Meghalaya

The spirit of innovation and technological problem-solving came alive as the Smart India Hackathon (SIH) 2025 - Software Edition Grand Finale was formally inaugurated today at the Multi-Convention Hall, North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU), Shillong. The prestigious national event-an initiative of the Ministry of Education's Innovation Cell (MIC) and AICTE -brought together some of India's brightest young innovators for an intensive 36-hour coding marathon, aimed at building practical solutions for real-world challenges posed by various ministries, industries, and government agencies. The inaugural ceremony commenced with the traditional Lighting of the Lamp, followed by Saraswati Vandana, invoking an auspicious beginning to the nationwide programme. Prof. Dinesh Bhatia, Coordinator and S...

North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU), Shillong, will proudly host the Grand Finale of the Smart India Hackathon (SIH) 2025 - Software Edition on 8" and 9" December 2025. SIH, an initiative of the Ministry of Education's Innovation Cell (MIC) and the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), will bring together top innovators from across India to develop cutting-edge solutions for real-world problems faced by government, industry, and society. The inaugural ceremony will be held on 8" December 2025 at the Multi-Convention Hall, NEHU, and will witness the participation of distinguished dignitaries, mentors, evaluators, student innovators, and delegates from various institutions. Santosh V. T., Scientist-F & State Information Officer, National Informatics Centre (NIC), MeitY,...

A significant boost for Meghalaya’s rising football scene emerged this week as three young players earned invitations to the Indian U-17 women’s national team trials in Bangalore. Eiladki Ksoo, Ibashembha Khongsit and Ibadarihun Nongsiej were picked following strong performances in the recently concluded Meghalaya Women’s State League. Ksoo and Nongsiej featured for Laitkor, while Khongsit represented Mawlum Tyrsad. Meghalaya Football Association President Hamletson Dohling said the call-ups highlight both individual commitment and the sport’s growing foundations in the state. “This achievement speaks to their dedication and to the growing strength of women’s football in our state,” he noted. Dohling urged the players to approach the Bengaluru trials with composure and openness. He ...

The state unit of BJP in Meghalaya has demanded a probe by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) into the alleged illegal coal trade in the state. Meghalaya BJP vice-president and Tura MDC Bernard Marak, who chairs the party’s committee on illegal coal mining and transportation, informed that the committee has already submitted its first inquiry report to the Centre. Marak said that another report, a comprehensive one, was being prepared. He informed that the committee’s initial inquiry in Garo Hills reportedly uncovered allegations that police personnel receive Rs 4,000 per truck, deputy commissioners get Rs 1,000 per truck, while some MLAs are paid Rs 2,800 per truck to turn a blind eye to illegal transportation. The BJP leader claimed that when several trucks ply and challans are issued ...

The fifth edition of the Me’gong Festival wrapped up on Saturday with a dazzling finale in the Garo Hills, drawing more than 55,000 visitors over two days and reaffirming Meghalaya’s rising profile as one of India’s most vibrant cultural destinations. With international headliners, acclaimed national artistes and powerful homegrown talent sharing the spotlight, this year’s edition delivered one of the region’s most memorable celebrations of music, culture and community. Day 2 closed on a high note, with British pop group Blue, global EDM duo Yellow Claw, singer-songwriter Prateek Kuhad and Bollywood star Kanika Kapoor performing to roaring crowds at the main Aski Stage. “Garo Hills’ Me’gong Festival is amazing! The crowd was on fire,” said Antony Costa of Blue, as the band thanked ...

Unverified reports from Thangskai village in Meghalaya's East Jaintia Hills claim that three coal labourers were buried alive due to a mine collapse. Local accounts suggest the victims' bodies were discreetly removed at night to avoid public attention. The police have received similar reports and dispatched a team to investigate; however, no confirmation of the incident has been obtained from locals. The district police noted that there have been no missing person reports or death registrations related to this case. Ongoing investigations have revealed no evidence supporting the claims, with searches in nearby forests also yielding no results. Despite a ban on rat-hole coal mining since 2014, illegal and abandoned mines continue to exist in the region, posing significant risks to ...

The Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, in collaboration with the Government of Meghalaya, on Saturday inaugurated the multi day EKTA Exhibition cum Knowledge Sharing for Textile Advantage at the Integrated Textiles and Tourism Complex (ITTC), Nongpoh, Ri-Bhoi. The programme aims to highlight Meghalaya’s distinctive textile heritage and strengthen its growing artisan ecosystem. The exhibition, held from 6th to 9th December 2025, is themed “From Loom to Lifestyle: A Future Woven with Tradition.” The initiative seeks to promote India’s diverse textile traditions while advancing technology integration, market access, and investment opportunities for artisans in Meghalaya. The ITTC in Ri-Bhoi is a flagship project of the Department of Textiles, Government of Meghalaya, supported by ...

Forty young people from Meghalaya have been chosen to represent the state at a national-level competition in Delhi following the conclusion of the Chief Minister's Youth Engagement Programme 2025. The state-level programme, which wrapped up on December 5 at the Convocation Hall on NEHU Campus, saw participants compete across multiple categories, including music, dance, sports, painting, and science. The selected group will now advance to the national competition in the capital. Bobby Wahlang, state youth officer at the Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs, addressed the participants, urging immediate action. "Do it now; sometimes later becomes never," he told the young competitors. He emphasised that leadership is centred on service and empowerment rather than control. News Meghalaya M...

The Me’gong Festival 2025 began in Tura on Friday with a colourful opening ceremony and a large turnout of visitors from different parts of Meghalaya and other states. Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma formally opened the event, marking the fifth edition of one of the biggest cultural festivals of Meghalaya. The festival will continue through the weekend and several major shows have been planned for the coming days. According to officials, thousands of people gathered at the venue on the opening evening. Many of them said that the festival has now become a major annual celebration for the people of Garo Hills and is also attracting tourists from outside the state. People were seen enjoying music shows, food stalls and several cultural activities across the large festival ground. The first...

Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar inaugurated the Christmas and New Year lighting festival at Mootyrchiah village in West Jaintia Hills district on Thursday. In his address, Dhar emphasized the significance of Christmas and expressed his hope that the state will usher in a prosperous New Year. The event marked the beginning of the festive season in the region, with the lighting ceremony setting the tone for celebrations to come. The Deputy Chief Minister's presence was seen as a gesture of support for the local community's efforts to promote tourism and cultural heritage in the area. The festival is expected to attract visitors from across the state and beyond, providing an opportunity for locals to showcase their rich cultural traditions.