Shillong, July 31: A memorial of Khasi freedom fighter U Tirot Sing Syiem will be installed in Dhaka.
Arts and Culture Minister Paul Lyngdoh, who is camping in Delhi, told reporters on Monday via video conferencing that the life-size statue of the Khasi leader will be erected at the Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre (IGCC) in Dhaka.
Paul said the High Commissioner of India to Bangladesh Pranay Verma had written to him stating that they had agreed with the proposal of the state government for setting up the memorial of U Tirot Sing, who passed away in Dhaka jail.
Verma informed that the High Commission of India in Dhaka has taken up the proposal with the Ministry of External Affairs and ICCR and highlighted the importance of establishing such a memorial at IGCC, Dhaka.
According to the official, in line with the celebration of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mohotsav in Bangladesh, the Library of IGCC located at Dhanmondi would be a befitting location to install the life size sculpture/bust and portrait of U Tirot Sing,
Paul said the High Commissioner of India to Bangladesh also suggested that the library may be re-named as U Tirot Sing Memorial Library so as to spread the history and legacy of the prominent freedom fighter among the younger generation.
Verma wanted the state officials to coordinate with the Director, IGCC in Dhaka for delivery of the proposed sculpture/bust and portrait for installation, after which a suitable ceremony could be planned with high-level participation from Meghalalaya.
“We target to complete the entire process by November or December, this year,” the minister said.
Lyngdoh said the government would also seek the assistance of educationist Prof David Syiemlieh to access all documents related to U Tirot Sing like the date of his arrest and his passing away, from London for display at the IGCC library.
The minister felt that construction of a life- size statue and getting a library in Bangladesh named after the freedom fighter will be an achievement.
