Shillong, August 15: The North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong today celebrated 75th Independence Day with full gusto and patriotic fervour. Dr. Kestonbel Manik Syiemlieh, Deputy Syiem of Hima Nongkhlaw, Mairang, the fifth generation descendent of Great Freedom fighter of Meghalaya joined the celebration as the chief guest.
The celebration started with unfurling of the National flag by Prof. Prabha Shankar Shukla, the Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor of NEHU and Dr. Kestonbel Manik Syiemlieh followed by singing of the National Anthem. The celebration was attended by the staff, students and the family members of the NEHU community.
In his Independence Day address, Prof. Shukla presenting the speech in Khasi, Hindi and English elaborated on the importance of freedom and why we should be celebrate it with full conviction and enthusiasm.
While speaking he mentioned “If we put aside our religious beliefs and think of ourselves as simply human and having taken birth in this great nation, then we have only religion and that is patriotism and we will have only one religious holiday that is Independence Day”.
Speaking about the sacrifices our freedom fighters gave, he said “If we are celebrating Independence Day today, then it is only the result if this Unity which fought together against the British. Today on the occasion of Independence Day, We pay our homage and tribute the free fighters and heroes who fought in unison against the British Raj”.
He particularly mentioned the sacrifices of the unsung heroes of the North-East India particularly Meghalaya. “The struggle for independence started in the year 1857 with the freedom fighters and revolutionaries fighting against the British all over the country, sacrificing their lives for us. However, as the citizens of North-East India, how many of us know about the sacrifices of the freedom fighters from this part of the country” he said.
While speaking about the contribution of North-East on the struggle for freedom Prof. Shukla said “the incidences of fierce British resistances in the present day Northeast can be found from 1828 onwards. There are many unsung heroes whose names probably the present generations are alien to.
Our very own hero U Tirot Sing Syiem is one such unsung Hero whose name we rarely find in the history books of Freedom Struggle. Same can be said about U Kiang Nang Bah from the Jaintia Hills and Patogan Sangma from the Garo Hills. We are so involved with our lives and happiness that often forget to remember and mention them”.
The Vice-Chancellor also mentioned the contribution of the freedom fighters from the neighbouring states of Meghalaya like Gomdhar Konwar, Maniram Dewan, Madhu Malik, Urbidhar Barua, Mahidhar Sarma, Madhuram Koch from Assam, Maharaj Kulchandra, the king of Manipur and Manipuri Warrior Tikendrajit from Manipur, the Angamis Nagas and the Lushais of Mizoram.
Closing his speech, the Vice-Chancellor said that NEHU as an educational hub should contribute to nation building and how it has been doing it for the last 50 years and will continue to contribute to nation building. He spoke about the growth NEHU has been seeing in last six months with Prof. Badaplin War of Khasi Department receiving Padmashree and Dr. Benedict Hynniewta of Department of Creative Studies receiving U Tirot Sing Syiem Award.
He also lauded the teaching community, scholars and students for publication of papers in internationally reputed journals. He particularly lauded the students for bringing laurels to the University by bagging medals in various competitions around the country and also taking part in Indian Youth Parliament.
Dr. Kestonbel Manik Syiemlieh, Deputy Syiem of Hima Nongkhlaw, Mairang, the fifth generation descendent of Great Freedom fighter of Meghalaya, who attended the celebration as the Chief Guest, thanked the University for inviting him as the Chief Guest. He mentioned that he was very happy the Freedom Fighters from North-East region particularly his ancestor, U Tirot Sing Syiem were being remembered by the University fraternity.
The Deputy Syiem “He was glad to hear the names of the unsung heroes of North-East who gave up their lives for us and not always mentioned in any events or books”. He appealed to the people to work in unity for the upliftment of the society, the sate and the nation as a whole.
