It has been reported that in 2019, 1 in every 8 people, around the world suffered from mental illness. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of people who suffer from anxiety and depressive illnesses greatly increased in 2020. Nearly one in five U.S. adults live with a mental illness. More than 15 million people – 30% of the UK population – live with one or more long-term conditions, and more than 4 million of these people will also have mental health problems. With about 150 million people in India estimated to live with a diagnosable mental health condition, and nearly 83% of individuals without access to mental healthcare services, the magnitude of the mental health crisis in the country is undoubtedly immense. The Union Budget 22 widely focused on mental health and the Government allocated 0.8% of the total health budget towards mental health. Nearly $5 million was earmarked for the National Mental Health Programme (NMHP). A ‘National Tele Mental Health Programme’ will be launched for better access to quality mental health counselling and care. While the implementation of these initiatives is still underway, few states have launched their own programs. Meghalaya became the first North Eastern state and the third in the country when the Meghalaya Cabinet approved the Meghalaya Mental Health and Social Care policy in November 2022, under the leadership of Chief Minister Shri Conrad Sangma.

The importance of improving mental health in achieving equity and vice versa has grown, as has the acknowledgement of people’s ability to live fulfilling lives as a key indicator of population well-being. While a larger part of the population was previously ignorant about the matter, consciousness and knowledge around mental health and wellness have been on the rise. The terrain of Meghalaya combined with the sociocultural factors made it necessary to create a policy that is culturally specific, feasible and sustainable interventions. The State’s mental health policy does just that. The goal of the Meghalaya mental health and social care policy is to allow appropriate access and care routes for both common and serious mental health disorders while also promoting general mental health and well-being. It seeks to lessen the severity of a disability, mortality, morbidity, and social misery. The Policy specifically focuses on children, adolescents and the youth. The policy aims to engage in collaborative engagement with the communities it wishes to serve in order to address the socioeconomic determinants of mental illness and promote cultural security. The culturally rooted policy aims to reduce the stigma associated with mental illness. The Policy will enhance reformation, rehabilitation, and recognition, which are crucial for raising awareness and developing support systems.

By addressing the social factors of mental illness and ensuring cultural competency, it aims to reduce the extent of disability, morbidity, mortality, and social suffering. Ensuring everyone has access to fair mental health and social care requires security and cooperative involvement with the communities. Social justice, happiness in life, self-healing, and inclusion in and engagement in the community are some of the Policy’s core beliefs. The NPP-led Government of Meghalaya aims to ensure that all sectors cooperate to alleviate distress, improve mental health and wellness and reduce disability arising from common and severe mental disorders across the lifespan of each person living in the state. All individuals have a fundamental right to well-being; thus, the state intends to work to foster a sense of life fulfilment, thriving, and hope, all of which have a favourable and mutually reinforcing effect on mental health. Adopting a transdisciplinary approach and drawing from the wisdom of multisectoral entities, a comprehensive, dynamic and adaptive mental health system that attempts to address the many dimensions of well-being and ill health has been developed.

The National Mental Health Policy (Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, 2014), which advocates for the integration of care across public mental health and health systems, with an emphasis on community living and special attention to vulnerable populations, also influences the Policy. Coordination and convergence between the social and health sectors are necessary to effectively address the social determinants of mental ill-health. According to the Meghalaya State Mental Health Policy, having access to mental health is a fundamental right.

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India’s tourism industry contributed $178 billion, or about 5.8 per cent, to the country’s gross domestic product in 2021. This will more than double to $512 billion by 2028, according to Government data. The tourism sector provides about 137 million jobs. The industry has been noticing historic high demands of rates and occupancies with domestic travel witnessing a surge. Other than scenic beauty, Meghalaya, in the new year, has a bouquet of festivals lined up, that are sure to please all kinds of travellers.

The Government of Meghalaya, under the leadership of CM Shri Conrad Sangma, envisions making Meghalaya, one of the top 10 states of the country and tourism plays a pivotal role in achieving this goal. The policies and programs implemented by the Government work towards trying to make Meghalaya the most sought-after tourist destination. Meghalaya, also known as the Abode of Clouds, is known for its abundant biodiversity areas, famed monsoons, and dramatic terrain. Still, Meghalaya also has a rich cultural and natural heritage, and many festivals are celebrated all around the year to commemorate the same. This makes Meghalaya the perfect destination for avid travellers around the globe who can immerse themselves in the vivid cultural heritage of the state. These festivals form an integral part of showcasing the cultural wealth of the State and unlocking its potential through tourism.

The four major cultural and religious festivals of the State are the Wangala Dance (Garo hills – November), Shad Suk Mynsiem and Nongkrem Dance Festival (Khasi hills – April and November), and the Behdeinkhlam Festival (Jaintia hills – July). In addition to these, the Government of Meghalaya also organizes a calendar of curated festivals ranging from Kayaking to music and literature. The significant among these are the Kayaking festival (October), the Autumn festival (October), the Boating Regetta (November), the International Film Festival (December) and the Winter Tales Festival (December).

