New Delhi, April 28: Professor David R. Syiemlieh has been conferred the prestigious Padma Shri award by President Droupadi Murmu in the field of Literature and Education. The award was presented during the Civil Investiture Ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhawan in New Delhi.
The ceremony was attended by prominent dignitaries, including Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Prof. Syiemlieh’s achievement is a testament to his contributions to literature and education.
Prof. Syiemlieh’s first book British Administration in Meghalaya: Policy and Pattern, Heritage Publishers, New Delhi, 1989 established him as a scholar grounded in the history and culture of Meghalaya and the North East. This was followed by Survey of Research in History on North East India 1970-1990 and an edited volume with J. B. Bhattacharjee, Early States in North East India. His more recent publications are On the Edge of Empire: Four British Plans for North East India and Layers of History: Essays on the Khasi-Jaintias, a collection of 17 articles on the history and culture of the Khasi-Jaintias
He coordinated the research, editing and publication of Meghalaya at Fifty 1972-2022, launched on 21 January 2022 on the fiftieth anniversary of the foundation of the State of Meghalaya. He is credited with researching and discovering the date of death and other details of the last days of U Tirot Sing, the Syiem/chief of Nongkhlawhima/state in the Khasi hills, Meghalaya, who took a leading role in resisting British expansion into the Khasi hills and died while under house arrest as a state prisoner on 17 July 1835. The day is annually observed in Meghalaya as a State holiday to commemorate the life, sacrifice and patriotism of this little-known freedom fighter.
Prof. Syiemlieh has received a number of scholarships/fellowships including a Government of India Post Graduate Scholarship; Senior Fulbright Fellowship for research in USA; Charles Wallace Grant for research in UK and Indo-France Cultural Exchange Grant for research in Paris. He was elected President, NEIHA in 2010-2011. He was Council Member for two terms of the Indian Council of Historical Research, New Delhi. He was Council Member of the Indian Council of Social Science Research, New Delhi for a term. He was elected President of the Modern India Section, Indian History Congress at its 73rd session, Bombay University in January 2013. He is on the academic council and board of management of several universities. In his continued support of education and literature he is Adviser, Meghalaya State Education Commission.
The Padma awardees will pay homage at the National War Memorial on April 29, 2025, and also visit Rashtrapati Bhawan and Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya.
This recognition highlights Prof. Syiemlieh’s dedication and commitment to his field, bringing pride to the state of Meghalaya.
