Shillong (Meghalaya), Sept 4 : As part of the ongoing celebrations of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, India@75, ensuing Golden Jubilee of Statehood, Meghalaya@50 and to commemorate 50 years of Liberation of Bangladesh & Bilateral friendship, a symbolic programme, was held at the India-Bangladesh border at Dawki-Tamabil, for handing over to the Indian High Commission, selected Meghalaya cultural artefacts & the state’s unique textiles, for permanent & dedicated display at the Cultural Centre, of the Indian High Commission at Dhaka to celebrate and showcase Meghalaya.
This follows a request made by the High Commissioner of India to Bangladesh, Dhaka to the State Government earlier this year.
At a brief function, held at the International border today, the Assistant High Commissioner, Sylhet thanked the Meghalaya Government for sharing the tribal artifacts & unique textiles to commemorate the 3 significant events. A representative of the Bangladesh Government also spoke at the event and highlighted the age old ties and people to people contact that exist between Meghalaya & Bangladesh.
In his keynote address, F.R. Kharkongor, Commissioner & Secretary, Arts& Culture & Textiles, representing the State Government, expressed satisfaction, that this exchange could be held today despite challenges posed by COVID 19.
He emphasized on the significance, of the 3 events of India@75, Meghalaya@5O & 5O years of bilateral friendship with Bangladesh and also highlighted at length Meghalaya’s contribution as a frontline line state, towards the liberation of Bangladesh & the States 5O years of Statehood.
He also highlighted that MEA had recently, been in touch with the State Government, with a request to identify a partner country, that has a historical resonance with Meghalaya.
The State Government had identified Bangladesh, in the context of U Tirot Sing, the states foremost freedom fighter, who was exiled by the British to Dhaka, after the Anglo-Khasi war, & breathed his last there on 17th July, 1835.
Accordingly, the State Government has proposed for MEA support for setting up of a Tirot Sing Memorial at the Cultural Centre, Indian High Commission, Dhaka, to honour the historical legacy of U Tirot Sing, besides various cultural & academic exchanges, to leverage on the ongoing 3 significant events of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, Golden Jubilee of Statehood & 5O years of Liberation of Bangladesh & bilateral friendships.
Other officials present, included SDO (Civil) Amlarem, Joint Secretary Arts & Culture, BSF & customs officials