The most prominent festivals are the Cherry Blossom festival and the Me.Gong Festival. One of the most vibrant and beautiful celebrations held each year in Meghalaya is the Cherry Blossom Festival, which takes place in Shillong. The Cherry Blossom festival is celebrated in Shillong during the month of November to mark the blossoming of the pink cherry flowers. It is a 10-day celebration comprising a series of events including music and literature festivals. The Me.Gong festival is celebrated during the first week of December in the Garo Hills. This celebration is given the name Me.gong after a flower that grows plentifully in the Garo Hills. The event showcases the traditions and cultures of the people through games, shows and performances. The three-day festival also showcases beverages from all over the area. 

Meghalaya has ample to offer to the zealous traveller with its unforgettable landscapes, table-top heights brimful with waterfalls, streams, and forest trails and postcard-perfect representations of life – complete with pastel green meadows, tall pine groves, crisp cool air, and quiet villages with quaint cottages and wooden fences spread across the countryside. It is, however, the State’s bouquet of festivities, owing to its many distinct tribal inhabitants and a vibrant and modern State capital, that truly make it stand out. Meghalaya is the perfect microcosm of the Northeastern part of this great nation and a must-see destination for the globe trotter. 

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Meghalaya’s tourist industry has the potential to grow significantly, and the state’s leaders have set their sights on making the most of this opportunity by establishing it as a regulated sector of the economy. Since Meghalaya became an independent state, the Tourism Department has worked to cultivate favourable conditions that would entice visitors from all over the world to come and enjoy the unique culture of the region. More capital must be invested in the industry, and there must be stronger ties to financial institutions as well as a focus on capacity training for the different stakeholders. There is a wealth of educated people and resources in Meghalaya that might help support the delivery systems, and the state’s natural scenery is stunning. Because of this, the government has made it a priority to foster tourism’s growth so that it may become a significant contributor to the State’s GDP.

Meghalaya is widely regarded as one of the most visually appealing states in the nation, and the state possesses sufficient tourism content and the potential to attract tourists with a wide variety of interests. As a result, it is anticipated that an increase in the number of tourists who travel to the state, as well as an acceleration in the flow of domestic and international tourists, will occur in the not-too-distant future. Foot traffic from tourists was 12.7 lakh in 2019, and it is anticipated that this number will exceed 15 lakh by the year 2024. While the number of tourists visiting the area is growing, efforts are being made to enhance the facilities in a way that is environmentally friendly. A comprehensive study of the tourism industry has shed light on a number of problems, one of which is a lack of adequate infrastructure in the form of accommodations for tourists.

The federal and state governments are also making efforts to promote Meghalaya as a travel destination, with a focus on a variety of elements including adventure, culture, and sustainable and ethical tourism. The government of Meghalaya, together with a number of other government and non-government organizations, has put on a number of events designed to entice tourists. The government has implemented a number of different initiatives, such as encouraging ecotourism and locally developed products, with the goal of making tourism more sustainable. Some recent examples can be seen in the Cherry Blossom Festival and the Shillong Literary Festival. While the main festivities of the Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival are held at Polo Ground, lesser celebrations extend around the city. The festival takes place in many locations, including Ward’s Lake. The lake is lovely at any time of year, but right now is exceptionally exquisite with its delicate pastel pink hue. The major festival location, Polo Ground, is situated within easy walking distance of Shillong Golf Course, often known as Golflink.In addition, Meghalaya hosted the great “Megha Kayak festival” in October 2022. This area receives some of the heaviest rain in the country, which helps to fill the many rivers in the region during the monsoon. This is the promised land for those who travel the rivers on their feet. The runoff causes dangerous rapids and imposing cascades that only a seasoned navigator should attempt. You may rest guaranteed that you will feel elated and fulfilled after completing each run. Meghalaya, with its varied landscape and perennial rivers fed by the strong monsoon and glacier melts, is emblematic of India’s potential as a global kayaking destination. That’s why some of the best kayakers in the world have been flocking there in recent years. Nouria Newman and Adrian Mattern were among the international kayakers that flocked to the Umtrew river in the East Khasi Hills in October 2022 for the Megha Kayak Festival.

This year, some of the most well-known bands in the country and abroad will perform at The Hills Festival in Meghalaya. Organizers of the festival have now released details about the performers and other attractions they have planned for the event’s attendees. The impressive line-up features musicians from all around the world, including TabaChake, Bloodywood, Hanumankind, Featherheads, Karan Kanchan, The F16S, DBryn, Trance Effect, and Daminot. This year’s event organizers have made a number of environmentally friendly changes in order to fulfil their duty to protect the environment. Everything at the venue, from the advertising backgrounds to the art installations, will be made from eco-friendly, cutting-edge technology.

