Shillong: Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Tuesday released two landmark publications celebrating the lives and legacies of Meghalaya’s most influential figures at a special ceremony held at the Chief Minister’s Office in the Secretariat.
The books — His Story: Trailblazing Men of Meghalaya and His Footprints in Time: Meghalaya’s Trailblazers and the Making of Modern India — have been compiled and edited by Dr. David Arnold Kharchandy, Secretary of the Centre for Historical Research and a faculty member at Synod College’s History Department.
The launch event was attended by Rev. E.R. Kharkrang, President of Synod College’s Governing Body; Dr. G. Lyngdoh, Principal of Synod College; Dr. W. Kharmawphlang, IQAC Coordinator; and other faculty members and staff.
The chief minister praised the initiative, calling it a “timely and significant contribution” to preserving the stories of individuals who helped shape the identity of modern Meghalaya.
He emphasised the role of such works in inspiring younger generations and reinforcing the state’s cultural and historical legacy.
His Story, a coffee table book sponsored by the Chief Minister’s Special Grant, profiles 37 distinguished men from Meghalaya who have made lasting contributions in fields such as politics, education, religion, public service, environmental activism, the armed forces, and the arts.
Through photographs and narrative profiles, the book serves as a visual archive of Meghalaya’s post-independence journey.
The second volume, His Footprints in Time, features 35 in-depth essays on pioneering figures like Purno A. Sangma, Prof. G.G. Swell, Rev. J.J.M. Nichols-Roy, Captain Clifford K. Nongrum, Neil Nongkynrih, and others whose work has had a national impact.
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Drawing from archival materials, oral histories, and field research, the book positions Meghalaya’s story within the larger canvas of India’s modern development.
The publications are expected to be valuable resources for researchers, students, policymakers, and anyone interested in the history and identity of the Northeast.
Synod College has reaffirmed its role in advancing public history and preserving regional narratives through this effort.
