SHILLONG, Feb 21: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has recently approved the proposal of the state government to establish a memorial of Khasi freedom fighter, U Tirot Sing at the Indian Embassy in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Art and Culture Minister, Sanbor Shullai told reporters on Monday that the state government was thankful to the MEA for accepting the proposal to pay tribute to the Khasi freedom fighter who died in Bangladesh.
The initiative is a part of the celebration of India’s 75 years of Independence, the 50th year of the Bangladesh Liberation War and the 50th year of Meghalaya’s statehood.
Principal Secretary of the Art and Culture department, FR Kharkongor said the state government felt the need for a memorial for U Tirot Sing in Dhaka since he was one of the first tribal leaders of the freedom movement.
He said the MEA had written to the governments of the states adjoining Bangladesh last year to take up some unique projects as part of the 75th year of India’s independence or Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.
“We then wrote to MEA to help set up a small memorial of U Tirot Sing at the Indian Cultural Centre in the Embassy in Dhaka,” Kharkongor said.
He also said Meghalaya was one of the frontline states during the liberation war of Bangladesh and 2022 marks 50 years of bilateral relations between the two countries.
He further said the department commissioned some local artists to do the portrait, statute and murals of U Tirot Sing.
“Once it is complete, we will have an interaction with the Embassy officials. A cultural troupe from the state will be visiting Bangladesh after the COVID-19 situations improve,” he said.
Kharkongor said the memorial will happen this year.
