Sharad Pawar Inspire Fellowship in Literature

It has provided young writers with the strength to confront the socio-cultural reforms brought about by each generation and to channelize the transformations in fruitful endeavours. Young Marathi writers in each generation have been documenting their socio-cultural milieu in a new, distinct idiom of the times, thereby enriching Marathi culture and literature.

Such literature by young writers helps in developing a new outlook and sensibility. For example, experiments with form, content, style, and expression gave birth to new genres in Marathi literature such as Modernist, Dalit, and Rural.

The population of India is among the youngest in an aging world. According to United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) projections, India will continue to have one of the youngest populations in the world in the nearest future. However, today owing to this large population, stiff competition and struggle in every walk of life have become the norm. Today's youth, who although has the potential, is left with no time to write. Like never before, the need to connect youth with literature and motivate them to write and express has become critical. With this in mind, we announce The Sharad Pawar Inspire Fellowship in Literature, a program for cultivating and nurturing young writers.

Yashwantrao Chavan, the first CM of Maharashtra, took a keen interest in literature and writers. Following in his footsteps, Sharad Pawarji has carried over this legacy successfully. Both these leaders have supported writers, their literary activism, and their movements. As a tribute to these tall leaders who immensely contributed to building modern Maharashtra, Yashwantrao Chavan Centre, an institution steeped in the Marathi cultural scene, has constituted The Sharad Pawar Inspire Fellowship in Literature on the occasion of Sharad Pawarji's 81st birthday.

The Sharad Pawar Inspire Fellowship in Literature is for young writers writing in the literary genres like novel, drama biographies and children’s literature as well as for writers interested in writing in the fields such as science, social sciences, and culture. Writers selected for the fellowship will be provided with financial aid for writing their books. Workshops for mentoring or guidance may also be conducted for the selected writers. These writers will also be provided with a guide if required. This is to ensure that the selected writers develop their voice and improve their writing skills. A selection committee will review each book. If the committee approves the book, the fellowship will cover financial assistance for the publication of the book. Every year 10 young Marathi writers will be awarded The Sharad Pawar Inspire Fellowship in Literature.

This is the first time that young writers are awarded such a fellowship in Marathi. Despite having the potential to write, several young people cannot write due to the lack of proper guidance or due to adverse circumstances. The Sharad Pawar Inspire Fellowship in Literature is a golden opportunity for such people. We look forward to your participation in The Sharad Pawar Inspire Fellowship in Literature!,

- Dr. Nitin Rindhe