Ministry of Education launches YUVA Scheme for mentoring Young Authors, will also give Rs. 3 lakh scholarship

New Delhi: The Ministry of Education, Department of Higher Education today launched YUVA- Prime Minister’s Scheme For Mentoring Young Authors, an Author Mentorship programme 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.

The launch of YUVA (Young, Upcoming and Versatile Authors) is in tune with PM’s vision to encourage young writers to write about India’s freedom struggle. It was during Mann ki Baat on 31 January 2021, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi called upon the young generation to write about freedom fighters, incidents associated with freedom, the saga of valour during the period of freedom struggle in their respective areas – as the best tribute to the heroes of India’s freedom – as we celebrate 75 years of Indian Independence.

“This will also prepare a category of thought leaders that will decide the course of the future”, said PM.

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 an 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.

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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 interact with some of the best authors of the world; participate in literary festivals etc.

NEP 2020 has emphasised on the empowerment of the young minds and creating a learning ecosystem that can make the young readers/learners ready for leadership roles in the future world. In this context, YUVA will go a long way in laying the foundation of the future leaders of the creative world.

THE GOAL

This scheme will ensure 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.

IMPLEMENTATION & EXECUTION

The National Book Trust, India (under BP Division, Ministry of Education, GOI) as the Implementing Agency will ensure phase-wise execution of the Scheme under well-defined stages of mentorship.

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.

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 Rs. 50,000 per month for a period of 6 months (50,000 x 6 = Rs. 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.

For more details and to apply, go to MYGOV (Click here to visit page

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