International Council for Education, Research and Training

Leadership and Political Participation of Garo Youth in Meghalaya: Empowering the Future Generation

Sangma, Bijime M.1 and Varma, S. Suchitra2

1Research Scholar, 2Assistant Professor

 

Department of Political Science & Public Administration, Annamalai University Annamalai Nagar, Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract

Leadership and political participation of Garo youth in the northeastern state of Meghalaya are a significant demographic, making up over 40% of the Meghalaya state’s population in India. The Garo community, one of the most prominent indigenous tribes in the region, has experienced significant cultural transformations over the years, but the preservation of their unique heritage and values remains crucial. Moreover, it also discusses the impact of youth participation and leadership on the overall development of Meghalaya, considering the perspectives of sustainable development, community cohesion, and cultural preservation. By incorporating the voices of Garo youth, they themselves provide an authentic and inclusive view of their aspirations, challenges, and visions for the future. The objectives of the research article are, firstly, to examine the role of Garo youth in actively engaging in social, political, and economic activities, as well as their growing involvement in leadership roles within their communities. Secondly, this research aims to identify the barriers that hinder the full potential of Garo youth and suggest potential solutions for enhanced empowerment. Thirdly, the study aims to explore effective measures and policy interventions that can enhance Garo youth engagement and leadership, thus contributing to the overall development and prosperity of the community while fostering a sense of pride and ownership among the youth for their cultural heritage and identity. This research article adopts descriptive-analytical and qualitative methods. The study is based on secondary sources such as magazines, books, articles, newspapers, and online resources related to the topic. The delimitation of the present study is that it focuses only on youth political participation in the Garo Hills of the State of Meghalaya.

Keywords: Political Participation; Leadership; Empowerment; Sustainable Development.

Impact Statement

                    Till today, very little is known about the leadership and political participation of Garo youth in Meghalaya. One obvious reason for this lack of information was the absence of comprehensive work on the subject by the Garo youth of the state. Of course, there were works that dealt with only some aspects of the social and political participation of youth in Meghalaya. This paper explains the declining leadership and political participation of Garo youth in Meghalaya. There are a number of factors, such as the lack of opportunities for Garo youth to develop their leadership skills, the negative perception of politics and government among many Garo youth, and the lack of interest in politics among many Garo youth. It is important to take steps to address the problem of low levels of leadership and political participation among Garo youth in Meghalaya. By supporting Garo youth to develop their leadership skills and to participate in political processes, we can help create a more inclusive, equitable, and prosperous Meghalaya for all. 

About The Author

 Ms. Bijime M. Sangma, Research Scholar, Department of Political Science & Public Administration, Annamalai University, Tamil Nadu, India, 608002.

ORCID ID: 000-0002-4893-2144

Area Of Specialization: Indian Government and Politics

I have attended Twenty-Five (25) workshops till date. Also, I have presented 5 Research Papers in National/International seminar.

Additionally, I have published 2 Research Papers

  1. Electoral Participation of Garo Tribe in Mendipathar, Meghalaya: A study of 2018 Legislative Assembly Elections, Neuroquantology 2022;20(12): 2372-2377
  2. Use of Technology in Classrooms: An Overview, Dogo Rangsang Research Journal, UGC CARE Group 1

Present Address: Murali’s Park Avenue, 2nd Cross, Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu -608002

Permanent Address: Bangsi Apal P.O. Dainadubi, North Garo Hills, Meghalaya -794110

     Dr. Suchitra Varma is Assistant Professor in the Dept. of Political Science & Public Administration, Annamalai University. She has done her Doctoral Research in Women Rights. She has organized three ICSSR National Seminars and coordinated several student centric academic programmes in the University. She has published twenty research articles in referred and UGC recognized journals. She has also participated various national seminars and conferences as resource person, delivered special lectures and presented research papers.

References
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