Under the dynamic leadership of Hon’ble PM Shri Narendra Modi, the National Education Policy 2020 emphasises on empowering young minds & creating a learning ecosystem that can nurture young learners for future leadership roles.
To foster this goal, and commemorate India’s 75 years of Independence, a national scheme YUVA: Prime Minister’s Scheme For Mentoring Young A
uthors will go a long way in cementing the foundation of these leaders of tomorrow.
For a country like India, which tops the world chart in the youth population, we have a lot of potential ready to be tapped into and utilized for capacity and nation-building. This demographic advantage offers India and its economy an unprecedented edge. With this express intent of mentoring a new generation of young creative writers, there is an imminent requirement to take initiatives at the highest level, under the visionary national level flagship programme of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat.
Essentially, the scheme envisions cultivating modern ambassadors of Indian literature as the country heads towards 75 years of independence. Our country is ranked 3rd in the arena of book publishing, and to further boost this treasure trove of indigenous literature, it is imperative that we project this at the global stage.
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.
This programme will be in tune with Hon’ble PM’s vision of Global Citizen and establish India as a Vishwa Guru.
THE GOAL
This scheme will ensure in creating a pool of authors of below 30 years who are ready to express themselves and project India on any international platform, as well as it will help in projecting Indian culture and literature globally.
The young authors so mentored shall become proficient in writing in various genres like fiction, non-fiction, travelogues, memoirs, drama, poetry and so on.
It will make sure to bring reading and authorship as a preferred profession at par with other job options, making the children of India take reading and knowledge as an integral part of their grooming up years. In addition, it will bring a positive psychological push to the young minds given the impact and effect of the recent pandemic on the mental health of children.
SELECTION PROCEDURE OF YOUNG AUTHORS
- A total of 75 authors will be selected through an All India Contest at MyGov.
- The selection will be made by a Committee to be constituted by NBT.
- The contest will run from 4th June to 31st July 2021.
- 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.
- The names of selected authors will be announced on the occasion of Independence Day on 15th August 2021.
- Based on mentorship, the selected authors will prepare manuscripts for final selection under the guidance of the nominated mentors.
- The entries of the winners will be readied for publication by 15th December 2021.
- The published books may be launched on 12th January 2022 on YUVA DIVAS or the National Youth Day.
- 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 aPIO card (Person of Indian Origin) or NRIs (Non-resident Indian) holding Indian passports can also participate in the contest.
- Contestants can download their certificate of participation upon successful submission of their entry. Please note that this certificate is only an acknowledgement of an entry submitted successfully and in no way guarantees selection for mentorship program.
PHASE I – TRAINING (3 MONTHS)
- The National Book Trust, India will organise a Two-Week Writers' Online Programme for the selected candidates.
- During which the young authors will be trained by two eminent authors/mentors from NBT's panel of accomplished authors and writers.
- After the completion of the two-week writers' Online Programme, the authors will be trained for 2-Weeks at various On-line/On-site National Camps organised by NBT.
PHASE II – PROMOTION (3 MONTHS)
- The young authors will get to expand their understanding and hone their skills through interaction at various international events such as Literary Festivals, Book Fairs, Virtual Book Fair, Cultural Exchange Programmes, etc.
- At the end of mentorship a consolidated scholarship of ₹50,000 per month for a period of 6 months (50,000 x 6 = ₹3 Lakh) per author will be paid under the Mentorship Scheme.
- A book or a series of books written by the young authors will be published by NBT, India as the outcome of the mentorship programme.
- A royalty of 10% will be payable to the authors on successful publications of their books at the end of the Mentorship Program.
- Their published books will be translated into other Indian languages ensuring the exchange of culture & literature between different states & thereby promoting Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the ‘Themes’ that one can send one’s entry about?
Answer: The major themes are: Unsung Heroes; Little known facts about the National Movement; Role of various places in National Movement; Entries bringing out new perspectives related to political, cultural, economic, or science related aspects of national movement etc.
- What is the duration of the contest?
