Discussions on cultural identity, community-led development, and new economic opportunities took centre stage at an interactive session held during Culinary Cascades at Ward’s Lake on March 28. The two-day festival, supported by Meghalaya Tourism, intersected with Seeti 2.0, a culinary heritage immersion programme, creating a joint platform for conversations on food, culture, storytelling and the state’s future trajectory.
Addressing the session IAS, Chairman and Managing Director of Meghalayan Age Ltd, , Dr. Vijay Kumar D said Meghalaya is steadily shaping a distinctive global narrative rooted in its culture, people and natural strengths. “We have an amazing story, and this story needs to be told,” he said, emphasising that the state is leveraging collaborations and creative platforms to highlight its identity and potential. Reflecting on past initiatives like the Meghalayan Age Festival—named after the globally recognised geological time scale that draws from the region—Kumar said Meghalaya is positioning itself as a hub of excellence, beauty and opportunity.
Outlining the state’s economic priorities, he noted that growth efforts are centred on agriculture and the services sector, with rising focus on value addition, food processing and tourism-led employment. Meghalaya’s premium organic produce—including Lakadong turmeric, pineapples, ginger and strawberries—is being channelled into stronger farm-to-market systems through processing units and entrepreneurial networks, he added.
Kumar also highlighted the importance of skilling for both local and global opportunities, citing successful international placements of nurses and emerging collaborations in specialised agricultural practices. On tourism, he said Meghalaya is moving toward decentralised and sustainable models, adopting a “low footfall, low impact, high value” approach while expanding beyond popular destinations.
Addressing concerns of cultural dilution amid increasing visibility, he reassured that economic aspirations are being carefully balanced with identity preservation. He cited the community-led nomination of the state’s living root bridges for UNESCO World Heritage status—an effort involving 86 villages—as a model of participatory governance.
Moderating the discussion, Image Guru and Litigation Landscaper Dilip Cherian said platforms like Culinary Cascades and Seeti 2.0 reflect national confidence in Meghalaya’s rising cultural and economic profile. “Bringing leading chefs and hospitality voices to Meghalaya is a vote of confidence in what the state is capable of,” he said, noting that such initiatives help bridge perceived geographic and cultural distances.
Cherian also stressed the need to articulate and strengthen local identity even as Meghalaya increasingly engages with national and global markets.
Seeti 2.0 has brought around 50 leading chefs, culinary experts and storytellers to Meghalaya for a five-day immersion into the state’s food heritage, indigenous ingredients and community practices. Aimed at elevating the Northeast within India’s culinary narrative, the programme concludes on March 31, while Culinary Cascades wrapped up in Shillong on Saturday.
