A satellite called Shillong

Termed as one of the strongest and most 'peaceful' markets in north-east India, Shillong, the pride of Meghalaya has an interesting story to tell. Like most of its neighbors, the IT industry in the capital of Meghalaya grew up at a pretty unplanned pace with some of the entrepreneurs considering the 'IT game' a safe bet but not worthy of being a focus area. The situation remained such for most of the late ‘80s with the state government suddenly starting to roll out key projects.

The natural inclination thus came in favor of IT with some companies considering the venture worthwhile investment. Until now, the key segment still remains the state government followed by the defense segment and the growing BFSI and telecom industries. Retail, however, is still suffering from its own constraints.

The mode of channels trading, however, continued to remain on core supplies and solutions or reselling as a result did not drew in much attention. States like Sikkim, Mizoram, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh also saw a dramatic fall in the number of established companies implying that the market is indeed proliferating in its own capacity when it was deemed to be on an expansion mode.

However, as supplies continue to feature as the prime channel activity in Shillong, distribution segment is almost nearly absent with the partners stocking supplies from distributors in the nearby Guwahati which is just 4 hours drive away. Also, same is the case with retail and SOHO segments as consumers prefer to make their purchases from the capital of Assam. The result being, Shillong emerging in the channel ecosystem as a satellite of the greater Guwahati which is the big-brother of the Seven Sisters.

Even as the utter lack of the distribution segment and the under-developed retail market depicts an appalling situation, most of the older stock of channel partners in Shillong have been very consistent with their trade in supplies, either to the state government or defense or the emerging BFSI and telecom sectors.

Every market in East India has a paradigm and modus-operandi of its own and Shillong is no exception. The growing interest in IT and gadgets among the local populace may take Shillong to newer heights and maybe someday, Shillong will gain control over IT operations in Meghalaya too.