Assamese (Asamiya) authors Priyam D Jyotsna, Budhidipta Dihingia, Bodo author Anila Swargiary and Manipuri author Pradium Moirangthem have been selected by the National Book Trust for a Scholarship-cum-Mentorship Scheme.
The National Book Trust (NBT) under the Ministry of Education on Saturday announced the results of the All-India Contest organized on the theme ‘National Movement of India’ under the PM-YUVA Mentorship Scheme as part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav programme.
As per the scheme, 75 authors were selected through this contest for a Scholarship-cum-Mentorship Scheme for young authors, below the age of 30 years.
The All-India Contest was organized from June 1-July 31, 2021 through MyGov and National Book Trust, India platforms.
“Nearly 16,000 entries in 22 official languages and English were received from all across the country including some from Indian diaspora community. All the book proposals were read by multiple panels of experts and went through three layers of scrutiny,” said a statement issued by the Union education ministry.
During his Mann Ki Baat address on January 31, 2021, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated: “I call upon our young friends to write about our freedom fighters, events associated with them & tales of valour during freedom struggle from their areas.”
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Thereafter the PM-YUVA Mentorship Scheme for young authors was launched by the ministry of education, with the National Book Trust, India as the implementing agency.
Out of the 75 selected authors, 38 are males and 37 are females.
Further, two are below 15 years, whereas there are 16 authors in the age group of 15-20 years, 32 fall in the age group of 21-25 years and 25 authors are in the age group of 26-30 years.
The selected authors will undergo a six-month mentorship.
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In this period, the authors would be provided research and editorial support under the guidance of eminent authors and the editorial team of National Book Trust, India to develop their book proposals as full-fledged books to be published by the Trust as part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav initiatives.
Their published books will be later translated into other Indian languages as well.
“During the mentorship, the selected authors will receive a scholarship of Rs 50,000 per month for a period of six months. Further, a royalty of 10% will be payable to the authors on successful publications of their books,” the ministry said.