Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 692/18

YOUNG LEADERS CONNECT SHILLONG

The Shillong Edition of the Young Leaders Connect (YLC) with the theme Made in Northeast is underway in the city. Speaking at the inaugural session of the two day conclave Meghalaya Chief Minister, Shri Conrad K Sangma stated the need for a collective effort from all stakeholders to tackle the issues concerning the North Eastern States of India in order to put the region in the pedestal of growth and development. “Though we come from diverse backgrounds when it comes to issues concerning our region we must all take a unified approach”, the Chief Minister said. Terming entrepreneurship as the key to the economic progress of the region the Chief Minister spoke at length about the various initiatives of the Meghalaya Government to support the innovative entrepreneurs of the State. “We have initiated the Entrepreneurship of the Month program wherein selected entrepreneurs of the State will be given support and guidance by the Meghalaya Institute of Entrepreneurship. We have also decided to start incubation centres in three different locations in the State which will provide a space for entrepreneurs from different fields to connect and link with other entrepreneurs”, he added. Speaking of his recent visit to France to attend the Salon International de I’Agroalimentaire (SIAL) the world’s largest food innovation exhibition, the Chief Minister also highlighted the potential of the North Eastern region to develop food processing industries.

Addressing the gathering, Assam MP, Shri Gaurav Gogoi, stressed the need to connect, share and emulate the best ideas to fuel innovation and creativity among the youth. “We cannot be complacent, we need to be productive and each and everyone of us have a responsibility towards our community and our people. People’s perception of our region should be in sync with contemporary North East which young, enterprising and innovative”, he added. Shri Naveen Verma, Secretary Ministry of DONER, spoke on the need for greater cooperation among the states in order create a conducive atmosphere to achieve goals and objectives beneficial to the region in a speedy manner. “In sectors such as tourism we need to market the North East as a collective whole and not as separate units”, he added.

The opening address was delivered by Shri Bhaichung Bhutia, Chair YLC, who apprised the gathering that the YLC was started in 2011 with an “idea to bring all the young achievers of the North East under one platform”. Others who spoke at the inaugural session were Hekani Jakhalu, Chair YLC, Governing Council, YouthNet, and Shri Larsing Ming Sawyan, Managing Director, Centre Point Group of enterprise and Co-Chair of the YLC-6.