The Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh addressed a function at Nangkhlaw in Meghalaya today to commemorate the sacrifices of Tirot Sing, the legendary freedom fighter from Meghalaya who was hanged to death by the British rulers in early 19th century. The function was part of a 15-day campaign undertaken by the Government of India to hold a series of programmes across the country to commemorate the sacrifices of the freedom fighters at their respective places of origin. Referring to Tirot Sing as a pioneer of India's freedom struggle, Dr Jitendra Singh recalled that Tirot Sing was sentenced to death by British rulers even before the first war of Independence and thus inspired the next two generations of Indians to jump into the freedom struggle. He said that Northeast had, along with the rest of India, contributed substantially to the freedom struggle and this aspect needs to be highlighted to the countrymen living in other parts of the country.
Dr Jitendra Singh said that northeast had suffered a protracted phase of oppression and injustice in the hands of British colonial rulers and it was freedom fighters like Tirot Sing, who not only kept the flame of freedom struggle alive, but also constantly worked for integration of Northeast and all the other regions of India into one single unit after independence. He said that Tirot Sing’s supreme sacrifice inspired a whole generation of freedom fighters not only in Meghalaya and Northeast, but across whole of the country. Referring to some of the other heroic freedom fighters from Northeast, Dr Jitendra Singh said that the Government of India is observing this year as the centenary year of Rani Gaidinliu who gave all her life fighting the British Empire. He informed that the Ministry of Women and Child Development has named “Nari Shakti Award” after the name of Rani Gaidinliu. The function was attended by the 6th generation descendents and relatives of Tirot Sing, besides a large number of people from all walks of life. Secretary, North Eastern Council (NEC) Shri Ram Muivah and senior members of district administration were present on the occasion.