Shillong, October 23 (H.S.) Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Friday called for greater opportunities, guidance and platforms to help young people realise their potential, describing them as a driving force behind the state's future development.

Addressing the SPARK Meghalaya - School Programmes in Articulation, Resilience and Kindness - State Summit 2026 at the District Auditorium in Tura, Sangma said students possessed immense potential and could make meaningful contributions to the progress of Meghalaya and the country if provided with the right support.

He said SPARK was designed to build confidence, nurture individual talents, instil values and encourage personal growth among students.

Everybody has potential, and you have already won by being here, he told the participants, urging them to focus on self-improvement and make the most of the opportunities available to them.

Recalling last year's summit in Shillong, Sangma said he had proposed holding this year's event in Tura to enable students to interact with peers from different backgrounds and gain a better understanding of the state's diverse communities.

Describing young people as Meghalaya's greatest strength, the Chief Minister said the government had a responsibility to channel their energy in a positive direction by providing opportunities and guidance to help them become constructive contributors to society.

Highlighting initiatives aimed at promoting youth talent and entrepreneurship, Sangma said the Meghalaya Grassroots Music Project (MGMP) had helped around 8,000 artists earn a livelihood through their passion. With government support, the artists had performed at more than 20,000 shows across the state, the country and internationally, including in Japan and Germany.ober 23

He also highlighted the CM Elevate programme and the government's investments in sports, citing them as part of its efforts to create opportunities for young people to pursue their ambitions.

Congratulating the Education Department for organising the summit, Sangma said initiatives launched in Meghalaya were being replicated at the national level. He urged people to view expenditure on such programmes as an investment in the future of the state's younger generations.

The summit featured the release of the SPARK Outcomes Report 2026, cultural performances, testimonials from students and teachers, and the felicitation of District SPARK Stars.

Officials from the district administration and the Education Department, members of the jury, school principals, teachers, students and young people from different districts attended the event.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhijit Deb