Shillong  Aug 1: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Wednesday stressed the need to encourage and promote creative talent in the State, and assured that due recognition and importance would be given to all talented individuals not only in music but all other fields as well.

Speaking at the ‘Symphony of Thanks’ concert organised by the Department of Arts and Culture for the Aroha Junior Choir, the Chief Minister said that there was no dearth of musical talent in the state and urged one and all to support it.

Praising the Aroha Junior Choir that won accolades at an International Competition recently, the he also encouraged the musically gifted young generation to consider music as a viable career option.

“There was a time when opportunities were hard to come by, even if one was musically talented. But times are changing. As a government, we want to ensure that due recognition and importance is given to all talented individuals not only in music but all other fields as well”, he added

City based Aroha Junior Choir won the International Acapella Group category at the Llangollen Eisteddfod Musical Festival held in Wales, UK recently.