The Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay New India Foundation (NIF) Book Prize 2022 shortlist was declared on November 8. The prize is awarded to those new voices in the non-fictional literary world that successfully capture the changing times in a new India. The prestigious award has been named after freedom fighter Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay and was started by the New India Foundation in 2018.
The Shortlist for 2022 includes Accidental Feminism: Gender Parity and Selective Mobility Among India’s Professional Elite by Swethaa S. Ballakrishnen (Princeton University Press), The Chipko Movement: A People’s History by Shekhar Pathak, translated by Manisha Chaudhry (Permanent Black & Ashoka University), Whole Numbers and Half Truths: What Data Can and Cannot Tell Us About Modern India by Rukmini S. (Context/Westland), Midnight’s Borders: A People’s History of Modern India by Suchitra Vijayan (Context/Westland), and Born a Muslim: Some Truths about Islam in India by Ghazala Wahab (Aleph).
Books shortlisted for the Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay New India Foundation (NIF) Book Prize 2022 Amazon
Each of the shortlisted books evoke revolutionary ideas of a multi-layered society in a new India. The authors have put in immense research and background work in the making of the books. The books often beautifully bring together historical perspectives of India and emerging contemporary ideas about the country. This fusion has been brought out by fluid writing, meticulous anecdotes and a conversation which springs out from a deep understanding of society.
(L-R) Authors Ghazala Wahab, Suchitra Vijayan and Swethaa S. Ballakrishnen Amit Datta/swethaa.com/suchitravijayan.com
The panel of judges included Navtej Sarna, former diplomat and author; Rahul Matthan, attorney and author; Nayanjot Lahiri, historian and author; Manish Sabharwal, entrepreneur; and Srinath Raghavan, historian and author. The jury has been chaired by Niraja Gopal Jayal, political scientist and author.
The winner of the 5th Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay NIF Book Prize 2022 will be declared on December 1, 2022. The winner will be awarded a cash prize of Rs 15 lakh and a citation.
