Meghalaya CM urges IIM graduates to approach life as 'marathon'

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma advised graduates at IIM Shillong's 16th Convocation to view their careers as endurance tests rather than sprints, emphasising persistence and passion as keys to long-term success.

 

"This is a marathon. Don't allow anything to distract you. As you move forward in life, you will face different situations and challenges. This is an important transition, and how you navigate it will define your journey," Sangma told the graduating class on Friday, April 4.

 

The Chief Minister shared personal experiences from his own career trajectory, including early setbacks that ultimately shaped his path to leadership.

 

"I remember standing at my own graduation, unsure of what to do next. But one thing I have learned along the way is that life is not about a single moment or event—it's about the entire journey," he said.

 

Sangma revealed how his first electoral defeat became a stepping stone rather than a stumbling block. "I lost my first election, but I learned from my failures. Eventually, I won and became an MP, then an MLA, then Finance Minister, and today, the Chief Minister."

 

Highlighting Meghalaya's economic transformation under his administration, Sangma noted that the state's GDP has more than tripled from Rs 9,000 crores to over Rs 30,000 crores in just three years, with significant increases in investments and strategic government expenditure.

 

The Chief Minister connected his current policy approaches to his academic background at The Wharton School, explaining how his dissertation research on governance and economic facilitation has informed his leadership.

 

"My academic research had focused on governance and economic facilitation, and 15 years later, as Chief Minister, I found myself implementing many of the ideas from my dissertation," he said. Sangma emphasised that government should be "minimal but highly facilitative" to ensure economic growth.

 

He underscored the importance of entrepreneurship at all levels of the economy, from large enterprises to small cooperatives, and encouraged graduates to value their educational experiences.

 

"Never underestimate the value of the conversations, experiences, and exposure you gain in a premier institution like IIM Shillong. The knowledge you acquire here may hold immense significance in your future, just as it did for me," Sangma advised.

 

The convocation was also attended by Ashish Modi, President of Honeywell India; Shishir Kumar Bajoria, Chairman of IIM Shillong's Board of Governors; and Professor DP Goyal, Director of IIM Shillong. The Chief Minister presented medals to outstanding students during the ceremony.