Our Bureau
TURA/JOWAI, Oct 29: Around 500 students representing 15 schools from across West Garo Hills came together for the Chief Minister’s Youth Engagement Programme 2025, showcasing their creativity, leadership and talent at the District Auditorium, Tura, on Wednesday.
Organised by the District Sports Office, West Garo Hills, the event aimed to empower the youths of Meghalaya through exposure in culture, communication, leadership, heritage promotion and skill development—encouraging them to become confident ambassadors of the state at national and international levels.
The day-long programme featured a range of competitions, including painting, declamation, poetry writing, story writing and guitar (solo) under the individual category, while folk song, folk dance, quiz, innovation in Science and Technology, and tug of war were held in groups. Winners were also awarded trophies and certificates for their performances.
In the quiz competition, Nokrek Heights Higher Secondary School bagged the first prize, followed by Tura Government College in second place. Redemption Academy clinched victory in tug of war, with Government Boys Higher Secondary School finishing runner-up. St. Mary’s Higher Secondary School won the innovation in Science and Technology award.
Similarly, Tura Government College secured the top prize in the folk song category, while Redemption Academy came second. St. Mary’s Higher Secondary School also took first place in folk dance, followed by Tura Government College.
In solo events, Ankitha S. Sangma of Aeroville Higher Secondary School won first place in poetry writing, and Bimikchi D. Shira of PASF Abong Noga College took second. For story writing, Sarah Angel N. Marak of Don Bosco Higher Secondary School claimed the top spot, while Hazel Ripamchi R. Marak of Nokrek Heights School was the runner-up.
In declamation, Ronggrik M. Sangma of Don Bosco Higher Secondary School secured first position, followed by Marmibar K. Sangma of Nokrek Heights School. The painting category saw Simmitchi R. Marak of St. Mary’s Higher Secondary School win first prize, while Jaksram Ch. Marak of Aeroville Higher Secondary School came second. In solo guitar, Volgarian Ch. Sangma of Tura Government College took the first prize, and Gamchatan Silgasak T. Sangma of Don Bosco Higher Secondary School came second.
Speaking at the event, District Sports Officer (DSO) Saljagring M. Marak announced that winners of the block-level programme will represent Tura in the upcoming district-level Youth Engagement Programme on November 3. The top performers from the district level will advance to the state-level competition, and selected winners will later represent Meghalaya nationally, with the best moving on to international platforms.
Marak also highlighted the importance of such initiatives in guiding young people towards meaningful pursuits. “We see many youths nowadays walking in the wrong direction. By providing such platforms, we can channel their energy towards constructive and purposeful paths,” he said.
In a similar initiative, the District Sports Officer of East Jaintia Hills, in collaboration with the Block Development Officer of Lumshnong C&RD Block, successfully organised a two-day Block Level Chief Minister’s Youth Engagement Programme 2025 at Lumshnong Community Hall under the theme ‘Empower Youth – Empower Meghalaya’.
The closing ceremony was attended by MDC Deiwi Tongper of Narpuh as the chief guest, along with DSO SM Rapsang, local leaders, teachers and students.
During the event, Tongper lauded the organisers and encouraged youths to seize opportunities to showcase their talents and strive for excellence.
It may be mentioned that the Lumshnong event featured similar competitions, including quiz, tug of war, declamation, guitar (solo), painting, folk dance, folk song, poetry writing, story writing, Science Innovation, and a talent show, all aimed at nurturing unity, discipline and leadership among the youths.
