DIPR Meghalaya

04/09/2026

More than 1100 Youths Register at Recruitment Drive in West Jaintia Hills.

More than 1100 youths from across the four blocks and Jowai Urban of West Jaintia Hills District registered for varìous jop opportunities offered during the recruitment drive conducted by the Meghalaya State Skilled Development Society.

The recruitment drive provided job seeking youths with an opportunity to register for available jobs and explore employment opportunities suited to their interest and qualification.

The office of the MSSDS, West Jaintia Hills informed that registration is still open. Interested job seekers can visit the MSSDS office at Deputy Commissioner's office, on the 3rd Floor, Jowai.

04/09/2026

04/09/2026

5th Sohra International Half Marathon 2026 Reinforces Meghalaya’s Commitment to Sports and Fitness

~ A Record-Breaking Turnout: 2026 Edition Welcomes 11,672 Registered Runners; Satish Kumar Verma, Tejaswini Narendra Lambkane Triumph in Elite 21 km Race~

~ India’s Ultramarathon Icon Sukant Suki Singh graces the event to Inspire Participants~

Shillong, September 04, 2026: The 5th Sohra International Half Marathon 2026 was successfully held today, bringing together regional, national, and international athletes to Meghalaya. The event was organized by the Meghalaya State Olympics Association (MSOA) in collaboration with the Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs, Government of Meghalaya, Meghalaya Athletics Association and official recognised by the Athletics Federation of India (AFI).

The 2026 edition saw the registration of 11,672 runners across all categories, reflecting the growing engagement with the State's sports initiatives. Participation included international athletes and runners from other states, confirming the event's expanding national and global footprint.

In his keynote address, Shri Wailadmiki Shylla, Hon’ble Minister, Department of Sports and Youth Affairs, Government of Meghalaya highlighted the event's remarkable evolution from a modest starting field of 750 runners to nearly 12,000 participants. He explained that registration was deliberately capped to ensure high-quality logistical support and proper facilities for all runners, noting that demand would have otherwise easily exceeded 20,000.

Welcoming athletes representing almost 24 states across the country, Shylla emphasized the marathon's widespread socio-economic impact, which directly benefits local homestay operators, transport providers, and farmers, while establishing Sohra as a top-tier sporting destination beyond its traditional fame for rain and waterfalls. Stressing the vital role of physical endurance and mental health, he urged departing participants to serve as goodwill ambassadors for Meghalaya's hospitality. Looking ahead to upcoming athletic milestones, he reaffirmed the state government's commitment to preparation as Meghalaya prepares to host the 39th National Games next year, pledging to make it one of the best and most memorable national games in the country's history.

Shri Sukant Suki Singh, the ‘First Indian to Complete Three 200-Mile Ultramarathons, praised Meghalaya’s exceptional sports infrastructure and natural beauty, identifying the state as the future sporting capital of India. He specifically commended the Hon’ble Chief Minister, Shri Conrad K. Sangma, for completely transforming the region’s sports landscape and actively nurturing athletic talent from a young age. Highlighting the availability of world-class facilities, Suki emphasized that the government's visionary approach to youth sports and community building is setting a benchmark for the rest of the country.

It witnessed strong performances across all its competitive categories, with Satish Kumar Verma emerging winner in the Elite Men’s 21 km category with a timing of 1:03:04, and Tejaswini Narendra Lambkane claiming the Elite Women’s title in 1:15:20. In the Meghalayan categories, Wolbetstar Ramsiej topped the Men’s 21 km race in 1:03:26, while Marqueenless Ramsiej emerged winner in the Women’s category with a timing of 1:23:55.

In the 10 km event, Wankyrmen L Mawphlang won the 18–39 Years Men’s category in 28:28, while Daplin Wahlang topped the corresponding Women’s category in 37:20. Bharat Bhushan emerged winner in the 40–54 Years Men’s category with a timing of 29:14, while Mena Mary Wahlang led the Women’s category in 41:55. In the 55 Years & Above category, Swonding Mawlong won the Men’s race in 38:07, while Thlingda Wanniang topped the Women’s event in 45:00.

