A high-level delegation from the Tribal Development Department of Himachal Pradesh undertook a five-day exposure visit to Assam and Meghalaya from April 25 to April 29, 2026, to study tribal governance systems, research institutions, and welfare practices in the North-Eastern states.
The delegation was led by Additional Chief Secretary Onkar Chand Sharma, who stated that the visit aimed to understand successful models of tribal research, policy planning, and community engagement being implemented in the region.
During the visit, the team held detailed discussions with Principal Secretary (Arts & Culture), Government of Meghalaya Frederick Kharkongor in Shillong, focusing on initiatives related to tribal research, cultural preservation, and institutional frameworks supporting indigenous communities.
The delegation also met Additional Chief Secretary, Tribal Affairs, Government of Assam Sweety Changson and senior officials in Dispur. The discussions covered welfare schemes, administrative mechanisms, and best practices adopted for tribal upliftment and development.
Sharma noted that the exposure visit provided valuable insights into research-driven policy formulation and participatory development approaches. He added that the learnings would be used to further strengthen tribal welfare programmes in Himachal Pradesh, especially in areas such as cultural preservation, inclusive growth, and evidence-based planning.
Officials described the visit as an important platform for knowledge exchange, which is expected to help enhance ongoing tribal development initiatives in the state.
Nurturing Creativity – Keekli Charitable Trust, Shimla
