‘Children everywhere are ready to care’

The winner of the Neev Book Award on writing books on social equality and justice, and keeping hope alive

- Chintan Girish Modi

How do you feel after winning the Neev Book Award for Baloo’s Big Win?

The award feels like a nod of encourage-

ment from young readers, and makes me want to write better. Itis also a welcome affirmation for me, the book's illustrator Saumya Oberoi, and my publisher. Ithas come at a time when I feel deeply disillusioned by the state of the world. Watching the horrors of ethnic violence unfold, especially when children are at the heart of such suffering, leaves one shaken. Knowing that children connected with our book becomes a way of keeping hope alive.

Ifyou could write a letter to Palwankar Baloo, what would you say?

Iwould tell him that the world has indeed