By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Oct 15: Serving as a curtain-raiser to the forthcoming Shillong Literary Festival 2025, the Shillong Literary Festival – Campus Prelude, hosted by the Indian Institute of Management Shillong at its Mawdiangdiang campus on Wednesday, brought together students, faculty, and dignitaries to celebrate literature, dialogue, and youth perspectives.
Participating institutions included IIM Shillong’s IPM students, Synod College, Iaikyntiew College, and MIT University, representing a dynamic mix of academic communities from across Shillong.
The event was curated by Meghalayan Age Ltd. and hosted by IIM Shillong’s North-East Centre for Community Impact and Engagement (NE-CCIE) in partnership with the Student Association – Nurturing Minds (NM).
The event commenced at 10 AM with a book discussion on “M. S. Swaminathan: The Man Who Fed India”, in the presence of the author Priyambada Jayakumar. The session explored the life and legacy of Dr MS Swaminathan, the architect of India’s Green Revolution, highlighting his vision for sustainable agriculture, gender inclusion, and human-centered scientific progress.
The discussion was moderated by Dr Teidorlang Lyngdoh, faculty member at IIM Shillong, who steered a rich and reflective conversation with students and participants on the intersections of science, policy, and social change.
This was followed by student-led panel discussions from 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM at the New Academic Building (NAB).
The first panel held discussion on the topic “Education – Is It Preparation for Life or Just a Job?”, inviting reflections on how education can shape identity, values, and resilience beyond employability. Panel 2 deliberated on “Unemployment, Stress, and Substance Abuse: What Role Can Education Play?”, examining how education can serve as an early line of defense against youth challenges and promote mental health and social awareness.
The panel discussions were judged by Saloni Varma, IAS, and Deputy Secretary to the Government of Meghalaya, along with faculty members from IIM Shillong, who lauded the students for their thoughtful engagement and articulate presentation of ideas.
The campus prelude fostered vibrant inter-collegiate dialogue and creative exchange, reaffirming IIM Shillong’s commitment to connecting education, culture, and community impact. The event set an inspiring tone for the upcoming Shillong Literary Festival 2025, celebrating the power of literature and conversation to build a more inclusive, reflective, and compassionate society.
