Meghalaya Unveils Autumn 2025 Calendar: Global Artists and Daily Music Festivals

Quick Summary

• Meghalaya’s Department of Tourism launched the Autumn Calendar 2025, showcasing festivals aimed at enhancing tourism and culture.
• Minister Paul Lyngdoh emphasized that these initiatives are investments in local talent, economic growth, and resource creation for essential sectors.
• The Chief Minister’s Meghalaya Grassroots Music Project (CM-MGMP) continues to spotlight local artists with daily performances state-wide; over the years, it has involved 7,750 artists in over 13,000 shows and generated 175 salaried jobs for crew members.
• CM-MGMP artists will perform internationally in Singapore’s North-East India Festival and Japan’s World Expo.
• Adventure sports like global kayaking competitions at Ri-Bhoi Whitewater Village add excitement to the calendar along with motorsport events that build Meghalaya’s cultural identity.
• This year’s Cherry Blossom Festival will feature international performers such as Jason Derulo, The Script, Nora Fatehi; past editions showcased Akon & Boney M resulting in economic profits (Rs 5 crore investment yielding Rs 60 crore return).
• Literary enthusiasts can enjoy the fifth Shillong Literary Festival featuring acclaimed authors.
• Winter Tales festival concludes the season with indigenous arts, crafts, music, food displays alongside storytelling sessions & cultural immersions.
• Last year’s overall expenditure of Rs 23.50 crore generated a significant return of Rs 133.42 crore through tourism-driven initiatives.

indian Opinion Analysis
Meghalaya’s curated Autumn calendar reflects an innovative approach to sustainable tourism development by leveraging cultural assets while supporting grassroots talent and fostering global connectivity through transnational platforms like festivals abroad. As evident from measurable profits last year (over six times returns on government spending), this model is proving transformational for regional economies-inspiring other states seeking ways to elevate local industries via strategic investments.

The inclusion of adventure sports underscores diversification in tourist attractions beyond arts/festivals-potentially aligning with India’s broader agenda to boost eco-tourism while preserving nature-rich environments like Ri-Bhoi’s whitewater sites.

Key challenges may involve maintaining balance between commercialization & authentic culture depiction but outcomes so far validate cautious optimism toward enabling long-term frameworks sustaining community empowerment across multi-sectors economy not merely entertainment-centric dimensions!

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