At just 17, Kanaklata Barua emerged as one of the youngest and bravest faces of India’s freedom struggle. Born on 22 December 1924 in Borangabari village of Assam, her early life was marked by deep personal loss—losing her mother at five and her father by thirteen. Forced to leave school after class 3, she took on the responsibility of caring for her siblings, but hardship only strengthened her resolve. Inspired by the growing wave of nationalism during the Quit India Movement, she joined the Mrityu Bahini, a group of young revolutionaries ready to sacrifice everything for independence. Her defining moment came on 20 September 1942, when she led a procession of unarmed villagers towards the Gohpur Police Station with the aim of hoisting the Indian tricolour. Despite repeated warnings from British police to disperse, Kanaklata marched forward fearlessly, holding the flag high. The police opened fire, and she was shot while still carrying the tricolour. Another freedom fighter, Mukunda ...