PM’s MENTORSHIP SCHEME FOR YOUNG AUTHORS YUVA (Young, Upcoming and Versatile Authors)

Under the leadership of the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, the PM’s Scheme for Mentoring Young Authors – YUVA (Young, Upcoming and Versatile Authors) has been launched on May 29, 2021. The Scheme aims to train young and potential 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. This scheme is a part of the India@75 Project Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav in order to bring to fore the perspectives of the young generation of writers on themes like Unsung Heroes, Freedom Fighters, Unknown and Forgotten Places and their role in the National Movement and other related themes in an innovative and creative manner.

National Book Trust, India (Under BP Division, Ministry of Education, Government of India) as the Implementing Agency will ensure the phase-wise execution of the Scheme under well–defined stages of mentorship. Under this scheme, a total of 75 young authors will be selected through an All India Contest that is being conducted through https://www.nbtindia.gov.in/ till July 31, 2021. The interested contestants will have to submit a manuscript of 5000 words to adjudge their suitability to be developed as proper books under the Mentorship Scheme. During the programme, young authors will be trained by two eminent authors/mentors from NBT’s panel of accomplished authors and writers to develop their manuscripts and transform them into books ready to be published. The developed manuscripts will then be published by the National Book Trust, India. The published books will also be translated into other Indian languages ensuring the exchange of culture and literature and thereby promoting Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat. At the end of the training and mentorship period, a consolidated scholarship of Rs. 50,000 per month for a period of six months per author will be paid.

“The selected 75 young authors shall be provided all the resources that will help them evolve into writers the nation will be proud of,” says Shri Yuvraj Malik, Director, National Book Trust, India.

The YUVA Scheme will encourage a stream of authors who can write on a spectrum of subjects to promote Indian heritage, culture and knowledge. “This is a golden opportunity for our youth to get acquainted with the freedom struggle and to present their writing ability in their preferred Indian language at the global level. This programme will thereby be in tune with the PM’s vision of Global Citizen and Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat and establish India as a Vishwa Guru,” says Prof. Govind Prasad Sharma, Chairman NBT.

FAQs on YUVA Scheme

Q: How will NBT ensure that the books published in the Scheme are of quality and the Scheme be beneficial for the aspiring young writers?

A: NBT has a wide pool of resources at its disposal for the young writers participating in the Scheme. The selection of the top 75 will be done by an expert panel constituted by NBT. A two-week writers’ programme will be organized where the selected young writers will be extensively trained by eminent authors/mentors from their panel of accomplished authors and writers. The mentorship process will be undertaken by language specific authors/mentors that will especially help the young writers express themselves better in their language of preference. The young writers will get to expand their understanding and hone their skills through participation in various national and international literary events, books fair, cultural exchange programmes, etc. that NBT regularly organises and participates in. This Scheme aims to encourage young writers to hone their craft so that they can optimize their potential and become thought leaders of the future.

Q: This is a first of its kind scheme at the national level. How will National Book Trust, India be a part of this Scheme?

A: National Book Trust, India has been providing affordable and accessible books and reading material since the last 64 years. As the Implementing Agency for the Scheme, National Book Trust, India will ensure the phase-wise execution of the scheme under well-defined stages of mentorship. The Scheme has been subdivided into two phases of 3 months each; training and promotion. The first phase shall focus on the mentorship aspect, wherein the young writers will be trained by eminent authors/mentors under NBT’s advisory panel on the eco-system of publishing. In the second phase, the authors will be given a chance to interact at various national and international literary platforms. It is in this phase that their books will be published and translated in other Indian languages. The authors will be given a consolidated scholarship of 50,000 per month for six months and 10% royalty will also be payable to them.