BHUBANESWAR: The National Book Trust (NBT), an apex body of ministry of education to produce good literature in Indian languages and to promote books, announced results of all India contest organised on the theme ‘National Movement of India’ under the YUVA: Pradhan Mantri’s scheme for mentoring young authors.
Thousands of youths had submitted their applications for the contest, but only 75 youths including three from Odisha have been selected from the country. The three youths- Omm Priyadarshi Chotaray, Anindya Narayan Singh and Dileswar Rana- are from Odia language category.
Official sources said this scheme will ensure creating a pool of authors below the age of 30 years. After mentoring, the young authors will become proficient in writing in various genres like fiction, non-fiction, travelogues, memoirs, drama, poetry and so on.
“This scheme will help not only develop a stream of writers who can write on a spectrum of subjects to promote Indian heritage, culture and knowledge, but also provide a window to the aspiring youth to articulate themselves in their mother tongue and represent India at an international level,” said the official sources.
Chhotaray, an alumnus of NIT Rourkela, said his special interest in writing led him to take part in the national level context. “I did not expect that my name would come in the list of 75 candidates. I feel happy about getting selected by the NBT for the scheme,” he added.
He said there are two stages in the mentoring scheme. In the first phase, a two-week writers’ online programme will be organised for selected candidates followed by a two-week online/onsite training programme. In the second stage, they will get exposure through interaction at various international events like literary fest, book fairs, virtual book fair and cultural exchange programmes, he added.
At the end of mentorship, Chhotaray said, a scholarship of Rs 50,000 per month for a period of six months per author will be paid under the scheme. As the outcome of the programme, NBT will publish the book/s written by the young authors. A royalty of 10 percent will be payable to the authors on successful publications of their books. “Our books can be translated into other languages. As I belong to a village of Paikas and working on their issues, I will write a book on Paika’s contribution in the freedom movement during this mentoring programme,” said the young author who hails from Khurda district.
Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan congratulated the winners. “I am sure they will go on to become ambassadors of Indian literature, culture and heritage,” he added.
Thousands of youths had submitted their applications for the contest, but only 75 youths including three from Odisha have been selected from the country. The three youths- Omm Priyadarshi Chotaray, Anindya Narayan Singh and Dileswar Rana- are from Odia language category.
Official sources said this scheme will ensure creating a pool of authors below the age of 30 years. After mentoring, the young authors will become proficient in writing in various genres like fiction, non-fiction, travelogues, memoirs, drama, poetry and so on.
“This scheme will help not only develop a stream of writers who can write on a spectrum of subjects to promote Indian heritage, culture and knowledge, but also provide a window to the aspiring youth to articulate themselves in their mother tongue and represent India at an international level,” said the official sources.
Chhotaray, an alumnus of NIT Rourkela, said his special interest in writing led him to take part in the national level context. “I did not expect that my name would come in the list of 75 candidates. I feel happy about getting selected by the NBT for the scheme,” he added.
He said there are two stages in the mentoring scheme. In the first phase, a two-week writers’ online programme will be organised for selected candidates followed by a two-week online/onsite training programme. In the second stage, they will get exposure through interaction at various international events like literary fest, book fairs, virtual book fair and cultural exchange programmes, he added.
At the end of mentorship, Chhotaray said, a scholarship of Rs 50,000 per month for a period of six months per author will be paid under the scheme. As the outcome of the programme, NBT will publish the book/s written by the young authors. A royalty of 10 percent will be payable to the authors on successful publications of their books. “Our books can be translated into other languages. As I belong to a village of Paikas and working on their issues, I will write a book on Paika’s contribution in the freedom movement during this mentoring programme,” said the young author who hails from Khurda district.
Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan congratulated the winners. “I am sure they will go on to become ambassadors of Indian literature, culture and heritage,” he added.
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