The Kiran Tamuly Sishu Sahitya Bota 2025 was conferred in Jorhat, recognising outstanding contributions to children’s literature in Assam. 

• The awards are instituted in memory of Dr Kiranmayee (Kiran) Tamuly, a prominent Assamese children’s writer.
• The award is given for original and creative children’s books in Assamese language.
• The awards were presented by the Kiran Tamuly Sishu-Sahitya Nyas, established to honour the legacy of Dr Kiran Tamuly. 
• Four awards were given in 2025:
  • Subrata Kumar Dutta – for creative and original children’s literature for his novel Motoo.
  • Dr Dalima Kakati – for children’s literature review for Sisur Mon Aaru Asomiya Sishu-Sahitya Somikhya.
  • Dr Sanjeeb Borah – for illustrations in Motoo.
  • Banalata Publishing House (Guwahati) – for its contribution to Assamese children’s book publishing.
• Each award carries Rs 25,000, a citation, and a memento.

About Kiran Tamuly and the Literary Legacy

• Dr Kiranmayee Tamuly, was a leading Assamese children’s writer known for blending imagination with scientific curiosity. 
• She was a physician by profession who contributed to Assamese children’s literature.
• Her novel ‘Aparajeya’ was published by National Book Trust, India which was later translated into Hindi. 
• National Book Trust also published her children’s book ‘Saha Aru Kasor Dour’ in Assamese, Hindi and English.
• She wrote travelogues ‘Themsor Doyopar’ and ‘America America’. 
• She wrote on health and medical science for children regularly in the children’s magazines ‘Mouchaq‘ and ‘Natun Awiscar’.
  • Later these writings were compiled in her book ‘Jona-Nojana Rogor Katha’. 
• Dr Kiranmoyee Tamuly passed away on October 9, 2021. 
• The Kiran Tamuly Trust for children’s literature was instituted for inspiring and honouring writers in the arena of children’s literature in Assamese language.

Highlights of the Event

• At the event, Rothindra Nath Goswami, Sahitya Akademi Bal Sahitya awardee, delivered the memorial lecture on global trends in children’s literature.
• He highlighted key insights:
  • India sold books worth Rs 72,000 crore in 2022, ranking 4th globally.
  • Majority of the sales are non-trade books (educational/entrance exam material).
  • Children’s literature accounts for around Rs 700 crore in India.
  • Indians read 16 books annually on average, slightly behind the US (18 books).
    

Note: The first Assamese children’s magazine was Lora Bandhu edited by Karunaviram Boruah.

Q. Consider the following statements regarding the Kiran Tamuly Sishu Sahitya Bota:

1. The award is instituted in memory of Dr Kiranmayee Tamuly, a noted Assamese children’s writer.
   
2. The award includes a cash prize of Rs 25,000 for each category.
   
3. The award is given for creative  and translated children’s books written in Assamese language.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (a)

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