Answer: The duration of the contest is 4th June 2021 to 31st July 2021 (11.59 PM)
- Till what time the submissions will be accepted?
Answer: The submissions will be accepted till 11:59 PM on 31 July 2021 on MyGov.
- Can I write in any Indian language?
Answer: Yes, you can write in Englishor also in any of the following languages as listed in the 8th Schedule of the Constitution of India:
(1) Asamiya, (2) Bangla, (3) Gujarati, (4) Hindi, (5) Kannada, (6) Kashmiri, (7) Konkani, (8) Malayalam, (9) Manipuri, (10) Marathi, (11) Nepali, (12) Odia, (13) Punjabi, (14) Sanskrit, (15) Sindhi, (16) Tamil, (17) Telugu, (18) Urdu, (19) Bodo, (20) Santhali, (21) Maithili and (22) Dogri
- How will the maximum age of 30 years be decided?
Answer: You should be exactly 30 years or below as on 1st June 2021.
- Who can participate in the contest?
Answer – Citizens of India aged 30 years or below as on 1st June 2021.
- Can foreign nationals also participate in the contest?
Answer:Only Indian nationals including those holding PIOs or NRIs holding Indian passports can participate in the contest.
- I am a PIO/NRI holding Indian Passport, do I have to attach the documents?
Answer: Yes, kindly attach a copy of your passport/PIO card with your entry.
- Can I submit more than one entry?
Answer: Only one entry per contestant is allowed.
- What should be the structure of the entry?
Answer: It should have a chapter plan, synopsis and two-three chapters (if the entry has chapters) within a maximum word limit of 5000 words.
- Can I submit more than 5000 words?
Answer: Maximum word limit of 5000 should be adhered to.
- How will I know that my entry has been registered?
Answer: You will receive an acknowledgment email from MyGov. Don’t forget to download your certificate of participation after final submission.
- I will be submitting my entry in an Indian language, should I attach its English translation?
Answer: No. Kindly mention in 100-150 words gist of your entry in either English or Hindi.
- Is there any minimum age for entry?
Answer: No minimum age has been prescribed.
- Can I send the handwritten manuscript?
Answer: No. It should be neatly typed.
- What is the genre of entry?
Answer: You can submit both fiction and non-fiction.
- What are the sub-genres that one can submit as one’s entry under ‘Fiction’?
Answer: You can send collections of short stories, novellas, historical fiction, inspirational, romance fiction, fiction for children, fiction for young adults etc. The background of the fiction genre of manuscripts should be pertaining to the period of national movement.
- What are the sub-genres that one can submit as one’s entry under ‘Non- Fiction’?
Answer: You can send travelogues, memoirs, or informative/research-based manuscripts dealing with various political, social, cultural, economic or science- related aspects of national movement etc.
- Will poetry be accepted?
Answer: No, poetry will not be accepted.
- If the manuscript has information that is quoted from an external source, how and where does it need to be mentioned/how do I quote the source of reference?
Answer: On the inclusion of information from an external source in a non-fiction manuscript, the source needs to be mentioned as footnotes/endnotes or in a consolidated ‘Works Cited’ section if required.
- Can I submit my Indian language entry in Unicode?
Answer: Yes, it can be submitted in Unicode.
- What should be the format of submission?
Answer: For English, the format should have font style as Times New Roman and font size should be 14. For other languages, equivalent font style/size should be employed.
- Are simultaneous submissions allowed/can I submit a story that has been submitted to another competition/journal/magazine etc.?
Answer: No, simultaneous submissions are not allowed.
- What is the procedure to edit/exchange an entry/manuscript that has already been submitted?
Answer: Once an entry has been submitted, it cannot be edited or withdrawn. ‘Save as draft’ option may be selected by a participant who wishes to further edit his/her entry, but such entries must be submitted before the last date of contest. An entry saved in draft after last date of submission, shall not be considered.
- Can the submissions also have pictures / illustrations to support the text?
Answer: Yes, the text can be supported with pictures or illustrations if you hold copyright for the same.
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amar ujala 27.07.2021
