Annual Subscription Rs 5.00; 50 paise per copy March 2021 • Vol 39 No. 3 Contents The Story of India by Young Writers The Story of India by ndia is the third largest publisher of about a complete change in a person’s Young Writers 1-2 Ibooks in the world. This despite the fact life? There are many examples in the that only a small number of people adopt history of our country where such changes Netaji National Reading Promotion writing as a profession in our country. were brought about by words. India will Recognition Award The strength of a country’s defence, nurture children from their early years 2 health, transport and communication, and the youth in a way that they will Azamgarh Book Fair which are seen as symbols of a country’s be able to become ambassadors of its 2 empowerment becomes meaningful, only literature of a twenty-first century India. if its people are able to express their For every Indian to be a “world citizen”, it In Conversation 3 achievements, aspirations and hopes in is imperative that the voice of the country their own words and languages. How does is heard in their own language on a global Lifetime Achievement Award the reading of a book or an event bring stage in a structured manner. to NBT 3 NBT Books on and by Women 4-5 Excerpts 6 Celebrate World Wildlife Day with NBT Books 7 PICK OF THE MONTH Pleasures of Reading Prem Pal Sharma Translation: Arpita Sen ISBN 978-237-81-9523-2; Rs 175 MARCH 2021 NBT NEWSLETTER 1 As you may be aware, on 31 January Prime Minister will create a large number society rooted in the objectives of the 2021 in his weekly broadcast programme of young writers, who will able to express National Education Policy-2020, will of “Mann Ki Baat”, the Prime Minister themselves in their own mother tongue promote Indian languages and their said, “In every corner of the land, and their writings will be promoted with literatures among the youth. While Bharatbhoomi, great sons and brave opportunities to represent India on a preparing them as future writers and daughters were born, who gave up their global platform. thought leaders, the scheme will ensure lives for the nation. Hence, it is very The Ministry of Education of the to bring the rich heritage of accumulated important that we preserve the saga of their Government of India, has entrusted the ancient Indian knowledge to the forefront. struggles for our sake and their memories implementation of this ambitious scheme As a natural instinct, writing should alive. For this we can write about them for to the National Book Trust, India, an be developed as a skill from an early age. the generations to come.” In his address, organisation which has been working for This will not only promote reading and he had called upon, “all countrymen, the last 64 years to deliver low cost books to writing across Indian languages but also especially the young friends to write about every citizen in their own language. Under could be taken up as a preferred profession freedom fighters, incidences associated this new scheme, young writers selected along with other job options. Moreover, with freedom…the saga of valour during for this mentorship programme will be many languages which are on the verge of the period of freedom struggle in your area. trained to hone their skills in creative extinction will have a new set of writers Now as India will celebrate 75 years of her expressions. As part of the programme, and readers, thereby giving languages freedom, your writings will be the best they will visit various publishing houses a new lease of life. If the quality of tribute to those heroes of our freedom.” and participate in various national and comprehending an event or a place closely In this direction, the Prime Minister also international literary festivals. After the and then comprehensively presenting added that “an initiative has been taken to training programme, their writings will be it in their own words, is developed from encourage young writers of all States and evaluated and published. Besides, they will childhood itself, they will be able to work of all languages. Writers who write on such be provided scholarships and put under better on the problems facing the country, subjects, who have studied deeply Indian the guidance of established and senior find solutions and implement action plans heritage and culture will come forth in writers in their respective language. because they have a clear picture of the large numbers in country.” This scheme, a social investment idea. Importantly, this initiative by the towards building a knowledge-based - Yuvraj Malik Netaji National Reading Promotion Azamgarh Book Fair Recognition Awards he 21st Azamgarh Book Fair was n the occasion of 125th Birth Torganised under the aegis of the OAnniversary of Netaji Subhas National Book Trust, India through the Chandra Bose observed as