreneurship and innovation across the state.
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| Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma presents an 'Achiever of the Month' award to an entrepreneur during the launch of the flagship initiative aimed at promoting entrepreneurship, innovation and sustainable livelihoods across the state. (DIPR Meghalaya) |
The initiative seeks to create a platform where achievers can share their success stories, inspire aspiring entrepreneurs, and demonstrate how government support and individual determination can work together to drive economic growth and sustainable livelihoods.
Launching the programme in Shillong, the Chief Minister said entrepreneurship is the key to transforming Meghalaya's economy and creating long-term employment opportunities. While acknowledging the government's role in creating enabling policies, infrastructure and financial support, he stressed that real economic growth ultimately depends on the efforts of entrepreneurs.
"Government creates the base, but it is entrepreneurship that makes the economy take off," Sangma said. "Entrepreneurship is the bedrock of sustainable livelihood generation and economic progress."
Explaining the vision behind the initiative, the Chief Minister said the programme is intended to bring inspiring stories from different sectors into the public domain, encouraging more people to pursue innovation and enterprise.
"We want to share your stories with the world. What may seem simple to you is truly inspiring for others," he remarked, adding that many successful entrepreneurs began with limited resources but achieved remarkable results through hard work, perseverance and determination.
As part of the initiative, Sangma announced that the entire month of July will be dedicated to entrepreneurs, during which the government will organise storytelling sessions, interactive engagements, and extensive social media campaigns to highlight entrepreneurial journeys from across Meghalaya.
The event featured entrepreneurs from different parts of the state who shared their personal experiences, speaking about the challenges they faced while establishing their businesses and the determination required to overcome setbacks. Many described how government initiatives had helped them expand their ventures and thanked the Chief Minister for introducing a programme that publicly recognises entrepreneurs and motivates others to pursue similar paths.
Addressing the gathering, Sangma acknowledged that entrepreneurship is often accompanied by uncertainty and hardship.
"Entrepreneurship is not easy. It comes with sleepless nights, uncertainty and challenges. But it is passion and determination that define an entrepreneur," he said.
Encouraging young people to pursue their dreams despite obstacles, the Chief Minister urged them to remain confident in their abilities.
"Do not let anyone tell you that you cannot succeed. It is your responsibility to prove them wrong," he said.
Highlighting the government's broader vision, Sangma noted that entrepreneurship extends far beyond traditional business and commerce. He pointed out that sectors such as sports, agriculture, music, tourism, handicrafts and creative industries also offer significant opportunities for enterprise and job creation.
He cited several government initiatives supporting farmers, artists, athletes and rural entrepreneurs, saying these efforts are helping create new income opportunities while strengthening Meghalaya's local economy.
The Chief Minister also praised the role of PRIME (Promotion and Incubation of Market-driven Enterprises), describing it as one of the state's most successful entrepreneurship initiatives. He said PRIME's outreach to rural communities has enabled many first-generation entrepreneurs to transform small local businesses into enterprises that now supply products to major markets across the country.
Sharing examples of businesses that have grown from modest beginnings, Sangma said these success stories demonstrate the immense entrepreneurial potential that exists in Meghalaya when people receive the right guidance, mentorship and financial support.
Following the launch, the Chief Minister interacted with entrepreneurs, discussing their ideas for expanding their businesses and listening to suggestions on how the government could further strengthen the state's entrepreneurial ecosystem. Participants sought continued policy support, improved market access, financial assistance and mentorship to help scale their enterprises.
A total of 50 entrepreneurs from different districts of Meghalaya were honoured during the inaugural programme in recognition of their achievements and contributions to the state's economy.
The government announced that the "Achiever of the Month" programme will continue throughout the year, featuring achievers from sectors including sports, agriculture, education, innovation, arts and public service. The initiative aims to create a statewide culture of recognition, innovation and entrepreneurship by showcasing role models whose journeys can inspire future generations.
Officials said the programme aligns with the state's long-term vision of building a resilient, innovation-driven economy powered by local talent, creativity and enterprise. By celebrating individual achievements and encouraging entrepreneurial thinking, the government hopes to create more opportunities for youth, strengthen livelihoods and position Meghalaya as a hub of innovation and inclusive economic growth.
