Dr. Doma, AYV News, December 3, 2025
The Indian High Commission in Sierra Leone has successfully concluded its digital exhibition titled “The Human Cost of Terrorism”, following its official launch on Friday 21st November 2025 at the Freetown City Council, Lobby.
The event, which has continued to generate conversation weeks after its unveiling brought renewed attention to the devastating personal and societal impacts of terrorism across the world.
The launching ceremony was graced by the Minister of Internal Affairs, retired Assistant Inspector of Police (AIG) Morie Lengor Esq., who served as the Chief Guest.
Although the exhibition has since closed, its message continues to resonate.
Stakeholders who attended the opening emphasized that the event succeeded in emphasizing not just statistics but the profound human stories behind acts of terror stories of loss, trauma, displacement and interrupted development.
Reflecting on the Minister’s keynote address delivered during the launch, attendees recalled his firm stance that terrorism anywhere remains a threat to peace everywhere, and that state-sponsored terrorism must be openly confronted.
He further underscored that the impact of terrorism goes far beyond immediate casualties, extending into long-term emotional scars, fractured communities and economic stagnation.
Minister Lengor also unveiled the digital display wall that showcased memories of terror victims worldwide.
In his remarks, he described the long-term consequences faced by survivors and families, including PTSD, depression, anxiety and social division—factors that weaken national cohesion.
He called for a holistic counter-terrorism approach combining security, psychological support, economic recovery and community resilience.
India’s High Commissioner to Sierra Leone, B. C. Pradhan, also addressed the audience during the launch, expressing appreciation for the Minister’s presence and reaffirming India’s commitment to global peace and human security. He noted that the exhibition was designed to humanise the global conversation on terrorism.
Pradhan reiterated India’s long-standing advocacy for a Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism, which would ensure the international community speaks with one voice.
“Terrorism is not just a security challenge but a deeply human tragedy,” he underscored, pointing to its ripple effects on individuals, families and national development.
He ended by recalling the warm reception offered earlier in the year by the Parliament of Sierra Leone to the All-Party Indian Parliamentary Delegation, commending the gesture as a reflection of the strong and evolving friendship between both nations.
Though the exhibition has now wrapped up, its central message remains clear: to confront terrorism effectively, nations must recognise and address its immense human cost—honouring victims, supporting survivors and building societies resilient enough to reject division and violence.
