Meghalaya

Shillong is preparing for one of its biggest live music moments yet as legendary British rock band Def Leppard is set to launch its India tour in the hill city on March 25, 2026. The concert will take place at JN Stadium, Polo Grounds, marking a major milestone for the Northeast, which has rapidly emerged as a preferred destination for international performers. The three-city tour will begin in Shillong before moving to Mumbai’s Jio World Garden on March 27 and concluding in Bengaluru’s Nice Grounds on March 29. Tickets for all venues will be available exclusively on BookMyShow starting 12 pm on December 13, 2025. Formed in 1977 in Sheffield, Def Leppard rose to worldwide fame through the 1980s with albums that defined an era of rock music. With more than 100 million records sold, and ...

Shillong is set to host British rock legends Def Leppard on March 25, 2026, at JN Stadium (Polo Grounds), marking a significant moment for the Northeast's music scene as international acts increasingly recognise the region's vibrant concert culture. The iconic Sheffield-formed band will perform at three Indian venues, with Shillong receiving the opening date before moving to Mumbai's Jio World Garden on March 27 and concluding in Bengaluru at Nice Grounds on March 29. Tickets go on sale on December 13 at 12 pm. Formed in 1977, Def Leppard rose to global prominence in the 1980s with their distinctive blend of hard rock and melodic sensibilities. The band has sold over 100 million records worldwide, with albums like "Hysteria" and "Pyromania" achieving diamond and multi-platinum statu...

The decade-long ban on coal mining in Meghalaya has begun showing visible environmental gains atleast for the reservoir of Kopili Hydro Electric Project which is an inter-state project located along the Assam Meghalaya Border NEEPCO Executive Director Jayanta Sharma revealed that the prohibition on rat-hole mining, imposed by the NGT in 2014, has significantly helped reduce acidity levels in the reservoir of the Kopili hydroelectric project, located along the Assam–Meghalaya border. Once severely affected by acidification linked to unregulated coal mining, the reservoir is now witnessing gradual improvement in water quality — a positive sign for both the health of the river system and the efficiency of the power project.

Scientists of the Zoological Survey of India have discovered two new species of jumping spiders in Meghalaya, a spokesperson of the ZSI said on Wednesday. The newly described species -- Asemonea dentis and Colyttus nongwar -- belong to the Salticidae family, or ''jumping spiders" which are renowned for their quick reflexes and unique predatory behaviour of stalking and pouncing on prey rather than spinning webs, the ZSI said in a statement. Scientist Souvik Sen, who led the research team alongside Dr Sudhin P P, emphasised the importance of the findings. ZSI Director Dhriti Banerjee said the findings underline the urgency of expanding scientific exploration in the region. She described Meghalaya’s forests, sacred groves and cliffs as “irreplaceable ecological assets” that warrant deepe...

Marking a grand conclusion to Meghalaya's autumn calendar and ushering a festive spirit across Shillong, Winter Tales, 2025 returns to the iconic Wards Lake from 11th to 13th December 2025. Organised by The Meghalayan Age Limited in collaboration with the Department of Tourism, Government of Meghalaya, and curated by Dakti, the event has been a staple for six years, taking place at the start of the Christmas season. The festival will be inaugurated by Shri Timothy D. Shira, Hon'ble Minister of Tourism, setting the stage for three days of culture, craft, and community celebrations. Over the three days, Winter Tales aims to transform Ward's Lake into a hub of creativity and celebration with a special curated lineup of different workshops, performances, and interactive sessions. Set again...

Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Tuesday announced that the state government has simplified the procedure for regularization of excess area on government lease lands. "We have also had decisions today for the regularization of excess area on government lease lands. As you are aware, there are large number of lands in and around Shillong which are leased out many years back and periodic renewals take place every 30 years also, and in that process, normally documentations and the files have to come to the government," Sangma told reporters after chairing a cabinet meeting. The Chief Minister explained that the process was tedious and time-consuming, requiring the involvement of many officials. To address this, the government has decided to delegate powers to the Deputy Commissioner, ena...

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma said on Tuesday that the state education department's annual budget has been increased from Rs 2,000 crore to Rs 3,500 crore in recent years, the highest so far, and the impact of this investment is "becoming visible". Highlighting the government's initiatives since 2018, Sangma said education has remained one of the top priorities of the administration. The rise in annual budgetary allocation from Rs 2,000 crore to Rs 3,500 crore reflected this commitment, he said, adding that the investments are now translating into the kind of transformation the government had envisioned. He stressed the importance of holistic learning and said that education must shape “character” and instil qualities such as discipline, commitment and respect. “It is not j...

The Meghalaya government on Tuesday cleared a series of proposals, including the confirmation of services of 221 nurses and paramedics appointed between 2008 and 2012, approval of the mental healthcare rules and reforms in land lease, judicial services and health administration. Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said the Cabinet formally recognised the appointments of the "bonded nurses and paramedics after a detailed review". "Cabinet has decided to confirm and formally recognise the appointments of 221 bonded nurses, as well as bonded paramedic staff, who were appointed between 2008 and 2012," he said.

The Smart India Hackathon (SIH) 2025 Grand Finale witnessed an inspiring moment on December 8, 2025, as Dr. Sukanta Majumdar, Hon'ble Union Minister of State for Education & Development of North Eastern Region (DONER), connected live with student innovators across all 60 nodal centres in the country. His interaction brought an atmosphere of encouragement, motivation, and national integration to one of India's largest innovation-driven events. Speaking directly to thousands of young participants, Dr. Majumdar applauded their passion for problem-solving and their commitment to contributing toward a technologically empowered Viksit Bharat. He emphasized that SIH is not just a competition but a national movement that nurtures creativity, strengthens critical thinking, and gives students a...

India’s acclaimed music icon Sonu Nigam will open his Deewana Tera Tour in Guwahati on 14 December 2025, marking his first-ever solo live concert in the city. Although he has performed across India and around the world for years, his only previous appearance in Guwahati was at an awards ceremony, the same event where he last shared the stage with the legendary artist, Late Zubeen Garg, a moment he continues to hold close. In a recent interaction, Sonu Nigam shared that the decision to begin the tour in Guwahati is deeply personal. The city remains tied to his memories of Zubeen, whose passing left a profound impact on him. He recalled being moved by how Assam came together to honour Zubeen Garg, describing the collective affection and respect as something he had not witnessed anywhere els...