India, Nov. 11 -- justify;">Every November, the cherry blossom around Ward's Lake in Shillong becomes a sight to behold, and this year there is a reason to linger. From November 12-14, readers and writers will gather under the blossoms for the 6th Shillong Literary Festival, where Booker Prize winners Kiran Desai and Damon Galgut will share the stage with the Khasi, Jaintia and Garo communities. Each evening will feature an insightful session, ending on a musical note with performances by musicians of Chief Minister's Grassroots Music Program (CM-MGMP). Shillong, once called the 'Rock Capital of India', is now known as the 'Music Capital of India'.

It is also a good place to understand what Meghalaya has been trying to do. The state has ...