True leadership is not about power, but about empowerment: M’laya Governor

Meghalaya Governor CH Vijayashankar on Friday said, true leadership is not about power, but about empowerment.
“Leadership is not merely a title or position, but a responsibility rooted in character, quality and service to society,” Vijayashankar said in his interaction with 25 youth delegates selected for the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue (VBYLD) 2026 here at Lok Bhavan.
These participants have qualified to represent the state after a gruelling qualifying process held across the country and will be interacting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 11 during a National Youth Festival
Vijayshankar exhorted the youth to remain disciplined, consistent and committed to their goals and make meaningful use of the national platform to present their ideas to develop the country further.
Citing the example of Rifiness Warjri, an NCC cadet from Meghalaya, who scaled Mount Everest at the age of 20, Vijayashankar said her achievement demonstrates clarity of purpose, planning and perseverance can enable youth to overcome challenges and achieve the extraordinary.
Meghalaya has secured representation in the Viksit Bharat – Design for Bharat track, with two students from the National Institute of Technology, Shillong, Nishant Kumar Singh and Necharika Singh, selected at the national level.
Their innovation, a Smart Braille Watch, is an assistive wearable device designed to enable visually impaired individuals to access time and notifications through tactile Braille output.
The wearable device enables visually impaired individuals to access time and notifications through tactile Braille output.
The project focuses on affordability, portability and ease of use, addressing limitations associated with existing Braille devices.
Meanwhile in the VBYLD category, one of the participants, Ashita Kar, a Class XI student from East Khasi Hills district, said she will be presenting her vision on a future-ready workforce for Viksit Bharat.
“This is my second time participating in the National Youth Festival as part of the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue. I will be presenting my vision on building a future-ready workforce for Viksit Bharat. I hope ideas of the youths are heard and implemented towards Viksit Bharat 2047,” Kar said.
Another student Akbarlang Synteng Nongdhar from East Khasi Hills district will represent Meghalaya in the folk dance category and said: “as a youth, we look forward to guidance and more such opportunities to showcase our culture, heritage and talent on a national platform.”
Elbonson Marbaniang, a football coach from Mawsynram, East Khasi Hills District, said : “We will be performing the traditional folk dance ‘Ka Shad Mastieh’ in New Delhi. We hope to represent Meghalaya with pride and perform our best in front of delegates from across the country.”