Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 60/25

MEGHALAYA STATE SKILL DEVELOPMENT SOCIETY

With an aim to develop Meghalaya as an epicentre of hospitality and tourism, the Meghalaya State Skill Development Society MSSDS organised a tourism and hospitality stakeholder discussion at the State Convention Centre, Shillong, on June 4, 2025. Participants involved were hoteliers, homestay owners, representatives of the Indian Institute of Hotel Management IHM, placement companies, owners of small-scale street fast food joints, and local training providers empanelled with MSSDS.

Shri Jagdish Chelani, in his presentation, reiterated the young potential and skilled manpower. He stated that by 2030, the State government, with MSSDS, aims to establish a world-class skill development ecosystem to boost employment and economic growth. He informed that the State government has the goal to train 1.5 lakh youths, with 70 percent securing job and entrepreneurship opportunities. Under MSSDS, we have trained over 24560 youths from across 12 districts. We have 102 training providers and 307 training centres in 28 different sectors, securing 149 trades, he added.

Subsequently, in a strategic move to strengthen the tourism sector and harness the potential of Meghalayas youth, a Memorandum of Understanding MoU signing ceremony took place between MSSDS and North East Maritime Associates NEMA. The MoU was signed between Shri Jagdish Chelani, IAS, Executive Director, MSSDS, and Smt Ishita Chattopadhyay, Managing Director and CEO of Confidence Shipping, NEMA.

The agreement aims to establish a state-of-the-art hospitality training ecosystem in Meghalaya, creating sustainable job opportunities in yacht, river tourism, cruise lines, maritime hospitality, hotels, hospitals, resorts, and tourism operations, homestays, B and Bs, and domestic hospitality services.

During the programme, presentations were conducted by MSSDS Industry Partners, 2COMS, Asporea, Saathiya, Runo Health with Mihmyntdu Community Social Welfare Association, Ascensive Educare, and North East Maritime Associates NEMA with the Institute of Hotel Management, Shillong.

Later, to make the day more interactive and constructive, an open discussion moderated by Shri Jagdish Chelani, IAS, Executive Director, MSSDS, Smti Dr Balabynta Kharshiing, Principal, IHM, Shri Parambir Singh Sehdave, President, Federation of Shillong Hotels, and E B Blah, Proprietor, Clara Tours, took place with homestay representatives, hotelier representatives, tour operator representatives, and local training providers.