The initiative is getting enthusiastic response from Indian Youth; Nearly 5000 book proposals received till 19 July 2021; Application window open till 31 July 2021; 75 authors will be selected through the All India Contest being conducted through nbtindia.gov.in and MyGov.in; Consolidated scholarship of Rs. 50,000 per month for a period of six months per author to be paid under the Mentorship Scheme
PIB Delhi — In order to empower young minds & create a learning ecosystem in India that can nurture young learners for future leadership roles, MyGov platform under Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY) in collaboration with National Book Trust (NBT), Ministry of Education, is hosting the Online Competition under PM’s Mentorship Scheme for Young Writers, seeking participation of young and aspiring Indian writers from across the globe. The online competition was launched on 4 June 2021 and it is open till 31 July 2021.
The PM’s Mentorship Scheme for Young Writers is garnering a lot of interest among the youth of the nation. To be part of this scheme, many aspiring and budding writers have come forward to submit their entries and benefit from this unique initiative of the government.
A total of 75 authors will be selected through an All India Contest being conducted through nbtindia.gov.in and MyGov.in. The applications can be submitted till 31 July and the winners will be announced on 15 August 2021. Nearly 5000 book proposals have already been received till 19 July 2021.
The Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, launched the PM’s Mentoring YUVA Scheme on 29 May 2021 with an objective to train young and budding authors (below 30 years of age) in order to promote reading, writing and book culture in the country, and project India and Indian writings globally.
Young, Upcoming and Versatile Authors (YUVA) is a part of India@75 Project (Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav) to bring to the fore the perspectives of the young generation of writers on themes like Unsung Heroes, Freedom Fighters, Unknown and Forgotten Places and their role in National Movement, and other related themes in on innovative and creative manner. This scheme will thus help to develop a stream of writers who can write on a spectrum of subjects to promote Indian heritage, culture and knowledge system.
The National Book Trust, India under the Ministry of Education as the implementing agency will ensure phase-wise execution of the Scheme under well-defined stages of mentorship. The books prepared under this scheme will be published by National Book Trust, India; and will also be translated into other Indian languages ensuring the exchange of culture and literature, thereby promoting ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’. The selected young authors will get opportunity to interact with some of the best and renowned authors, participate in literary festivals etc.
| Key Highlights of YUVA (Young, Upcoming and Versatile Authors) | |
| S.No. | Key Highlights |
| 1. | A total of 75 authors will be selected through an All India Contest |
| 2. | The selection will be made by a Committee to be constituted by NIT |
| 3. | The contest will run from 4th June to 31st July 2021 |
| 4. | The contestants will be asked to submit a manuscript of 5,000 words to judge its suitability to develop as a proper book under the Mentorship Scheme |
| 5. | The names of selected authors will be announced on 15 August 2021 |
| 6. | Based on mentorship, the selected authors will prepare manuscripts for final selection under the guidance of the nominated mentors |
| 7. | The entries of the winners will be readied for publication by 15th December 2021 |
| 8. | The published books may be launched on 12th January 2022 on YUVA DIVAS or the National Youth Day |
| 9. | The contest is open to citizens of India who are below the age of 30 years as on 1st June 2021. Indian nationals residing outside India who hold a PIO card (Person of Indian Origin) or NRIs (Non-resident Indian) holding Indian passports can also participate in the contest |
| 10. | A consolidated scholarship of Rs. 50,000 per month for a period of six months per author will be paid under the Mentorship Scheme |
With just a few days left for the contest to end, the aspirants can visit either https://innovateindia.mygov.in/yuva/ or https://t.co/eq86MucRVH for more details on how to participate, submit entries, FAQs, etc.