In alignment with the event's prestigious international certification, the prize purse for the Elite Category (Men and Women) was officially doubled from previous editions, offering ₹3,00,000 for 1st prize, ₹2,00,000 for 2nd prize, and ₹1,00,000 for 3rd prize; and consolation prizes of ₹ 10,000 each went to those from fourth to eighth. Beyond the elite showdown, cash prizes were handed across multiple categories, featuring ₹50,000 for the 21km Meghalaya Open champion, ₹30,000 for the 10km Meghalaya 18-40 winner, and ₹25,000 for winners in the 10km Meghalaya 40-55 and 55-plus brackets.

Event logistics, route management, and crowd control were executed by coordinated teams of volunteers and the state police department. Participant safety was monitored by dedicated medical teams comprising doctors and paramedics, with water stations systematically installed along the designated routes.

Notably, the 5th Sohra International Half Marathon is officially recognized and certified by Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS). By organizing athletic events of such calibre, the State aims to provide a competitive platform for local athletes while simultaneously encouraging the public to adopt fitness-oriented lifestyles.

Sd/-
Sub-Divisional Public Relations Officer
Sohra Civil Sub-Division

03/09/2026

St. John’s HSS Tops Medal Tally as 2nd District Level Inter-School Games Conclude in Tura

Tura, September 3: The 2nd District Level Inter-School Games 2026, organised by the Office of the District Sports Officer, West Garo Hills, Tura, concluded on Wednesday at Don Bosco College, Tura, after four days of competition among school students from across the district.

The closing ceremony was graced by Shri Thomas A. Sangma, Speaker of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly, as the Chief Guest, along with other dignitaries, officials, teachers and participants.

St. John’s Higher Secondary School emerged as the overall champion, finishing at the top of the medal standings with 12 Gold, 4 Silver and 9 Bronze medals. Sherwood Secondary School secured the runners-up position with 7 Gold, 11 Silver and 13 Bronze medals.

Although Sherwood Secondary School won a higher number of medals overall, with 31 medals compared to St. John’s 25, the final ranking was determined primarily by the number of Gold medals won. St. John’s secured five more Gold medals than Sherwood, placing it at the top of the overall standings.

Under the conventional medal tally system used in sporting competitions, Gold medals are considered first when determining rankings, followed by Silver and Bronze medals when the number of Gold medals is equal. On this basis, St. John’s Higher Secondary School was declared the overall winner, while Sherwood Secondary School finished as runners-up.

The concluding day also featured the much-anticipated basketball final between Don Bosco Higher Secondary School, Tura and Don Bosco Higher Secondary School, Rongkhon. Don Bosco HSS Tura emerged victorious, defeating Don Bosco HSS Rongkhon 54–33.

Addressing the gathering, Speaker Thomas A. Sangma appreciated the Sports Department and the District Sports Officer for organising the inter-school games and providing students with an opportunity to compete across multiple sporting disciplines.

He expressed his happiness over the participation of more than 1,000 students, congratulating all the participants for their efforts and sportsmanship. He also noted that a wide range of disciplines had been included in this year’s edition and congratulated the parents, teachers, officials and everyone involved in making the event a success.

The four-day event brought together more than 1,000 students from 46 schools under Selsella, Gambegre and Tura. Competitions were conducted across three age categories — Under-14, Under-15 and Under-17 — in eight disciplines: Volleyball, Basketball, Taekwondo, Swimming, Kabaddi, Badminton, Athletics and Table Tennis.

The successful conclusion of the games marked another step towards strengthening school-level sports and providing young athletes with a platform to showcase their talent and competitive spirit.

03/09/2026

The Draft Meghalaya State Agriculture Policy, comprising 10 (ten) Sections and 2 (two) Annexures in 61 (sixty-one) pages, has been placed in the public domain for review and comments. The Policy is at the draft stage, and the Department invites suggestions from the general public, institutions and interested stakeholders.

Suggestions may be sent to [email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected].

Contributors are requested to indicate the relevant Section and page number while submitting their comments.

Further, the Department will hold a series of stakeholder consultations with different groups, including farmers’ groups, cooperatives, entrepreneurs and the scientific community.

This policy will be in the public domain till 30th September, 2026.