Latest news with #NamitaGokhale
Hindustan Times
09-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Delhi University's U-Special buses to be back in campus: Are students on board with Delhi CM's gift?
Delhi University students are no stranger to long, chaotic commutes. From switching metro lines at interchange stations such as Rajiv Chowk to squeezing into autos outside Vishwavidyalaya Metro Station, the grind is real, especially during the morning rush hours. Several Delhi University alumni recall how the U-Special buses hold a significant spot in their hearts as they sealed lifelong friendships during these rides. (Illustration: Shutterstock) Recently, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced plans to revive the U-Special (University special) bus service that once ran on fixed campus routes but was discontinued in March 2020. Blast From The Past Mention U-Special buses and several DU alumni get nostalgic about their #CampusKeDin. Sharing some of her fond memories, writer Namita Gokhale tells us, 'I studied in Jesus & Mary College, which is part of South Campus... I remember a group friends would congregate at Zakir Hussain Marg to get the Ladies Special. I too would step in there and then, I confess, sometimes step off at the next stop to play truant! There was a spirit of laughter and camaraderie in those U-Specials, and I remember them fondly.' Even model Indrani Dasgupta, an alumna of Miranda House, reminisces: 'For me, U-Specials were almost 20 years ago, and I still remember they were a game changer for students like me who were living in Vasant Kunj. Because it took me directly to North Campus; a one-stop solution that got us to college and then back home without too much of a hassle!' But, the return of these wheels have evoked mixed reactions from the current students of the varsity. Read on… Aanya Singh, a final-year student of Economics (Hons) at Daulat Ram College, says: 'I had no idea that U-Special buses ever existed. I travel to North Campus, and for my daily commute I need to change metros. So this development really feels like a fresh, exciting twist to my routine. Also, the fact that the new version comes with AC, ambient lighting, and music makes it sound a fun ride while being practical alongside.' Arnav Gandhi, third-year student of BCom (Hons) at Hansraj College, says: 'It's good to see that government is thinking about us youngsters. But won't using U-special in this day and age, when Delhi traffic is at its worst on most days, a challenge in itself? While the upgrade feels promising, the real test will be its consistent implementation. I, personally, prefer to travel by the Delhi Metro since it's reliable and punctual, and would only want to change my means of transportation if the bus schedule aligns with my class timings and I don't end up spending most part of my day on the road. Also when Metros are doing the job just fine, shouldn't students get the long-pending discount on Metro cards rather than be party to burden the current state of Delhi's public transport and traffic situation?' Yashvi Khanna, a final-year student of Advertising Major at Jesus and Mary College, says: 'It takes me 30 minutes from my home in West Delhi to travel to South Campus. But during the morning, the metro is jam-packed! If these U-special buses can give me a less crowded and more reliable option to travel, then I'm definitely on board to take it up. Else, it's just another promise that looks aesthetic on the face of it and might not be practical for a larger group of students who travel from far off places to reach their colleges in time.' Swasti Thukral, a second-year student of Bachelor of Management Studies (BMS) Shaheed Sukhdev College of Business Studies, says: 'My friends and I had actually once joked that DU needs its own shuttle service. It feels like our manifestation has come true! Most of us currently travel by the Metro and end up looking fatigued, both before and after college, due to multiple line interchanges. But, beyond that, travelling in Metro makes me feel much more secure plus guarantees that I'd reach in time.' Story by Nikita Kalra For more, follow HT City Delhi Junction
South Wales Argus
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- South Wales Argus
Palestinian author Yasmin Zaher wins Dylan Thomas Prize
The prize is the world's largest and most prestigious literary award for young writers. The Coin, which was released in paperback on May 1, 2025, was chosen unanimously by the judging panel. It draws on Zaher's personal experiences to explore themes of identity and heritage. Namita Gokhale, chair of judges, said: "The judging panel was unanimous in their decision to name debut novelist Yasmin Zaher as the winner of the 2025 Swansea University Dylan Thomas Prize. "Zaher brings complexity and intensity to the page through her elegantly concise writing: The Coin is a borderless novel, tackling trauma and grief with bold and poetic moments of quirkiness and humour. "It fizzes with electric energy." Zaher was awarded the £20,000 prize at a ceremony in Swansea on May 15. The prize celebrates exceptional literary talent aged 39 or under. The other shortlisted titles for the 2025 prize were Rapture's Road by Seán Hewitt, Glorious Exploits by Ferdia Lennon, The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden, I Will Crash by Rebecca Watson, and Moderate to Poor, Occasionally Good by Eley Williams. The 2025 prize was judged by Namita Gokhale, Professor Daniel Williams, Jan Carson, Mary Jean Chan, and Max Liu. Yasmin Zaher joins a list of previous winners including Caleb Azumah Nelson, Arinze Ifeakandu, Patricia Lockwood, Max Porter, Raven Leilani, Bryan Washington, Maggie Shipstead, Guy Gunaratne, and Kayo Chingonyi.
