The Shoolini University Literature Festival concluded with a powerful tribute to courage and resilience, announcing the inaugural Pallavi Sarswatula Memorial Award winners.
This prestigious award honours the memory of Pallavi Sarswatula, a young woman whose strong spirit left an indelible mark on many lives before her untimely passing due to cancer just two months after she graced the festival stage in March 2023. Pallavi’s legacy continues through her significant contributions, including her co-authored book ‘Don’t Ask Me How I Am Doing’, which captured the collective journey of young cancer survivors and caregivers. Her story deeply inspired the festival’s panel of judges, including S Prabhakar, Pallavi’s father, and the professors of Liberal Arts at Shoolini University.
At the award ceremony, Priyadarshini Narendra and Anisha Motwani received the Pallavi Sarswatula Memorial Award. Their collaborative work, ‘She Storms the Norm’, highlights the triumphs and challenges of working women who defy societal expectations and embody the resilience and diversity of the female experience.
Yamini Prashanth received a special mention for her introspective poetry collection ‘Food for Thought’, an exploration of mental health struggles and personal growth.
The award also recognised the impactful contributions of nominees such as Namkala Chapgain, Kamayani, Sachi Dhillon, and Ankita Srivastava, whose literary endeavours spanned themes of cultural exploration, female identity, adventure, and breaking stereotypes.
Shoolini University trustee and Director of the Literature Festival, Ashoo Khosla, emphasised the event’s commitment to celebrating the courage and narrative strength of women authors. “The Shoolini Literature Festival remains dedicated to honouring voices like Pallavi’s, which inspire and empower through storytelling,” she stated. Ashoo Khosla, also the Chief Learning Officer at Shoolini University, added that the purpose of the award was to inspire and support women who transformed adversity into powerful narratives.
Solan, March 28
