Shillong, Nov 3 Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Tuesday said the state government has identified 11 villages to preserve indigenous traditions, traditional skills and knowledge while creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for artisans.
In a post on X after attending the State Level Living Heritage Arts and Craft Village Festival at U Soso Tham Auditorium here, Sangma said preserving cultural heritage required conscious efforts and sustained government intervention to ensure that traditions, skills and indigenous knowledge were passed on to future generations.
“Through the identification of 11 Arts and Craft Villages, the government is creating platforms to preserve traditional practices while supporting artisans and sustainable livelihoods,” he said.
The chief minister said the festival, organised as part of Jan Jatiya Gaurav Divas celebrations, was also an occasion to pay tribute to freedom fighters and personalities who had contributed to preserving and enriching the state’s arts, culture and traditions.
He said the occasion served as a reminder of the importance of honouring one’s roots and keeping living heritage alive for generations to come.
“Preserving our cultural heritage requires conscious efforts and sustained government intervention,” Sangma said, emphasising the need to ensure that indigenous knowledge and traditional practices were not lost over time.
The 11 Arts and Craft Villages initiative seeks to provide platforms for traditional artisans and communities to showcase their skills, sustain indigenous practices and strengthen livelihood opportunities through cultural preservation.
Jan Jatiya Gaurav Divas is observed to commemorate the birth anniversary of tribal freedom fighter Birsa Munda and recognise the contributions of tribal communities to India’s history and cultural heritage.
(PTI News)
