Shillong (Meghalaya), Dec 1: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma today inaugurated the 6th Meghalaya Saras Aajeevika Fair 2025 at the U Soso Tham Auditorium, here. Praising the self-help group movement, the Chief Minister said it has been a transformative community-driven program empowering rural women, with 55,000 groups now operating in the state. These groups have not only focused on economic opportunities but also on nutrition, family planning and women’s empowerment.
Highlighting Meghalaya’s rapid economic growth, Sangma attributed it to government expenditure, capital investments and grassroots growth driven by self-help groups. He emphasized the importance of strengthening the institutional framework of SHGs through entrepreneurship programs.
The Chief Minister lauded the self-help groups for bringing about a difference and hoped that the spirit of helping one another and working together would continue to drive this transformation. During the event, awards were given to community cadres and village organizations supporting Integrated Child Development Services programs. Over 60 SHGs and rural entrepreneurs from Meghalaya and other states participated in the fair.
