SHILLONG: The much-anticipated unveiling of the Khasi Freedom Fighter U Tiro Sing Syiem was held at the Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre in Dhaka on Friday.
The unveiling ceremony, attended by dignitaries including the Deputy Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Sniawbhalang Dhar, and the High Commissioner of India to Bangladesh, Pranay Verma, marked a poignant tribute to Tirot Sing’s enduring legacy of resistance against British colonialism.
Speaking at the ceremony in Dhaka, Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar paid heartfelt tribute to U Tirot Sing, highlighting his symbolic significance in embodying the resilience of the Khasi community.
Dhar articulated that the establishment of a memorial in Dhaka, where Tirot Sing made the ultimate sacrifice, serves as a fitting homage to the Hero of the Khasi Hills.
Historian and former Chairman of the Union Public Service Commission, David R. Syiemlieh, shed light on Tirot Sing’s remarkable life and bravery, recounting his pivotal role in leading an attack against colonial forces on April 8, 1829.
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Tirot Sing’s foresight in thwarting British attempts to subjugate the Khasi Hills, disguised under the guise of road construction, exemplifies his unwavering dedication to his people’s freedom, he said.
In Shillong, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, while highlighting the Freedom Fighter’s valour, took to a micro-blogging website and wrote, “U Tirot Sing Syiem’s valour in protecting his people and his land will forever make him one of the fiercest freedom fighters of the region and the country. We bow to his courage, his sacrifice and his unyielding resolve.”
The occasion also witness the release of two animated books detailing the remarkable life and struggles of U Tirot Sing, further cementing his place in history.
The life-size statue and bust of U Tirot Sing Syiem, are the remarkable creations of Shillong-based sculptor Raphael Warjri, authorized by the Arts and Culture department.
The unveiling is the result of collaborative efforts spearheaded by the state’s Department of Arts and Culture with support from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the Indian High Commission in Dhaka, the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), and the IGCC.
