SHILLONG/NONGSTOIN: Several progammes were held across the state to commemorate the 183rd death anniversary of U Tirot Sing Syiem on Tuesday with the government assuring that Tirot Sing indigenous centre will come up in WKH village.
During a tribute function in Nongkhlaw village, Tourism Minister said, “ Government will setup a Tirot Sing Indigenous Knowledge & Cultural Centre with an estimated cost 2.50 crore at the village, where the Khasi Patriotic Home will be reconstructed with a suitable model to attract the tourists”.
He also assured that the government will enlist Nongkhlaw as one of the places for tourist interest.
The chief guest also inaugurated the Tirot Sing playground at the village.
The tribute programme was also attended byMatsiewdor War, Director of Sports & Youth Affairs and Arts & Culture.
The programme, which was organised by the Tirot Sing Syiem Death Anniversary Committee Nongkhlaw, started with a floral tribute followed by a colourful programme .
Leader with a vision
Speaking at a related programme in Mairang, Health Minister A.L Hek said, “The life of U Tirot Sing Syiem is the best example for us to follow, especially in conquering the challenges we face in our personal lives and as a society as a whole.” Extolling the virtues of the great Khasi chieftain, Hek, who was also the chief guest, further said that the freedom fighter was a leader with a vision, who thought about the welfare of his people and his land. As a chieftain he did not make hasty decision but sought the counsel of the durbar for deciding matters of grave importance.
Citing an instance on this quality of Tirot Sing, the minister reminded the gathering that when the British agent, David Scott’s sought permission to build a road through Nongkhlaw kingdom, the great leader convened a meeting of the Durbar wherein the matter was deliberated upon for two days and two nights, ultimately deciding against the proposal for the welfare of the people.
The commemorative programme was organised by the Nongkhlaw Syiemship and saw the participation of scores of people who turned up to pay obeisance to the great Khasi freedom fighter.
KHADC CEM, H S Shylla, who was the guest of honour, also spoke on the occasion.
Earlier in the day, Hek, Shylla, Syiem and Myntri of Hima Nongkhlaw paid floral tributes at the monument dedicated to Tirot Sing at Mot Tirot Ground.
In-house commemoration
The North East Slow Food and Agrobiodiversity Society (NESFAS) also organised an in-house commemoration to honour the legacy of U Syiem Tirot Sing.
Dr. Carl. O. Rangad, Vice-Chairman (Operations) NESFAS, shared the story of Tirot Sing’s leadership.
Rangad said the achievement of the freedom fighter should be endorsed on a national level, adding “The legacy of this great leader is of fighting against all odds, even if it means fighting against guns and bullets with the available bows and arrows for the right cause.”
Cleaning drive
The Meghalaya and Greater Shillong Progressive Hawkers and Street Vendors Association conducted a cleaning drive across the city, including Laitumkhrah, Fire Brigade, Barik-Civil, Police Bazar, Polo, Motphran-G.S Road and Anjalee in commemoration of the state’s Tirot Sing Day. The drive was a way in which the hawker community wanted to show to the public their concern and love for the safety and cleanliness of public spaces in the city.
“We would like to reiterate our position as concerned citizens whose relationship with the streets of Shillong is not parasitic but also mutually beneficial. The streets are our work spaces which we value and respect and would therefore continue to consistently contribute to their physical as well as cultural well-being as much as we can,” the association said.
Function at Don Bosco museum
Meanwhile, Education secretary of Khasi Students Union (KSU) Readyonstone Nongrum said some of the students do not know about the story of Tirot Sing.
He was speaking at the programme organised by Don Bosco Centre for Indigenous Cultures (DBCIC)/Don Bosco Museum in collaboration with 93.5 Red FM, Shillong, to mark the freedom fighter’s 183rd death anniversary at Don Bosco Museum, Mawlai on Tuesday. He added that on the part of KSU, it would organise the Khasi National Awakening Day on April 4 to spread knowledge of the freedom fighter.
Assistant programming head of the radio station, Desmond Sun said knowledge should be imparted to the young ones about Tirot Sing on his contribution to the freedom struggle against the British.
Manoj Churuliyil Abraham, Director DBCIC and the chief guest of the occasion, said, “He is a hero because he was so proud of his identity, his culture, his country. Respecting and protecting our country, our identity as a particular culture with its beautiful tradition is also patriotism. In a country like ours, there are various cultural identities and it is important to integrate these individual identities to have a greater identity, as Indians.”
Around fifty participants from various schools, colleges and institutions took part in the painting competition organised on the theme “U Tirot Sing khlawait ka ri”. Kazi Nasir and Jayanta, renowned artistes and sculptors from Kolkata together with Careen J. Langstieh and Oliver W. Lyndem, local artistes were the judges of the painting competition.
Programmes such as patriotic songs and open quiz, conducted with incentives for the audience on the theme of the day, added life and vibrancy to the entire schedule.
At the concluding ceremony, the six winners from student and adult categories were awarded with cash prizes and certificates while other fifteen meritorious artists were given a certificate of participation each.
