Entertainment events in 2024 rake in ₹133 crore
By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Nov 21: Five blockbuster concerts in 2024 didn’t just get Meghalaya grooving — they pumped an estimated ₹133 crore straight into the state’s economy, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma revealed on Friday.
From packed homestays and buzzing taxis to roadside tea stalls and mom-and-pop shops, the ripple effect touched thousands of local livelihoods.
“Every rupee spent by a visitor multiplies several times as it moves through our service chains,” the Chief Minister said, underlining the events’ outsized contribution to the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP).
Building on this momentum, the state government has sanctioned ₹50 crore for the complete revamp of Shillong’s iconic Ward’s Lake. With ₹20 crore already released and another ₹30 crore approved, the project promises enhanced aesthetics, better public amenities and a stronger brand identity for the capital.
Sangma also spotlighted the remarkable growth of the Shillong Literary Festival, which began as a modest gathering and has now become a key pillar in the state’s cultural calendar.
“Our youth have stories burning inside them; what they needed was a platform and inspiration,” he said, adding that inviting acclaimed authors to Shillong is already sparking a new generation of serious writers.
The Chief Minister painted a broader vision: Shillong is no longer just the “Rock Capital of India” — it is fast emerging as a vibrant hub for sports, literature, literature, and the arts.
With half the state’s population under 35, Meghalaya’s greatest strength lies in its youth, he stressed. The flagship Meghalaya Grassroots Music Project alone now supports over 7,000 artists and has positively impacted close to 30,000 young lives. “Give our young people opportunity and direction, and Meghalaya has everything it takes to become one of India’s best-performing states in every domain,” Sangma declared.
