TURA: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma has urged upon the youth of the state to dream big and not be afraid to take risks as he encouraged them to become entrepreneurs and help in nation building.
The new chief Minister of the state highlighted the power of the youth during a felicitation organised for him and his legislators by the Sacred Heart Shrine parish in Tura on Sunday afternoon.
The chief minister together with home ministerJames Pangsang K Sangma along with the two legislators from Tura, Thomas A Sangma and Agatha K Sangma, were feted by the parishioners led by Bishop of Tura Rt Rev Andrew R Marak.
In his address, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma encouraged the youth to tap the huge potential in entrepreneurship available in the state.
“Our government is coming out with a startup policy that will target the youth for entrepreneurship. One must dare to dream big and be unafraid to take risks” said Conrad Sangma.
He narrated a success story of entrepreneurship by a youth from Khasi Hills who left his job in the United States to return home and start his own venture.
The young man began Apiculture, breeding bees for production of honey and bee wax.
“Today his produce is exported to Germany and Dubai because there is a very high demand for organic honey from Meghalaya owing to its purity,” pointed out the chief minister.
Speaking about the challenges facing the state, the chief minister said revenue generation is a challenge in comparison to bigger States.
“This is a problem not just of this government but previous governments too.”
Detailing some of the challenges before his government he mentioned about clearing the latest 5th pay commission to government employees which alone would require a whopping 5800 crores.
“It is a daunting task which this government is committed to fulfilling,” said the chief minister.
He also informed that his government has set a target of electrifying 1,30,000 households in the state within one year.
The chief minister also recalled with immense gratitude the contributions of the church and it’s missionaries in providing education and healthcare to the people of Garo Hills mentioning about his late father, P A Sangma, who as a young boy in the village was taken under the care of missionaries.
Meghalaya Home Minister James Pangsang K Sangma also addressed the gathering dedicating the felicitation programme to two Italian missionaries, Rev. Anthony Bucceri and Batista Busolin, for their contribution to Garo Hills during their lifetime of missionary work.
On rising crimes against women and children, the home minister said the government welcomed everyone’s support and was keen to involve all denominations and groups as stakeholders to tackle the challenges facing society.
Bishop Andrew in his address appealed to the people to be responsible citizens and utilise government schemes properly. He also advised the new government to do good for all of society.
