New Delhi: Acclaimed author and Indian Express Chief Editor Raj Kamal Jha has been awarded the prestigious Banaras Lit Fest Award in the Ruskin Bond Fiction Book Award Category for his novel The Patient in Bed Number 12 (Penguin India). The announcement was made at the Curtain Raiser event of the Banaras Lit Fest in Delhi.
Jha’s novel is a powerful exploration of contemporary India, weaving together the stories of restless, ambitious youth navigating personal and societal burdens. Often referred to as India’s “novelist of the newsroom,” Jha delves into themes of mistrust, ambition, and the lingering shadows of history. His storytelling style, known for its poetic intensity and deep social observations, has once again earned him literary recognition.
The Banaras Lit Fest Book Awards 2025 celebrate excellence in poetry, fiction, non-fiction, and translation, recognizing authors whose works challenge conventions, inspire thought, and enrich India’s literary heritage. This year’s winning books reflect diverse themes of identity, history, language, and modern-day challenges, further reinforcing the festival’s reputation as one of the most prestigious literary honors in India.
Alongside the book awards, the Bhartendu Harishchandra Lifetime Achievement Award will be conferred upon eminent Hindi writer Kashinath Singh, acknowledging his immense contribution to Hindi literature.
The Banaras Lit Fest Awards 2025 will be formally presented during the Banaras Lit Fest, set to take place from March 7 to 9, 2025, at Hotel Taj, Banaras. The festival will bring together renowned authors, scholars, and literary enthusiasts from across the country, fostering intellectual discussions and literary appreciation.
Speaking on the occasion, Deepak Madhok, President of the Banaras Lit Fest, said: “The Banaras Lit Fest Book Awards stand as a beacon of literary brilliance, recognizing works that challenge, transform, and elevate the literary discourse of our times. This year’s winners have showcased extraordinary storytelling and intellectual depth, illuminating the vast and vibrant landscape of Indian literature.”
Adding to this, Brijesh Singh, Founder & Secretary of the Banaras Lit Fest, congratulated the winners, emphasizing their contribution to contemporary writing and cultural discourse. He also expressed gratitude to the esteemed jury, led by Prof. Jatin Nayak, along with Prof. Banibrata Mahanta, Dr. Priti Choudhary, Dr. Lalit Kumar, and Dr. Pravin Kumar, for their meticulous selection process.
The Banaras Lit Fest, conceptualized by Curator Ashutosh Kumar Thakur, continues to celebrate and promote literary excellence, bringing together some of India’s finest literary voices. As the event approaches, anticipation builds for an enriching three-day literary gathering, where books, ideas, and creativity will take center stage.
