Shillong, June 30: Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Tuesday launched the “Achiever of the Month” programme, a flagship initiative aimed at recognising outstanding individuals and strengthening the culture of entrepreneurship across Meghalaya.
The initiative seeks to provide a platform for achievers from diverse sectors to share their success stories, inspire aspiring entrepreneurs, and highlight the impact of government support in fostering innovation and economic growth.
Launching the programme, the Chief Minister said the government’s role is to create an enabling environment through policies, infrastructure and support systems, while entrepreneurs are the real drivers of economic development.
“Government creates the base, but it is entrepreneurship that makes the economy take off,” Sangma said, describing entrepreneurship as the foundation of sustainable livelihood generation and long-term economic progress.
He said the programme was conceived to break sectoral barriers and bring inspiring stories of success into the public domain.
“We want to share your stories with the world. What may seem simple to you is truly inspiring for others,” he said.
The Chief Minister announced that the entire month of July will be dedicated to celebrating entrepreneurs through a series of engagements, storytelling sessions and social media campaigns showcasing their journeys.
Addressing the gathering, Sangma acknowledged the challenges faced by entrepreneurs, saying success often comes after overcoming uncertainty, sleepless nights and numerous obstacles.
“Entrepreneurship is not easy. It comes with sleepless nights, uncertainty and challenges. But it is passion and determination that define an entrepreneur,” he said, encouraging aspiring business owners to remain confident in their abilities.
“Do not let anyone tell you that you cannot succeed. It is your responsibility to prove them wrong,” he added.
The Chief Minister also highlighted the government’s emphasis on promoting entrepreneurship across sectors such as agriculture, sports, music and other emerging industries, stating that each offers significant opportunities for enterprise and employment generation.
He praised the role of the Meghalaya government-backed PRIME initiative and its rural outreach programmes in nurturing grassroots entrepreneurs, citing several examples of local businesses that have grown from small beginnings to supplying products in major cities.
Entrepreneurs honoured during the event shared their experiences of struggle, resilience and growth, while expressing gratitude to the government for creating a platform that recognises their achievements and motivates others to pursue entrepreneurship.
Sangma also interacted with the entrepreneurs, who shared ideas for expanding their businesses and sought continued government support to strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the state.
A total of 50 entrepreneurs from different parts of Meghalaya were honoured during the inaugural edition of the programme.
The “Achiever of the Month” initiative will, in the coming months, feature achievers from sectors including sports, agriculture, education and public service, with the objective of building a statewide movement that celebrates excellence, innovation and entrepreneurship.
