By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Even as a large part of Garo Hills is reeling under various militant activities, there are youths who believe that the brush can be a better alternative replacing arms.
High school dropout, unemployment and societal stigma may be some of the reasons for the rise in militant activities in Garo Hills but a change can be seen with many youths taking the artistic route to express their feeling, besides showcasing the bundled creativity.
Worried with the rising militancy in the region, these youth are adopting different paths of sustainability and one such is the route of art.
These artists were in Shillong to participate in the week long Thohshun Art Camp organized by the Indian Council for Cultural Relation.
One of the young artists of the region, Daniel M Marak, who considers art as the best way to engage one self and divert attention from the rising anti-social elements, said, “Most of the time, youths in Garo Hills are misled by the militants into joining their organization but art can certainly bring a transformation as it enables people to look at life differently.”
It is an open fact that many citizens have been killed and kidnapped in Garo Hills in the past few years keeping aside the plague of extortion and threat which is a common trend in Garo Hills. The artists are of the view that a career in the field of creative arts can give the youths a proper direction in life.
Garo Hills has been reeling under militancy and the noble route taken by the youths can indeed make a difference, felt an observer.