Shillong, Oct 13: Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Wailadmiki Shylla on Monday announced that the state government will bear all passport application expenses for youth selected for international exposure tours under the Chief Minister’s Youth Engagement Programme, along with financial assistance and stipend.
Addressing the grand inaugural ceremony of the 2nd State-Level Chief Minister’s Youth Engagement Programme (CMYEP) 2026 at Lariti Performing Centre, Mawkasiang, Shillong, Shylla said future editions will also ensure full inclusivity for youths with disabilities.
“With 52 percent of Meghalaya’s population under the age of 20, the state government has decisively invested in this demographic advantage by scaling the annual sports and youth budget from Rs 30-40 crores to over Rs 840 crores,” the Minister said.
“Meghalaya is the only state in the country where we have the youth engagement programme from the block level,” he said, adding that this year’s edition reached approximately 14,000 participants across all 56 C&RD blocks.
Sharing his personal journey and early exchange experience to Japan, Shylla said the upcoming Philippines delegation and future international tours will be fully supported by the government.
“I am very thankful to our Honourable Chief Minister who have really put out the youth of our state and really have prioritised our youth,” he said, thanking Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma for championing the initiative.
Director of Sports and Youth Affairs Alertson Nongbri said the programme, themed “Young Meghalaya, Shaping Tomorrow,” extends its reach to the grassroots and provides structured pathways for state, national and international exposure.
He said the five-day camp will feature Nasha Mukt Yuva activities, declamations on artificial intelligence, climate change and nation-building, science exhibitions, traditional folk arts and adventure sports to foster self-reliance and leadership.
The inaugural event was marked by a captivating solo performance by Shelevah N Jyrwa, who is preparing for Britain’s Got Talent, and a group performance by “Kawei Ka Sur.”
Former participants Wanmi R Makdoh and Twinklexilingshi Lyngdoh recounted their transformation from block-level declamation contests to international exposure in Malaysia. Wanmi went on to represent Meghalaya in the Parliament of India and host major championship events.
Organised by the Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs, the CMYEP is positioned as a cornerstone of Meghalaya’s inclusive growth agenda, aiming to build robust human capital and envisioning youth not merely as participants but as principal architects of a progressive and self-reliant future.
Day 3 will feature adventure activities at Lumparing Adventure Camp, inter-district quiz, painting, poetry, solo guitar and group folk songs. Day 4 will have Science Exhibition cum Mela, tug of war and talent show, culminating in the valedictory ceremony on Day 5.
Also Read: JNC cracks down on non-tribal traders in Khliehriat, warns of revenue loss to JHADC
Also Watch
Find latest news from every corner of Northeast India at hubnetwork.in, your online source for breaking news, video coverage.
Also, Follow us on-
Twitter-twitter.com/nemediahub
Youtube channel- www.youtube.com/@NortheastMediaHub2020
Instagram- www.instagram.com/ne_media_hub
Download our app from playstore – Northeast Media Hub
The post Meghalaya government to bear passport costs for youth selected for foreign exposure: Shylla appeared first on Hub News.