In addition to these events, the government has launched a number of programs to improve the tourist industry’s infrastructure and train workers to serve visitors better. If the proper training is provided, the tourism industry may be a significant source of new jobs. The department’s mission training partners include IL&FS Education, B-ABLE, Avenues, ETPL India, IHM & FCI, etc. These collaborating organizations have extensive experience at both the national and international levels, making them ideal for supporting the tourism mission with the expertise it needs to succeed. There has been training in areas such as personal grooming and developing employable skills in hospitality and service, front desk work (including communication), housekeeping, food and beverage service, food and beverage production, outdoor and adventure activities, and the cultivation of masons’ and electricians’ tradesman ship. In the previous several months, about 1410 young people have been taught these skills by the training partners, and 574 of them have been put in various roles within and outside the state. The education and development of two thousand young people is the objective for the current year.

Homestay Scheme was launched to provide an opportunity for skilled citizens to start their own venture by constructing and managing a homestay. The Homestay Scheme was designed with convergence with the PMEGP Program to facilitate the construction of 2500 Homestays across the state to give an impetus to the tourism ecosystem of the state. With a subsidy of up to 70%, the scheme will facilitate the faster creation of tourism facilities within the state.

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Vivanta Meghalaya, Shillong was inaugurated by the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Shri. Conrad K. Sangma. The event was attended by cabinet Ministers, the Hon’ble member of Rajya Sabha from Meghalaya, the Chief Secretary, the Director General of Police, the Chairperson, MTDC, senior government officials, delegates from the media and members of the civil society.

The Chief Minister called this a truly momentous occasion in the history of Meghalaya. He highlighted that the work for the hotel had been going on since 1986 and could be completed only after a strong push was given by the current government. He congratulated and thanked all the stakeholders for completing the project despite the COVID-induced disruptions. With a built-up area of about 8,800 sq. m., the hotel has 101 rooms and other facilities including a speciality restaurant, coffee shops, bar, retail shops, and a banquet hall. It is owned by the Meghalaya Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) and has been leased out for a period of 33 years on a PPP mode to be operated by the IHCL. The Chief Minister also said that the Vivanta Meghalaya, Shillongalong with the upcoming hotel Courtyard by Marriott will give a huge boost to high-value tourism in the State. This model will be further replicated going forward to transform Meghalaya into the most preferred destination for ecotourism. Today we have handed over the hotel to IHCL and the hotel will soon be open for guests.

The Chief Minister reiterated his vision of transforming Meghalaya into the top 10 states within the next 10 years and said that tourism is at the core of realizing this vision. He said that the Government is developing tourism on a hub and spoke model wherein Sohra, Jowai, Shillong, Umiam and Tura will act as hubs and nearby rural tourist destinations will be developed as spokes. In line with this strategy, the Government has taken a number of initiatives to augment the accommodation infrastructure in the State. These include the construction of large resorts and tourism infrastructure in Sakaladuma in West Garo Hills, Shnongpdeng in West Jaintia Hills, Sohra in East Khasi Hills, Mawlyndep and Nongmahir in Ribhoi, Nongkhnum in West Khasi Hills, Thadlaskien in West Jaintia Hills and Pelgawari in South West Garo Hills. Tourism infrastructure and amenities at a cost of Rs. 5 -10 crores each, will also be set up in several villages.

To further augment the accommodation infrastructure, the ‘Homestay Scheme’ has been launched, wherein 2,500 accommodation units will be built over the next five years in convergence with the PMEGP. A subsidy of 35% is being given on loans of up to Rs. 10 lakh by the State government which is over and above the 35% subsidy being given by the Government of India under PMEGP. The residents stand to earn a monthly revenue of up to Rs. 50,000 by paying an EMI of just Rs. 5,000. The Government has received over 480 applications to date and has sanctioned Rs. 7.1 crores to build about 75 homestays.

In addition to accommodation infrastructure, the connectivity infrastructure is also being upgraded to decongest Shillong and provide connectivity to new destinations. A fleet of electric buses and luxury tourist vehicles will be introduced to add capacity to the transport sector. Further, the works for the iconic Shillong Peak Ropeway, being taken up at a cost of Rs. 140 crores, are also expected to commence by the end of this year. The Chief Minister also spoke about the ‘Meghalaya Grassroots Music Project (MGMP)’ as part of which regular musical performances are being organized in Shillong, Sohra, Tura and Jowai. Apart from providing livelihood opportunities to the artists and entrepreneurs, MGMP is also playing an important role in promoting the musical culture and heritage of the State and at the same time is also providing a unique experience for the tourists.

The State faces a shortage of high-quality rooms and the presence of five-star hotels in Shillong would allow the government to attract high-value tourists, host national and international music and sports events, and other seminars and conferences. The Chief Minister said that the Vivanta Meghalaya, Shillong would herald an era of luxury tourism in the State and will go a long way in fulfilling the aspirations of the residents of the State.

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Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K.Sangma launched the new website of Meghalaya Tourism – ‘Check into Nature’.

“Launched the new @meghtourism website. The website is a one-stop service platform for tourists that also incorporates the services of stakeholders like tour operators, hotels, etc apart from key information on tourism locations in #Meghalaya.” Sangma Tweeted

The state plans to promote safe and sustainable tourism practices by putting in place conscious principles to be adopted by the tourism stakeholders across Meghalaya keeping all COVID Protocols in mind.

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