Parakram Department of Forest and Environment Diwas, National Book Trust, India has from 27 January to 2 February 2021. The announced the institution of ‘Annual Fair was organised at the auditorium of Netaji National Reading Promotion Shibli National Inter College, Azamgarh. Recognition Awards’. the Theme of this seven day Fair was ‘Bin These annaul Awards, to be presented Pani Sab Soon.’ on 23rd January, will seek to recognise the National Book Trust, India also outstanding contribution of Institutions, exhibited a wide range of its publications Trusts/Foundations, Organisations, across genres at its stall. Many booklovers NGOs as well as State governments, CSR visited the NBT stall and browsed through supported schemes, etc., working with its large collection of books. sustained commitment, innovation and inclusive vision to promote a culture of reading and empowerment among the The National Book Trust, India is in children and youth, in particular, and the the process of constituting a Jury for the other reading communities, in general. Awards which will formulate and release Shri Yuvraj Malik, Director NBT, said the parameters and guidelines for the that NBT will always be a frontrunner in Awards. supporting NGOs/Organisations that This initiative is part of the larger work tirelessly towards creating a reading programme of the Trust under its movement in the country. India@75 umbrella initiative. 2 NBT NEWSLETTER MARCH 2021 In Conversation Each language has its own culture, “tradition and history,” said Prof. Govind Prasad Sharma, Chairman, NBT while discussing the New Education Policy 2020 and its emphasis on the importance of mother tongue as the medium of learning. He added that each language has its own thought process and the children will find it easy to comprehend things when taught in their own mother tongue. On the impact of virtual classes among students, particularly girls during lockdown, Prof. Sharma observed that virtual classes in a way have helped girls to continue their education, especially those who had to walk long distances to reach their schools, or could not attend classes because of many other reasons. role of NBT in promoting books, culture promoting writers and the art and culture Talking about the equality in of reading and Indian languages through of Himachal Pradesh through its various education among youth in rural and urban its activities including publishing books activities. areas, Prof. Sharma said that this equality in more than 50 languages, organising Organised virtually, the talk was held can only be brought out if the youth of translation workshops and book fairs. on the occasion of National Girl Child rural areas are given equal opportunities Dr Karam Singh, Secretary, Himachal Day and International Education Day on and access to resources like the youth in Academy of Arts, Culture and Language 24 January 2021 by Himachal Academy of urban areas. in his welcome address said that NBT Arts, Culture and Language. The session Prof. Sharma also talked about the has been doing a remarkable work in was moderated by Ms Chandrakanta. Lifetime Achievement Award to NBT ational Book Trust, India various individuals and other institutions Buy NBT Books Online Nwas honoured with Lifetime that were nominated for the awards in Achievement Award for promoting culture promoting books and reading habits at Save 10% of reading in the country at the India the community level, Shri Yuvraj Malik Reading Olympiad on 23 January 2021. announced a donation of NBT books Join NBT Book Club The award was given by Food4Thought worth Rs 5,000 as reward to each nominee. Save 20% Foundation. Based in Hyderabad, Food4Thought Need help in buying eBooks / Prof. Govind Prasad Sharma, Foundation works extensively towards books? Chairman, NBT and Shri Yuvraj Malik, encouraging the habit of reading. The Director, NBT received the award during Foundation has opened several libraries and Contact us at whatsapp the virtual award ceremony. conducts various programmes including 8826610174 Recognizing the efforts taken by the annual India Reading Olympiad. between 9 am - 5 pm. MARCH 2021 NBT NEWSLETTER 3 NBT Books on and by Women International Women’s Day is celebrated every year on 8 March. On the occasion, we bring your some of our popular books on and by women. A Drop in the Ocean: An Autobiography Essence of North-East Padma Sachdev Jyoti Das Rs 205 348 pp Rs 640 276 pp This autobiography is a bitter journey of a One of the least explored aspects of north Dogra girl of Jammu who fought with the eastern part of India is its cuisine. This book, orthodox and men-oriented society. Born one of the very few of its kind, is an eclectic in Jammu, in 1940, Padma Sachdev is one work of documentation that brings together of the eminent poets of Dogri and Hindi some of the traditional recipes of the region.