Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday praised Meghalaya’s ongoing transformation as a shining example of a resilient and self-reliant India. Sharing an article written by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Modi said the state’s progress symbolises the larger national vision of inclusive development and sustainable growth.
The article, posted by Sitharaman, highlights how strategic initiatives in Meghalaya—ranging from tourism to women-led development and green energy—have led to a profound socio-economic turnaround. “This piece by the Finance Minister captures the spirit of a new, aspirational Meghalaya. A model for the rest of India,” Modi wrote while reposting the article.
Empowering youth and women at the grassroots
At the heart of Meghalaya’s transformation lies the empowerment of its people, especially women and youth. The article draws attention to the pivotal role played by women-led Self-Help Groups (SHGs), which have become economic engines in rural areas. From local enterprises to community leadership, women in Meghalaya are now central to the decision-making and development processes.
In tandem, focused efforts on skilling and mobilising youth into productive sectors have significantly contributed to employment and innovation. Programs tailored to promote local entrepreneurship and eco-tourism have created sustainable livelihood opportunities and curbed outward migration.
Tourism as a catalyst for growth
Sitharaman underscored tourism as one of the key drivers of Meghalaya’s economic resurgence. Known for its natural beauty and cultural richness, the state has seen a rise in footfall and infrastructure upgrades in recent years. Community-based tourism models have been encouraged, with local residents trained to manage homestays and eco-tourist attractions.
This people-centric approach has ensured that tourism revenues benefit local populations directly. From Sohra’s waterfalls to the living root bridges of Mawlynnong, Meghalaya’s tourism industry is now firmly linked to its economic planning.
Energy and sustainability in focus
The Finance Minister also pointed to flagship national schemes contributing to the state’s progress, particularly the PM Suryaghar Muft Bijli Yojana. This initiative promotes solar energy access in remote villages and hill settlements. It aligns with the broader goal of energy self-sufficiency while reducing carbon footprints in ecologically sensitive zones.
Likewise, Meghalaya’s active participation in the Vibrant Village Programme has helped integrate its border communities with essential services and infrastructure. The scheme aims to reverse decades of isolation by investing in schools, healthcare, roads, and digital connectivity.
A new narrative for the Northeast
Modi’s endorsement of Sitharaman’s article also reflects the Centre’s broader intent to project the Northeast as a vital part of India’s growth story. The Prime Minister has often highlighted the region’s strategic importance, calling it a ‘gateway to Southeast Asia’ and a pillar of India’s Act East Policy.
Meghalaya’s transformation, therefore, serves as a template for balanced regional development. It demonstrates how focused investment, local leadership, and central schemes can collectively create measurable progress in regions once considered peripheral.
Conclusion
By spotlighting Meghalaya’s journey, PM Modi has reiterated his government’s commitment to a development model rooted in self-reliance and resilience. The synergy between state-level innovation and national-level support appears to be bearing fruit—positioning Meghalaya as a success story worth emulating across the country.
