In a celebration blending culture, cuisine, and community pride, the picturesque town of Ampati in Meghalaya’s South West Garo Hills hosted its first-ever Te•brong Festival, dedicated to the humble jackfruit — a fruit deeply rooted in the region’s tradition and livelihood. Held at the Multi Facility Centre, the event marked a unique milestone in the district’s cultural calendar. Organised jointly by the District Administration and the Tourism Department, the one-day festival drew large crowds of locals, students, entrepreneurs, and self-help groups (SHGs), transforming the venue into a bustling hub of colour, flavour, and innovation. The event was graced by Mahendraganj MLA Sanjay A. Sangma, Rangsakona MLA Subir M. Marak, Deputy Commissioner Hema Nayak, Superintendent of Police Vikash Kumar, and other senior officials.
The festival celebrated jackfruit not only as a dietary staple but also as a symbol of local enterprise and cultural identity. Dozens of stalls showcased a variety of jackfruit-based products — from traditional delicacies to modern innovations like pickles, chips, sweets, and the much-talked-about “Nokma Jackfruit Ice Cream,” developed by Muktidata Multipurpose Society Ltd.The festival was not without its lighter moments. Attendees cheered through several competitions, including a Jackfruit Eating Contest won by Remington Sangma, an Indigenous Cooking Competition claimed by Jeshmina S. Marak, and a Heaviest Jackfruit Contest, where Arfeush S. Sangma stunned everyone with a 37.89 kg jackfruit. Adding to the festive spirit, an inter-departmental tug-of-war between the District Sports Office and the Police Department concluded with the sports team emerging victorious, drawing laughter and applause from the crowd.
Addressing the gathering, MLA Sanjay Sangma underlined jackfruit’s economic value beyond food — including its use in timber, nutrition, and processing industries. His colleague, MLA Subir Marak, encouraged the youth to view jackfruit as a source of livelihood, lauding the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government’s support for grassroots entrepreneurship.Deputy Commissioner Hema Nayak set the tone for the festival in her opening remarks: “Jackfruit reflects the very essence of Garo Hills. We want this festival to inspire young people to explore its full potential — not just as food but as an economic engine.” She also advocated for incorporating locally grown produce into school meal programs to address malnutrition in the region.Tourist Officer Colin Jeffrey Ch Marak and ADC Dolrich B.G. Momin echoed the view that cultural festivals like Tebrong could serve as a catalyst for tourism and community development, fostering both economic and social resilience.