SHILLONG: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma has launched the coffee-table book and documentary film on Aspire Meghalaya, a programme designed to enhance well-being and improve soft skills of tribal youth of the state, in a glittering function marking the culmination of the first Entrepreneurship and Startup Summit 2020 held on Tuesday.
Launched in 2019, Aspire Meghalaya is India’s first soft skills and well-being programme for tribal youth and is set to support them in meeting the challenges of three gaps that are hindering their employability: lack of clarity on their aspirations; underdeveloped communication skills; and lack of emotional resilience to face challenges at workplaces and in their relationships.
The programme was initiated by the state government and was executed by AVENUES, a life-coaching social enterprise.
The objective of the programme was to improve employability for the youth and empower them with employable soft skills, encourage talent identification and aspiration recognition at an early age.
Conrad said that Aspire Meghalaya has set new benchmark as far as empowering the tribal youth of the region.
He said that he will engage with Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India, and would apprise them that similar programmes should be held in different tribal pockets of the country.
“Tribal youth have no access to opportunities and facilities to improve their confidence and talents. A programme like Aspire Meghalaya will give wings to their ideas, thoughts and vision and will allow them to move forward in life,” the chief minister said.
He lauded the effort of AVENUES and its founder Mark Laitflang Stone for his commitment and dedication to work with the youth and ensure that their talents and skills are recognised and given a platform to shine.
“I have been clear since day 1 that our youth are very talented, inspired and really want to achieve varied feats, but face hurdles and end up feeling they cannot cross. Aspire Meghalaya has become the effort to help them cross over barriers. Here, we are looking at the individual and delving into their mindset and ensuring that they truly believe in themselves,” Conrad exhorted.
Mark said, “The programme builds upon the pillars of mindsets, emotions, communication, connection and recognises talent and aspirations”.
Participants of Aspire Meghalaya have shared positive feedback on their time with the programme.
Theimon Dkhar from Jaintia Eastern College, East Jaintia Hills, said, “We have been guided on how to achieve our goals and how to prepare ourselves in certain professional situations. We have been taught about values of trust, respect and courage and we have been supported to be brave and to face our fears”.
