Bollywood actor and Northeast United FC (NEUFC) founder John Abraham on Friday visited the iconic Ward’s Lake in Shillong, highlighting Meghalaya’s tourism, music and cultural heritage.
Abraham took a leisurely walk along the lake promenade, interacting with visitors and tourism stakeholders while admiring the scenic beauty and tranquil surroundings of one of Shillong’s most popular tourist attractions.
As part of the visit, he attended a special live performance by artists of the Chief Minister’s Meghalaya Grassroots Music Programme (CM-MGMP) and later interacted with the performers. He was briefed on the initiative, which aims to nurture Meghalaya’s rich musical heritage, support emerging artists and reinforce Shillong’s reputation as the Music Capital of India.
Describing Ward’s Lake as a “pristine and beautiful destination”, Abraham said it remains one of Meghalaya’s biggest tourist attractions. He praised the performances by the CM-MGMP artists, calling the experience “a revelation”, and lauded Chief Minister Conrad Sangma for creating opportunities that enable musicians across the state to showcase their talent, earn a livelihood and preserve Meghalaya’s rich musical traditions.
“I have come here for the first time and trust me, I will be back very soon in my own time, where I can just sit on a swing, walk on the bridge and spend some time,” Abraham said.
He also commended the Tourist Buddies initiative for assisting visitors and helping create a safer, more welcoming and tourist-friendly environment across the state.
Under the leadership of Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, the Meghalaya government has been investing in tourism infrastructure while promoting the state’s music, culture and festivals to strengthen its position as one of India’s leading tourist destinations.
By integrating tourism, music and community participation, Meghalaya continues to promote a tourism model that celebrates its natural beauty, artistic traditions and cultural heritage while creating opportunities for local artists and contributing to the state’s economy.
