At just 16, Mumbai’s Aaditya Sengupta Dhar has clinched the Rabindranath Tagore Memorial Award for Literature 2025, a nod to his remarkable ability to fuse storytelling with social good. Known for six bestselling books, Aaditya’s latest work, Apna Time Aayega, a moving anthology crafted with the Udaan India Foundation and Anecdote Publishing, stands out. Launched in April 2025, it showcases raw, inspiring letters from Mumbai’s slum youth, giving voice to dreams often stifled by systemic barriers.
Aaditya’s drive for this project was rooted in Mumbai’s stark contrasts—glitzy high-rises overshadowing cramped slums. The sight of migrant workers trudging home during the 2020 lockdowns hit hard, prompting him to pivot from crafting fantasy tales like Legend of the Broken Blade to tackling real-world challenges. Through his initiative, Project Kahaani, he mentored teens to pen their stories, resulting in Apna Time Aayega. The book features voices like Dhananjay, who moved from construction sites to chasing civil services, and Shalini, who became her family’s first Chartered Accountant against all odds.
The launch event was a heart-stirring affair. As the young authors shared their letters, the audience was swept up in a wave of emotion—tears, applause, and hope. Aaditya, with a calm presence beyond his years, led a spirited chant of “Our time will come!” The anthology, published by Anecdote, channels its earnings to Udaan’s education programs, which have empowered underserved communities for two decades. Udaan’s founder, Mamta Rangan, credits Aaditya’s sensitivity for breathing life into these narratives.
Aaditya doesn’t shy from hard truths. He points to IMF findings that Indian graduates face unemployment rates nine times higher than the illiterate, exposing gaps in the education system. Apna Time Aayega celebrates resilience while urging readers to step up—mentor, guide, or back efforts like Udaan’s. “Every dream deserves a chance,” he says, a call that’s struck a chord far and wide.
The Tagore Award also recognises Aaditya’s broader work. His Amazon hit Kaalchakra celebrates Indian heritage, while The Teen’s Guide to Saving the World spurs teens to act, winning three international awards. Through his Vedanomics column and Spotify podcast, he links ancient Indian wisdom to today’s challenges, and his HistoByte contest ignites historical curiosity among youth. But Apna Time Aayega shines for its role in empowering others to speak. It’s reshaped Aaditya from a writer into a catalyst for unheard voices.
Aaditya’s story is a reminder: age doesn’t limit impact. With this award, Aaditya cements his place as an emerging literary force, one who uses his passion for storytelling to create a positive impact.
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