Meghalaya

In a landmark moment for live entertainment in the Northeast, world-renowned comedian Russell Peters is set to perform in Shillong on Friday evening, marking the first time an international stand-up comedy act of this scale has come to the region. The show, scheduled at the Lariti International Centre for Performing Arts and Culture, has already been sold out, reflecting strong interest among local audiences. Organisers said the response has been overwhelming, with tickets selling out quickly days before the event. Peters, who is currently on his India tour, arrived in the city earlier in the day and spent time exploring local spots before preparing for his 6:00 PM performance. Attendees have been advised to reach the venue early to avoid last-minute rush and to enjoy food and beverage st...

Shillong is hosting Northeast India's first major international stand-up comedy event tonight, March 27, with global star Russell Peters performing to a sold-out crowd at the Lariti International Centre for Performing Arts and Culture. Peters arrived in the city earlier today and has been taking in the local sights before his 6:00 PM show. Fans should arrive by 5:00 PM to enjoy the venue's stalls and beverages amid high demand. The comedian, on his India tour, chose Shillong as his sole Northeast stop. Famous for observational humour and tales drawn from diverse cultures, he has drawn packed houses in arenas across North America, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Australia. This gig cements Shillong's status as a live entertainment hotspot. Over the last decade, the city has earned...

Meghalaya has sought a substantial increase in LPG supply from the Centre after facing reduced deliveries, particularly of commercial cylinders, affecting hotels and restaurants, a state minister said on Thursday. Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Methodius Dkhar said the state government has written to the Centre requesting a 50-60 per cent increase in LPG allocation, citing rising demand due to a surge in tourism and increased dependence on the fuel. "We have written to the Union minister to enhance the quota allocated to the state. In the last two days, we have received a slightly better supply of commercial cylinders, but it is still not at the level we used to get earlier," Dkhar told the media. To address the situation, the government has taken steps to preven...

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma has assured full support from the state government to the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) to help it carry out rule amendments and clear pending salaries of its employees. The assurance came after a meeting held in Shillong, where a delegation of Members of District Council (MDCs), led by Chief Executive Member (CEM) Thombor Shiwat, met the Chief Minister to discuss key issues affecting the council. During the meeting, the delegation raised concerns regarding the need to amend certain rules of the council to improve its functioning. They also highlighted the issue of unpaid salaries of council employees, which has been pending for some time and has affected the staff. Responding to these concerns, Sangma said the state governme...

The Meghalaya government admitted on Thursday that the “surplus” buffer for domestic LPG has evaporated, while a central supply cap has slashed commercial gas availability by 20 percent across the state. Food and Civil Supplies Minister Methodius Dkhar informed media persons that while there is currently no outright shortage of domestic LPG, the state no longer has the buffer it once had. “We used to have surplus availability during normal times, which is not the case now,” the minister said. Dkhar said that the distribution of domestic cylinders would be regulated to prevent panic and oversupply. The situation is more critical for the commercial sector with the minister confirming a 20 percent cap on supply imposed by the central ministry. This implies that the state is receiving sign...

Meghalaya will host the inaugural Indian Sailing League (ISL) from March 27 to 31 at the Orchid Water Sports Complex in Umiam Lake, marking a significant sailing event in India. The competition is set to attract 182 sailors from eight countries, highlighting the growing international interest in India's sailing circuit. Organized by the Umiam Sailing Club in collaboration with the state's tourism department and the United De Novo Association of Yachting (UDAY), the league will adopt a franchise-based format featuring 14 teams from various regions of India. Among the competing teams are the Shillong Umiam Navigators, Deccan Skippers, Goa Mariners, Chennai Sailing Knights, and Mumbai Meridians. The event will have 58 international sailors participating, thereby enhancing the competitive asp...

Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma has announced plans to set up a Film City as part of a broader push to build a film-making ecosystem in the state. He made the announcement while inaugurating the three-day Shillong International Film Festival at State Convention Centre here on Wednesday. Addressing the occasion, the Chief Minister positioned cinema as both a cultural and economic opportunity for Meghalaya, where a large young population is increasingly looking for non-traditional career avenues. “Our youth are immensely talented but lack platforms and an ecosystem to showcase their abilities,” he said, adding that filmmaking can generate jobs across sectors — from acting and direction to technical work, design, music and logistics. He said the proposed Film City is intended to anchor tha...

A high-level legislative committee has raised serious concerns regarding infrastructure deficiencies at the Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS) in Pahamsyiem, Nongpoh. The findings follow a critical inspection on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, which aimed to assess the school’s readiness to operate at full capacity. The Committee on Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly conducted the campus visit to review existing facilities and operational preparedness. The delegation was led by Committee Chairman and Nongstoin MLA Gabriel Wahlang, accompanied by members Ampareen Lyngdoh and Nongpoh MLA Mayralborn Syiem. During the visit, school officials briefed the panel on several early-stage challenges. A primary area of concern identified by the committee...

British rock band Def Leppard made their debut performance in India at Shillong, recognized as the "Rock Capital of India," on Wednesday evening. The concert attracted a diverse audience, ranging from long-time fans to younger attendees experiencing the band live for the first time, all contributing to an electrifying atmosphere in the hills of Shillong. The band later expressed their gratitude on social media, stating, "Thank you, Shillong, that was absolutely incredible. We will never forget our first time." Their energetic set included renowned hits such as "Hysteria," "Rock of Ages," "Photograph," and "Pour Some Sugar on Me," which incited enthusiastic participation from the crowd, creating a memorable night. Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma praised the event on social media, re...

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on March 25 inaugurated the first edition of the Shillong International Film Festival, asserting that the state is emerging as a hub of creativity and cinema. Describing the festival as a celebration of storytelling and artistic expression, Sangma said it offers a vital platform to showcase the talent of filmmakers and artists from Meghalaya and the wider Northeast region. He expressed satisfaction over the inclusion of international films in the inaugural edition, highlighting the festival’s global outlook.The Chief Minister noted that Meghalaya has long nurtured a deep appreciation for the arts, even when filmmakers and artists had limited institutional support. He said the government has taken several initiatives over the past eight years to ...