Tura, Oct 23: The Department of Education, Government of Meghalaya organized the SPARK MEGHALAYA – School Programmes in Articulation, Resilience and Kindness – State Summit ’26, today at District Auditorium, Tura which was graced by Conrad K. Sangma, Chief Minister of Meghalaya as the Chief Guest.
Also present were officials from the district administration, officials of the Education Department, members of jury, principals, teachers, and students and youth from different districts and schools of Meghalaya.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said it was a wonderful experience to be with young minds and recalled last year’s State Summit in Shillong which was an enriching experience and informed he suggested to the SPARK team that the summit be held in Tura this year stating, “The reason is that it is important for youngsters to share and experience the true richness of the state – its diversity, cultures, language, land, beauty, food and music. The journey and stay are part of the experience they will carry forever.”
He said he was happy to hear that many students have visited Tura for the first time. “That is precisely the point. The summit is giving opportunity for youth to interact, meet and understand different cultures and flavours of the people,” he said.
Informing that he would try to witness the different events of the SPARK Summit he said the beauty of this programme is that every individual is unique and each has a talent. “Everybody has potential and you have already won by being here,” he said to the participants outlining the purposes behind such programs to make things better for the youth, improve confidence, create better human beings, instill values of life and create friendships, advising the youth to focus on themselves and on self-growth.
He said SPARK is not just this programme but a ‘SPARK’ is seen in music, sports, entrepreneurship, dance and painting. “This programme is at the heart of promoting talent and giving confidence to say ‘I will try’,” he added.
The Chief Minister reiterated that the youth is the greatest strength and it is important for the government to channelize this energy in a productive manner and provide opportunities and direction to make it the greatest constructive force for the state and country.
Highlighting the youth centric initiatives of the government, he cited that through MGMP, 8,000 artists are today doing what they love, ‘earning and reinvesting’ performing more than 20,000 shows all over the state, country and world with artists performing in Japan and Germany with government support and also informed about the CM Elevate program and investments in the Sports sector.
Congratulating the Education department he informed that many of Meghalaya’s programmes are being replicated at national level and said spending on such programs is not expenditure but an investment impacting generations. “Students here will create spark in their locality among brothers, sisters and friends – a multiplier effect. It is not spark happening here, it is spark spreading,” he stated.
Release of SPARK Outcomes Report 2026, cultural performances and testimonials by students and teachers, and felicitation of District SPARK Stars were the other highlights of the occasion.
