Shillong, Oct 28: The concluding session of the two-day Legislators’ Leadership Programme held on 27-28 October 2026 at Mahabalipuram, Chennai, was graced by Shri Ronnie V. Lyngdoh, MLA and Government Deputy Chief Whip, Meghalaya Legislative Assembly, as the Chief Guest on 28 October 2026.
Organised by the Office of the Speaker, Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, in collaboration with the Meghalaya Legislative Research Forum, the programme brought together legislators from Tamil Nadu and other jurisdictions for expert-led sessions on constitutional values, legislative responsibilities, public health, environmental governance, digital governance and development policy.
The facilitators and resource persons included Shri Mohan Dhamotharan, Consultant in Leadership Development and International Cooperation, Germany; Shri Samuel Gnanadurai, Policy, Education and Team Leadership Specialist, Chennai; Prof. Anu P. Manoharan, Assistant Chair and Associate Professor in Public Service and Health, Suffolk University, USA; Dr. Vidya Ramanan, Assistant Professor of Political Science, Madras Christian College; Justice K. Chandru, Former Judge, Madras High Court; Shri Ram Kumar Sathupuram, Director, National Health Mission, Government of Meghalaya.
Dr. Sampath Kumar, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary and Vice-Chairperson, MLRF, Government of Meghalaya; Shri Stephen Anurag Prathipati, NISG, Project Officer and Co-Lead, MLRF; Prof. L. Venkatachala, Madras Institute of Development Studies, expert in environmental economics and natural-resource governance; Tmt Balambigai V., Tech Lead, CM Dashboard, Tamil Nadu e-Governance Agency; and Dr. Suresh Babu, Director, Madras Institute of Development Studies, expert in trade liberalisation and development economics.
During the occasion, Shri Ronnie V. Lyngdoh also presented a live model inspired by Meghalaya’s iconic living root bridges, highlighting the State’s unique cultural heritage, traditional ecological knowledge and the harmonious relationship between nature and community life.
The programme strengthened participants’ understanding of constitutional responsibilities, legislative accountability and constituency representation, while providing practical insights into digital governance, public health, environmental sustainability and development policy. It aimed to promote informed decision-making, responsive governance and improved public service delivery and reaffirmed the importance of informed and responsible legislative leadership in strengthening democratic institutions.
Speaking on the occasion Shri Ronnie V. Lyngdoh called upon legislators to make public service measurable through action, accountability and tangible results. Delivering the valedictory address, he stressed that leadership is not merely about holding office, but about making a meaningful difference in people’s lives.
“A position may give us authority; only responsibility gives it meaning,” he said, urging legislators to listen to citizens, address their grievances and deliver improvements in essential services, education, healthcare and employment.
“Leadership is not measured by the promises we make, but by the difference we create; not by the problems we describe, but by the solutions we deliver,” he asserted.
Shri Lyngdoh also called for greater cooperation between Meghalaya and Tamil Nadu and expressed hope that the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly, in collaboration with the Meghalaya Legislative Research Forum, would explore hosting a similar programme in Meghalaya.
He concluded with a strong message: “Let us turn learning into action, action into results, and public responsibility into lasting change.”
