Shillong, October 28: Meghalaya Legislative Assembly Government Deputy Chief Whip Ronnie V. Lyngdoh attended the closing session of a two-day Legislators’ Leadership Programme at Mahabalipuram near Chennai on Wednesday as chief guest. He urged lawmakers to show their public service through action, accountability and real results.
The programme, held on October 27 and 28, was organised by the Office of the Speaker, Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, together with the Meghalaya Legislative Research Forum (MLRF). It brought together legislators from Tamil Nadu and other states for expert-led sessions on constitutional values, legislative duties, public health, environmental governance, digital governance and development policy.
‘Responsibility gives it meaning’
In his valedictory address, Lyngdoh said leadership was not just about holding office but about making a real difference in people’s lives.
“A position may give us authority; only responsibility gives it meaning,” he said. He urged legislators to listen to citizens, address their grievances and bring improvements in essential services, education, healthcare and jobs.
“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 said.
Lyngdoh called for closer cooperation between Meghalaya and Tamil Nadu. He said he hoped the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly and the MLRF would look at hosting a similar programme in Meghalaya.
“Let us turn learning into action, action into results, and public responsibility into lasting change,” he said.
Living root bridge model
Lyngdoh also presented a live model inspired by Meghalaya’s living root bridges. He said it reflects the State’s cultural heritage, traditional ecological knowledge and the close bond between nature and community life.
Resource persons
Sessions were led by experts from India and abroad. They included:
- Mohan Dhamotharan, leadership development and international cooperation consultant, Germany
- Samuel Gnanadurai, policy, education and team leadership specialist, Chennai
- Prof. Anu P. Manoharan, Suffolk University, USA
- Dr Vidya Ramanan, Madras Christian College
- Justice K. Chandru, former judge of the Madras High Court
- Ram Kumar Sathupuram, Director, National Health Mission, Meghalaya
- Dr Sampath Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary, Meghalaya, and Vice-Chairperson of the MLRF
- Stephen Anurag Prathipati, Project Officer at NISG and Co-Lead of the MLRF
- Balambigai V., Tamil Nadu e-Governance Agency
- Prof. L. Venkatachala and Dr Suresh Babu of the Madras Institute of Development Studies
The organisers said the programme helped participants better understand their constitutional duties, legislative accountability and their role in representing constituencies. It also gave them practical ideas on digital governance, public health, environmental sustainability and development policy. The aim was to encourage informed decision-making, responsive governance and better delivery of public services.
