Incredible inventors… is even more explicit in its exploration of the hidden stories around technological developments – stories that are often deliberately obscured and pushed aside. Hiba says: “Living in a world driven by capitalism, the drive is on everything being faster, stronger, quicker, more convenient and we are hurtling towards this vision for life and what human existence should be at speeds that now one can really grasp. “I felt very frustrated with this paradigm for science and technology, and I was fascinated by the idea of progress and how we talk about progress. Often that tends to be without heart, humanity or ethics – it’s just a drive towards convenience and ease for the wealthy in the world. I did a lot of research into people who harness technology and science for the betterment of the planet – for people who are struggling with water issues, or poverty of disabilities. I wanted to redefine what we think about when we talk about progress. I felt a bit disheartened by it all and wanted to show that there are these really beautiful creative innovators. “A lot of the time they are harnessing indigenous wisdom and ancient practices and knowledge to protect and preserve, so there is a focus on erasure as well. I think people who are not conventional inventors – people who are not white men have been erased, through patents and other structures. You can look back through history and see examples, such as Amazonian tribes who pioneered surgical tools. It helps to give a more rounded holistic view of the world.”


Hiba’s next work will look at another under-reported piece of history that affected millions, yet remains out of sight. The Indian Independence Act of 1947 was designed to deliver independence in the former British colony, but it also saw partition lines drawn across a region leading to mass migration and violence. Hiba says: “The Line They Drew Through Us is another


historical fiction book and is centred around the partition of India. It’s one of these instances from history whose echoes reverberate


today, but it’s not taught in schools, it’s not really mentioned much at all and when it is it is glossed over in quite a reductive, simplistic, and often unjust way.


“The cruelty of Empire, the treatment of India and Indians and the repercussions that has had on every South Asian who exists, both on the subcontinent and within the diaspora is very significant. It’s infused into our existence, even though most of the people who have lived through the partition have passed away. It is something that if I had understood in a deeper sense when I was young would have been very empowering and important for me to learn about me, as well as everyone around me learning about it. It would help us understand our place in the word in the country and help me understand some of the racism I grew up with. “The line they drew through us is a story of hope and it’s a human story. There is this other aspect of what we are seeing with the rise of fascism around the world, including this huge issue in India around the Hindu-Muslim conflict. It explores the relationship between Indians – the Hindus, Muslims, and Sikhs as well as the role of the British and why things are the way they are now.” The story revolves around three friends, each from different religious backgrounds, and how their lives are affected by the partition. Hiba says: “There is a need in me to seek justice, and whether that is bringing to light stories that have been erased or overshadowed. Stories that deserve to be known; songs that deserve to be sung. And that might mean redefining things that have had the humanity and heart sucked out of them. There is this need in me and that is echoed through all of my stories and all of my books. That ability to dig deeper and that desire to dig deeper is maybe one of the greatest gifts we can give to children.” Although nothing is certain yet, Hiba’s next books could be


delving deeper in the world of fantasy – revisiting her childhood love of Tolkien’s Middle Earth and C. S. Lewis’ Narnia. Watch this space. PEN&INC


Autumn-Winter 2024


PEN&INC. 11


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