Shillong, Nov 19: Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma officially inaugurated the 4th Shillong Literary Festival on Monday, highlighting the event’s role in providing a valuable platform for local writers to showcase their work and interact with national and international literary figures.

In his inaugural address, Sangma spoke about the importance of the festival in promoting Meghalaya’s literary talent. “This festival not only brings together writers from across the country and the globe but also offers our local authors a chance to expand their audience and share their creative expressions,” he said.

The event featured renowned authors such as Shobhaa De, Vikram Seth, and Jackie Collins, lending international prestige to the festival. Sangma also underscored the festival’s contribution to cultivating a culture of reading and writing, particularly among the youth, and encouraged schools to take part in fostering curiosity and creativity in students.

In addition, the Chief Minister highlighted the government’s commitment to preserving Meghalaya’s cultural heritage. He pointed to initiatives like the CM’s Scholars Program, which supports 50 research scholars dedicated to documenting various aspects of the state’s culture and history.

Concluding the ceremony, Sangma announced a major investment of 4,000 crore rupees to develop tourism infrastructure, including hotels, home-stays, and other facilities, as part of a larger effort to boost both tourism and the cultural significance of Meghalaya.