The West Garo Hills Top 3 District Stars were announced earlier today at an event held here marking the culmination of the Aspire Meghalaya District Talent Events 2022 which commenced on 6th October. Today’s event concluded the search for the Top 36 District Stars from a pool of over 13,000young adults across the State who participated in the Soft Skills and Talent Identification interventions under Aspire Meghalaya.
Launched in March 2022, the Aspire Meghalaya initiative is focused on encouraging grassroot youth engagement, building critical soft skills for life, improving career aspirations, and identifying emerging talents across districts. The programme is an initiative of the Directorate of Sports & Youth Affairs, Government of Meghalaya and supported by the State Education Mission Authority Meghalaya(SEMAM). The project is implemented by Meghalaya-based Social Enterprise, AVENUES.
Speaking at the event in Tura today, Thomas A Sangma, Chief Advisor to the Chief Minister, Government of Meghalaya and MLA, North Tura Constituency, said, “I have now been to three of these Aspire talent events in the past two months and I have seen so much talent and potential. And let me tell you that this is just the beginning. Standing on this stage is the first step. The world is your stage, and you should own it”.
Also speaking at the event today, Swapnil Tembe (IAS), Deputy Commissioner, West Garo Hills District, said, “I have travelled across the country, and I have interacted with youth from different states, and I believe that the youth of Meghalaya are the most talented I have ever seen. I also feel that India and the world is not aware of this fact”.He urged the students to participate in such programmes and to also document their talents. “Let the world know that somewhere in a remote corner of West Garo Hills, a talent is there. Work a little harder to transform your passion into your profession. And as a district administration we will do whatever we can to support you. Take this opportunity. This is your time, so make the most of it,” he added.
A key highlight ofthe district events was the felicitation of 332 campuses across districts who participated in the Meghalaya Youth Survey 2022 and Soft Skills Training interventions under Aspire Meghalaya. All 348 talents representing 62 campuses across the State were also felicitated at their respective district events.
A huge part of the Aspire Meghalaya initiative is the identification of emerging talents from across the State. Talent discovery platforms were integrated into the campus training interventions that have seen the emergence of 348 promising talents from across districts in talent spaces varying from singing, dancing, sport performance and visual arts.
Top 3 talents are selected by a panel of District Talent Committee members at each district event.The District Talent Committees comprise of officials from the Sports & Youth Affairs and Education Departments, as well as renowned personalities in various art spaces.
Saljalgring Marak, District Sports Officer, and Dabo Marak, Vice Chairperson, MCCL, were some of the officials also present at the event in Tura today.
It may be mentioned that the Top 36 District Stars will converge at the State Summit that will be held in December 2022, where they will showcase their talents and the Aspire State Stars will be recognised and felicitated.