Shillong, September 7: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Monday accorded a warm welcome to Vice-President of India C. P. Radhakrishnan during a felicitation programme held at the Soso Tham Auditorium in Shillong.
Speaking on behalf of the people of Meghalaya, Sangma said it was an immense pleasure and honour to welcome the Vice-President to the “Abode of Clouds” and expressed hope that the visit would mark the beginning of a lasting relationship between Radhakrishnan and the people of the State.
“On behalf of all the citizens of our State, it gives me immense pleasure and honour to welcome you to our beautiful State. I am sure this will be the beginning of many more visits in the future and a very strong bond between you and our people,” Sangma said.
The Chief Minister recalled Radhakrishnan’s long association with former Lok Sabha Speaker and Meghalaya leader P. A. Sangma, noting that the two served together in Parliament during the 12th and 13th Lok Sabha.
Sangma also revealed that Radhakrishnan had visited P. A. Sangma’s residence several times between 1999 and 2000.
“I am happy to see that the bond, friendship and connection established during that period continue even today,” he said.
Communities Meghalaya’s Greatest Strength
Highlighting Meghalaya’s journey since attaining statehood around 54 years ago, Sangma said the State had faced numerous challenges and experienced several ups and downs over the decades.
He acknowledged the contributions of successive leaders in shaping Meghalaya, but said the State’s greatest strength lay beyond political leadership.
According to Sangma, Meghalaya’s communities, traditional institutions, cultural heritage and strong sense of identity have played a crucial role in sustaining the State through generations.
“Our traditional systems have stood the test of time for decades and centuries. Even before modern governments were established, our traditional heads, institutions and way of life governed and protected our people,” he said.
He said these traditional systems continued to be an important part of Meghalaya’s social fabric and identity.
Northeast Witnessing Transformation
The Chief Minister said Meghalaya and the wider Northeast had undergone significant transformation over the past eight years with the support of the Central Government, particularly under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
He recalled that northeastern States, including Meghalaya, were once frequently placed at the bottom of various national development rankings.
However, he said sustained efforts, a clear vision, teamwork and the active participation of communities and young people had begun to change that narrative.
“Slowly and steadily, through consistency, teamwork and the collective efforts of society and the Government, Meghalaya is moving forward,” Sangma said.
He said the State’s progress was not the result of government action alone but reflected the collective contribution of communities, traditional institutions, youth and other stakeholders.
Sangma maintained that Meghalaya’s unique identity and community-based systems must remain central to its development journey, even as the State embraces modern infrastructure, economic opportunities and improved connectivity.
