Meghalaya has launched a set of initiatives to preserve indigenous heritage, support traditional livelihoods and expand public learning facilities, including the identification of 11 Arts and Craft Villages in the state. Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma announced the measures at the state-level Living Heritage Arts and Craft Village Festival in Shillong on Tuesday.
The festival was held at the U Soso Tham Auditorium on the premises of the state central library as part of Janjatiya Gaurav Divas. Sangma said preserving cultural heritage would require sustained intervention by both the government and the public so that traditional skills, practices and indigenous knowledge could be passed on to future generations.
“Preserving our cultural heritage requires conscious efforts and sustained govt intervention to ensure that our traditions, skills and indigenous knowledge are passed on to future generations,” Sangma said, according to the report.
The 11 Arts and Craft Villages are intended to create platforms for preserving traditional practices while supporting artisans and sustainable livelihoods. The initiative also seeks to maintain the connection between cultural preservation and economic opportunities, keeping traditional skills relevant as society changes.
Sangma said the festival also honoured freedom fighters and other personalities who had contributed to preserving and enriching Meghalaya’s arts, culture and traditions. He described the occasion as a reminder of the importance of keeping the state’s living heritage active for future generations.
The chief minister also inaugurated the renovated state central library at the auditorium premises. The facility has been modernised under the National Mission of Libraries, an initiative of the Union Ministry of Culture. The upgraded library now includes modern reading spaces, a children’s section, archives and a dedicated Knowledge Corner for students and others preparing for competitive examinations.
The renovated facility combines public learning functions with archival and educational resources. The Knowledge Corner is intended to provide candidates preparing for competitive examinations with dedicated space and relevant study materials, while the children’s section and reading areas expand the library’s role as a public knowledge facility.
Sangma also inaugurated the House of Ryndia, a platform intended to promote Meghalaya’s indigenous textiles. The facility will showcase the work of local weavers, self-help groups and entrepreneurs and seek to connect their craftsmanship with wider markets.
The initiatives bring together three public objectives identified by the state government: preserving indigenous knowledge, strengthening access to learning spaces and creating greater visibility for local textile production. The government’s next steps include implementing the Arts and Craft Village initiative and using the newly inaugurated facilities to support heritage, education and local enterprise.
