From Our Correspondent

TURA, May 19: Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Tuesday inaugurated the newly relocated 41 Meghalaya Battalion NCC at Cherangre, Tura, as he assured that the state government will continue to support the strengthening of NCC infrastructure and youth-focused initiatives across Meghalaya.

Describing the occasion as "momentous", the chief minister said that the establishment of the battalion in Tura was "almost like a dream come true" and highlighted the role of the National Cadet Corps (NCC) in instilling discipline, patriotism, leadership and character among young people.
"The NCC instils discipline, patriotism, hard work and values that shape young people into responsible citizens," he said, while stressing that youth empowerment remains one of the government's highest priorities.
Recalling his childhood aspirations of joining the armed forces and later becoming a police officer, Conrad said the discipline and dedication associated with uniformed services had deeply inspired him from a young age.
The chief minister stated that development should not merely be measured through infrastructure or expenditure but by the number of lives positively transformed through such investments.
Referring to Meghalaya's recently announced Youth and Sports Policy, he said the initiative provides a roadmap for empowering youths through education, sports, culture, entrepreneurship and skill development.
"This is not an expenditure-it is an investment. The returns from investing in our youths will be far greater than the money spent," he remarked.
Highlighting Meghalaya's growing recognition at the national and international levels, Conrad said the state now has the confidence to dream big and compete alongside larger states.
It may be mentioned that the 41 Meghalaya Battalion NCC traces its origins to the 15 Assam Artillery Battery NCC raised in 1961 and was upgraded as the 41 Meghalaya Battalion NCC in October 2020.
The battalion currently oversees NCC training activities across five districts of Garo Hills.
Under the Border Area Expansion Plan, the unit has expanded its reach from three colleges and six schools to seven colleges and 18 schools, with nearly 2,400 cadets enrolled as of May 2026.
The battalion was officially relocated from Shillong to Tura on March 3, 2026, with additional land and infrastructure support provided by the government to strengthen its operations in the region.
The programme also featured a Guard of Honour, ribbon-cutting ceremony, unveiling of the commemorative plaque, tree plantation, cultural presentations, felicitation of cadets and interaction sessions with former NCC cadets.
The programme concluded with the NCC song, National Anthem, group photograph and interaction with media persons.