48 Meghalaya youths to visit Philippines, Malaysia under CM-YEP

Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Tuesday announced that 48 youths from across Meghalaya have been selected to travel to the Philippines and Malaysia as part of the Chief Minister’s Youth Engagement Programme (CM-YEP) 2025. The announcement was made during the State-level CM-YEP event held at the Convocation Hall, North Eastern Hill University (NEHU) Campus, Shillong.
The programme, which will continue until December 5, is aimed at nurturing young minds and enabling them to serve as ambassadors of the state at national and international platforms. Sangma said that in addition to the international exposure, about 500 participants will be chosen to represent Meghalaya at the national level.
Highlighting the vision behind the initiative, the Chief Minister described CM-YEP as a transformational programme designed to empower youth through cultural exchange, leadership development, and skill enhancement. “The idea is to keep our youth engaged and busy through meaningful activities. These programmes lay the foundation for transformation, which will eventually lead to exponential growth in the days to come,” he stated.
Participants for CM-YEP were selected through block-level and district-level competitions, ensuring representation from across the state. The event witnessed a large turnout of young people who showcased their talents in arts, sports, innovation, science, and technology. Sangma also interacted with the participants, listened to testimonials from former beneficiaries, and shared the government’s vision for youth empowerment.
Two past participants, Trewasara Hadem from the 2023 batch and Jason Wahlang from the 2025 batch, recalled their enriching experiences during exposure trips to Indonesia and Vietnam respectively. They spoke of the cultural exchanges and meaningful interactions that shaped their perspectives.
Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Wailadmiki Shylla emphasized that Meghalaya is the only state to conduct youth engagement programmes at the block level. He noted that winners from the state-level event will proceed to the national youth festival, while runners-up will participate in the Northeast youth festival. “From here, there is also national and international exposure. I urge all of you to take the opportunity given to you,” he said.
The revamped CM-YEP 2025 is being celebrated across 56 blocks and one administrative headquarters. It provides a platform for young people to overcome stage fright, gain confidence, and showcase their talents in diverse fields including sports, traditional and modern music, painting, science, and innovation. The initiative seeks to prepare Meghalaya’s youth to take their skills to the global stage and bring back experiences to enrich their communities.