Shillong, Nov 23: Only in Class 8, Myra Basu has already put pen to paper to author a book inspired by Meghalaya’s freedom fighters.
‘When the Hills Roared, The Rain Knows their Names’ was released by Meghalaya Governor CH Vijayashankar on November 18 on the occasion of Rastriya Ekta Diwas.
Myra became fascinated and inspired by the great heroes whose names have been adopted by four school houses – Ka Phan Nonglait, Pa Togan Sangma, U Kiang Nangbah and U Tirot Sing Syiem.
The school houses were named after freedom fighters of Meghalaya to remind the students that, apart from the freedom fighters from mainstream India like Gandhi or Nehru, brave leaders from the state of Meghalaya have also sacrificed their lives for attaining freedom of our country
‘When the Hills Roared: The Rain Knows Their Names’ highlights the overlooked freedom fighters of Meghalaya, whose role in India’s independence is often forgotten. Moving beyond mainstream accounts centred in northern and central India, the book focuses on leaders who resisted colonial rule with courage and indigenous strategies rooted in their land and culture. It portrays both open battles and acts of quiet defiance, emphasising sacrifices made not for fame but for dignity and freedom. Interwoven with imagery of the hills and rain, the book ensures Meghalaya’s spirit and struggles remain part of India’s larger freedom story.
Myra is a 12-year-old student at Army Public School, Umroi. Passionate about creativity and storytelling, she enjoys chess, sketching, reading and anime. Writing allows her to explore new worlds and express her imagination and she looks forward to creating many more stories in the years to come.
“It was truly an enriching experience to know and write about the inspiring tales of the unsung heroes of the mountains,” Myra said. “Their stories are reminders that saviours don’t always stand on battlefields with their swords raised. Sometimes, they stand in the shadows, thinking, planning and protecting people with their quiet brilliance. I was elated when the Governor of Meghalaya released my book on the occasion of Rashtriya Ekta Diwas.”
Incidentally, during an Independence Day skit at the school, Myra was given the role of David Scott, one of the more famous early colonialists in these parts. However, the play aroused her curiosity about the four freedom fighters who the school houses are named after.
“Honestly, I didn’t know about these heroes either, until my school, that is, Army Public School Umroi, introduced them,” she explained. “But I had never heard of them, so this aroused my curiosity. Were there other Khasi freedom fighters that I had overlooked in the books I read? I was sure there were, so I started digging and stumbled upon a treasure chest of stories and legends which I have taken the liberty of penning down in this book.
Principal Shipra Basu said, “I happened to put a spark on the child’s curiosity with my announcement that, aligned with Amrit Mahotsav, the school would pay homage to the freedom fighters by naming the four houses after the freedom fighters of Meghalaya. This ignited the student’s imagination about the struggles and sacrifices made during the freedom struggle. Driven by her passion for writing and inspired by the heroes’ bravery, Myra felt eager to learn more and began writing about them with a newfound sense of admiration and purpose.”
