Dawki: The Meghalaya government on Saturday handed over selected cultural artefacts and State’s unique textiles to the Indian High Commission for permanent and dedicated display at the Cultural Centre of the Indian High Commission at Dhaka to celebrate and showcase Meghalaya.
The handing over was part of the ongoing celebrations of ‘Azadika Amrit Mahotsav’, India@75, ensuing Golden Jubilee of Statehood, Meghalaya@50 and to commemorate 50 years of Liberation of Bangladesh and bilateral friendship.
A symbolic programme was held at the India-Bangladesh border at Dawki-Tamabil. At a brief function, held at the International border town, the Assistant High Commissioner of India in Assistant High Commission of India, Sylhet, Bangladesh, Niraj Kumar Jaiswal thanked the Meghalaya Government for sharing the tribal artefacts and unique textiles to commemorate the three 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 and Bangladesh.
In his keynote address, Meghalaya’s Commissioner and Secretary, Arts and Culture and Textiles, Frederick Roy Kharkongor , 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 three events of India@75, Meghalaya@5O and 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 and the State’s s 5O years of Statehood.
Kharkongor also informed that the India’s Ministry of External Affairs had been in touch with the State Government, with a request to identify a partner country, that has a historical resonance with Meghalaya.
He said that the Meghalaya Government had identified Bangladesh, in the context of U Tirot Sing, the Stateâs foremost freedom fighter, who was exiled by the British to Dhaka, after the Anglo-Khasi War, and breathed his last there on 17th July, 1835.
Kharkongor said the Meghalaya 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 and academic exchanges, to leverage on the ongoing significant events.
