Ahmedabad : Aiming to promote children’s literature and linguistic inclusivity, a three-day Gujarati Translation Workshop was inaugurated on Friday, June 13, at the National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad, under the aegis of the National Book Trust, India (NBT). The initiative is part of NBT’s broader mission to nurture a culture of reading and foster national integration through multilingual literary development.
The workshop was inaugurated by Yashwant Mehta, renowned Gujarati author and the first recipient of the Sahitya Akademi Bal Sahitya Puraskar, who emphasized the transformative power of translated children’s books. “Translation is a bridge that helps children access stories beyond boundaries, enriching their imagination and cultural understanding,” he noted in his keynote address.
Dr. Ashok Mondal, Director of NID and Guest of Honour, highlighted the intersection of design and literature, stating, “Books are not just mediums of knowledge but deeply tied to the national consciousness. Designing stories for children requires sensitivity, innovation, and a deep cultural understanding.”
Kumar Vikram, Chief Editor & Joint Director of NBT, spoke on the Trust’s mandate to foster reading habits across India’s diverse linguistic landscape. “Translation workshops are pivotal to our goal of building a literate, integrated society. Books in mother tongues connect children to their roots and open doors to empathy and learning.”
The session began with a solemn one-minute silence in memory of the tragic air crash that occurred in the city the previous day.
Creating a New Literary Ecosystem for Children
The workshop brings together 20 accomplished and emerging authors and translators who will collectively translate or develop 100 titles over the three-day program. The panel includes respected literary figures such as:
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Anil Rawal
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Ravindra Andhariya
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Kashyapi Maha
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Parikshit Joshi
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Brijesh Panchal
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Surekha Rathwa
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Dr. Anil Chauhan
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Sahebrao Patil
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Bakula Parmar
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Dr. Hina Mistry
These experts represent a diverse blend of literary and cultural backgrounds, ensuring that the stories translated reflect both linguistic richness and emotional depth.
Bhagyendra Patel, Editor (Gujarati), NBT, welcomed the gathering and gave an overview of the Trust’s new Gujarati titles. He reiterated NBT’s vision to empower young readers by making quality books available in their native languages.
Fostering Young Minds, One Page at a Time
This translation workshop marks a significant step in regional literary development, especially for children who often lack access to culturally relevant literature in their native tongue. By developing stories that are both educational and entertaining, the NBT hopes to inspire a new generation of Gujarati-speaking young readers.
The workshop reflects the national push towards linguistic diversity, inclusivity, and creativity, celebrating literature’s role in shaping the minds and identities of children across India.
