The initiative will also document customary institutions, festivals, material culture and the vitality of indigenous languages, while creating comprehensive digital archives to preserve knowledge for future generations. Officials said dedicated digital platforms have been developed to track the progress of the research, preserve knowledge resources and encourage public participation throughout the project. Addressing the meeting, Sangma said the initiative aims to build a robust, evidence-based understanding of Meghalaya’s indigenous heritage while safeguarding invaluable oral histories and cultural traditions. The initiative will involve collaborations with leading national and international academic institutions to undertake comparative historical, linguistic and cultural studies. According to the government, the ‘Tracing the Roots’ initiative seeks to preserve Meghalaya’s rich indigenous heritage through rigorous academic research, strengthen cultural identity and create a lasting knowledge repository for scholars, policymakers and future generations.