Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on November 3 highlighted the state government’s efforts to preserve indigenous arts, crafts and traditional knowledge by identifying 11 Arts and Craft Villages across the state.
Addressing the State Level Living Heritage Arts and Craft Village Festival, organised as part of Jan Jatiya Gaurav Divas at the U Soso Tham Auditorium in Shillong, Sangma said the preservation of cultural heritage requires continuous efforts and active government support to ensure that traditional practices, indigenous skills and knowledge systems are passed on to future generations.
He said the initiative to identify 11 Arts and Craft Villages aims to create dedicated platforms for safeguarding traditional art forms, supporting local artisans and generating sustainable livelihood opportunities.
The festival also paid tribute to freedom fighters and eminent personalities who have contributed significantly to preserving and enriching the region’s rich cultural traditions and artistic heritage.
Highlighting the importance of recognising indigenous roots, Sangma said Meghalaya’s unique cultural identity must be protected and strengthened for future generations.
The initiative seeks to link cultural preservation with economic development by creating new opportunities for traditional artisans while ensuring that indigenous crafts and skills remain relevant in a rapidly changing social and economic landscape.