SHILLONG, Dec 14: Top-10 state stars have emerged from the Aspire Meghalaya State Summit 2022 after scores of events were organised across the state in the past few months.
According to a statement, the culmination programme of Aspire Meghalaya State Summit 2022 was on Tuesday organised at Shillong International Centre for Performing Arts & Culture (SICPAC), which was attended by Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, over 1,500 students from across the state, teachers, parents, among others.
During the programme, 36 talents from across a diverse range of talent spaces such as singing, dance, contemporary performances, musical instruments, art & craft and sustainable innovation, took the stage to represent their schools and respective districts, and showcased their talents.
“These talents emerged from the State’s largest Soft Skills and Talent Identification programme under the Aspire Meghalaya initiative, from a pool of over 13,000 youths and, subsequently, 348 talents who represented 62 partner campuses at talent events held in their respective districts in the months of October and November,” the statement said, adding that the 36 talents, as part of their preparation for the State Summit, were provided with talent mentorship sessions from renowned artists, including from Meghalaya’s fusion rock band Summersalt.
Following extensive number of events, top-10 Aspire State Stars have been identified. They are Fiuberth Ch Momin (Art & Craft), a class 11 student of Captain Williamson Memorial Government College, South Garo Hills; Fastrossing Kharsyntiew and PynshaiborWahlang (Sustainable Innovation) class 12 students of Sibsingh Memorial Government Higher Secondary School, West Khasi Hills; Excellency Turnia (Musical Instrument), a first semester student of SngapSyiem College, South West Khasi Hills; Jiovanni Nongrum (Singing) a fifth semester student of Nongstoin College, West Khasi Hills; Gavy Jones Lyngdoh Marshillong (Dance) a fifth semester student of Nongstoin College, West Khasi Hills; Wadamika Phalangki (Singing) a class 12 student of Government Girls’ Higher Secondary School, Jowai, West Jaintia Hills; Annyzza Gratel Lyngdoh (Singing) a third semester student of Ri-Bhoi College; and Anastacia Sun (Singing) a class 11 student of Kynshi Higher Secondary School, Eastern West Khasi Hills.
The top-3 Aspire State Stars, on the other hand, include First Colour Lathong (Musical Instruments), a class 12 student of St. Dominic Higher Secondary School, Mookyndeng, West Jaintia Hills; Rida L Nonglait (Singing), a class 9 student of Kynshi Higher Secondary School, Kynshi, Eastern West Khasi Hills and PhibalariThongni (Dance), a class 9 student of St. Mary’s Higher Secondary School, Rangblang, South West Khasi Hills.
During the culmination programme, the Meghalaya Youth Survey 2022 Study was also released by Director of Sports & Youth Affairs department WAM Booth in the presence of Joint Secretary of Sports & Youth Affairs department SR Marak and Zonal Director of Indian Council for Cultural Relations, North-East India, Dr N Munish Singh.
“Over 300 campuses participated in the youth survey through the support of over 500 teachers state-wide. The study released today was reviewed by the APJ Abdul Kalam Centre for Policy, Research & Analysis, IIM Shillong,” the statement said.
Addressing the gathering, the chief minister said, “I believe that everybody is special. But many of our youths go through their lifetimes without realising their true potential. Sometimes even if they know what they are good at, they don’t get the opportunity to display their talents, pursue their dreams and excel in their God-given talents.”
Conrad also said the youths of Meghalaya need to be directed and their energies channelised in the right way. “Programmes like Aspire are the small but important steps that we are taking as the state government in order to ensure that we are able to provide our youth with the best opportunities that they deserve,” he added.
The chief minister went on to say that the youths are India’s biggest strength and biggest challenge, and what matters is how they are taken care of.
“It is upon the government and all community leaders from parents to teachers, traditional and religious leaders to ensure that we are able to channelise our youth’s energy into the most constructive force that will take our state and country forward. Aspire Meghalaya programme is part of that big picture and I am happy that we have seen such great talents today. We intend to not only identify these talents, but promote them and take them forward,” he said.
The programme also saw debut performance of the Aspire Meghalaya Anthem by the Aspire District Stars featuring Summersalt.
It may be mentioned that the anthem was composed and produced by state artists, viz. Kit Shangpliang, PynsuklinSyiemiong, Gregory Ford Nongrum, Daryl Diengdoh, Augustine Kurbah and Aroha Choir.
Another key highlight of the programme was the Indigenous Confluence, which featured the Aspire Indigenous Artists from Adokgiri Secondary School, Nongstoin College and Pariong Presbytery Higher Secondary School.
