The Parag initiative of Tata Trusts announced the 4th edition of the Parag Honour List (PHL). The aim of the PHL is to curate a comprehensive collection of remarkable literature each year to bring them wider readership and make it accessible to librarians, teachers, and parents. This helps recognise emerging publishers and writers while promoting access to quality literature for all.
The Parag Honour List 2023 was launched by Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Government of Karnataka, Uma Mahadevan, literary agent, and publishing commentator Kanishka Gupta and children’s writer, educator and PHL English jury member Mini Srinivasan. Over 250 submissions were received from 33 Indian publishers, of which 52 original titles were selected to be part of the final list.
The list features books on arts, environment, climate change, gender, history, and even lesser-explored themes like philosophy for children. The English jury for PHL 2023 consisted of children’s writer and teacher Mini Srinivasan, storyteller and Professor Prachi Kalra, and book curator and library educator the jaswiShivanand. The Hindi jury consisted of poet and essayist Arun Kamal, educator Gurbachan Singh, and artistic director of Gillo Repertory Theatre Shaili Sathyu. Amrita Patwardhan, Head, Education, Tata Trusts “We are pleased to release the 4th edition of PHL and enhance the readership of good books in the country.”