BBC News
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Yasmin Zaher: Palestinian writer wins Dylan Thomas prize
A Palestinian novelist has won this year's Swansea University Dylan Thomas literary prize for young Zaher was awarded £20,000 for her debut novel The Coin, which was described by the judging panel as "borderless".The prize, named after the Swansea-born writer Dylan Thomas, who died aged 39, celebrates writers up to that age to honour the author's life and Coin, the story of a wealthy Palestinian woman who struggles to thrive in America, tackles trauma and grief "with bold and poetic moments of quirkiness and humour," the judging panel said. Ms Zaher, who was born in Jerusalem in 1991, received the prize at a ceremony in Swansea on Thursday evening."Whittling our exceptional longlist of twelve down to six brilliant books, and then again to just one, was not an easy exercise - yet the judging panel was unanimous in their decision to name debut novelist Yasmin Zaher as the winner," said Namita Gokhale, chair of 2025 judges."Zaher brings complexity and intensity to the page through her elegantly concise writing," she full shortlist for the 2025 prize was:Rapture's Road by Seán Hewitt - poetry collection (UK/Ireland)Glorious Exploits by Ferdia Lennon - novel (Ireland)The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden - novel (The Netherlands)I Will Crash by Rebecca Watson - novel (UK)Moderate to Poor, Occasionally Good by Eley Williams - short story collection (UK)
Daily Mirror
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Dylan Thomas Prize celebrates 20 years of young talent as winner is announced
The Swansea University Dylan Thomas Prize marks twenty years of celebrating young writers this year as the 2025 award is won by Palestinian author Yasmin Zaher for her debut novel The Coin Palestinian author Yasmin Zaher has been crowned the winner of the world-renowned Swansea University Dylan Thomas Prize for her debut novel, The Coin, as the literary award celebrates two decades of recognising outstanding young talent. The Coin, lauded by judges for its incisive examination of themes such as identity and heritage, emerged to unanimous praise from the judging panel, who were tasked with the arduous job of narrowing down a remarkable longlist to a single accolade-deserving work. Namita Gokhale, Chair of Judges, celebrated Yasmin Zaher's accomplishment, saying: "Whittling our exceptional longlist of twelve down to six brilliant books, and then again to just one, was not an easy exercise – yet the judging panel was unanimous in their decision to name debut novelist Yasmin Zaher as the winner of the 2025 Swansea University Dylan Thomas Prize." She continued: "Zaher brings complexity and intensity to the page through her elegantly concise writing: The Coin is a borderless novel, tackling trauma and grief with bold and poetic moments of quirkiness and humour." "It fizzes with electric energy. Yasmin Zaher is an extraordinary winner to mark twenty years of this vital prize," Gokhale added. Yasmin Zaher has been honoured with the £20,000 prize, a recognition of outstanding literary talent under 39, at an event in Swansea on Thursday 15 May. Her book, The Coin, released in paperback on 1 May 2025, is brought to readers by Footnote Press, a publisher dedicated to giving voice to marginalised narratives and viewpoints. The award pays tribute to Dylan Thomas, the Swansea-born writer, and his 39 years of creative output. It honours Thomas' legacy by supporting contemporary writers, fostering emerging talents, and applauding global literary brilliance across various forms such as poetry, novels, short stories, and drama. Other works that made it to the 2025 Prize shortlist include Rapture's Road by Seán Hewitt, Glorious Exploits by Ferdia Lennon, The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden, I Will Crash by Rebecca Watson, and Moderate to Poor, Occasionally Good by Eley Williams. The 2025 Prize was judged by a panel of esteemed literary figures, including Namita Gokhale, the multi-award-winning Indian author of over twenty-five works of fiction and non-fiction, and co-director of the renowned Jaipur Literature Festival. Yasmin Zaher now joins an impressive roster of writers who have previously won this prestigious prize, including Caleb Azumah Nelson, Arinze Ifeakandu, Patricia Lockwood, Max Porter, Raven Leilani, Bryan Washington, Maggie Shipstead, Guy Gunaratne, and Kayo Chingonyi.
BBC News
21-03-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Dylan Thomas Prize: Swansea University award 2025 shortlist named
Six young writers from across the world have been shortlisted for the 2025 Swansea University Dylan Thomas award of £20,000 is given to writers aged 39 or younger for "exceptional" literary year's list includes writers from Palestine, the Netherlands, Ireland and the said the prize, in memory of the Swansea-born writer who died in 1953 at the age of 39, was the world's largest for young writers in the English language. The award celebrates the international world of fiction including poetry, novels, short stories and year's chairwoman of judges, Namita Gokhale, said: "The 2025 shortlist is varied and diverse: from ancient Sicily to tremulous nightwoods, it encompasses the historical, the contemporary, and the timeless through novels, short stories and poetry, showcasing startlingly fresh writing, style and energy."The winner will be announced during a ceremony in Swansea on 15 winners include Caleb Azumah Nelson, Arinze Ifeakandu, Patricia Lockwood, Max Porter, Raven Leilani, Bryan Washington, Guy Gunaratne, and Kayo Chingonyi. The full shortlist is: Rapture's Road by Seán Hewitt - poetry collection (UK/Ireland) Glorious Exploits by Ferdia Lennon - novel (Ireland)The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden - novel (The Netherlands) I Will Crash by Rebecca Watson - novel (UK)Moderate to Poor, Occasionally Good by Eley Williams - short story collection (UK)The Coin by Yasmin Zaher – novel (Palestine)
