At 16, Aaditya Sengupta Dhar is gaining recognition as a distinctive storyteller, using his work to highlight voices often overlooked. The Mumbai teen바카라™s recent win of the Rabindranath Tagore Memorial Award for Literature 2025 recognizes his literary skill and his focus on social impact. His latest project, Apna Time Aayega, an anthology of letters by Mumbai바카라™s slum youth, reflects his purpose-driven approach, presenting a young writer who sees storytelling as a bridge to opportunity and change.
Raised in Powai, Aaditya grew up surrounded by Mumbai바카라™s strong contrasts바카라”modern high-rises looming overcrowded slums. The 2020 lockdowns, with migrant workers trekking home under a scorching sun, struck a chord. 바카라œI saw two Indias, living worlds apart,바카라 he says softly, his tone reflective rather than self-assured. This moment shifted his focus from the fantasy worlds of his early novels, like Legend of the Broken Blade, to the real struggles nearby. He utilized his storytelling skills to mentor teens from underserved communities, guiding them to write the stories that became Apna Time Aayega, published in April 2025 with Udaan India Foundation and Anecdote Publishing.
The anthology reflects the resilience of its young authors. Dhananjay, once a construction worker, now dreams of civil services, while Shalini became her family바카라™s first Chartered Accountant. Aaditya바카라™s role was to listen and nurture, helping teens develop their narratives. 바카라œTheir strength taught me more than I offered,바카라 he says. The book바카라™s launch was electric, with tears, applause, and Aaditya leading a chant: 바카라œOur time will come!바카라 Sales fund Udaan바카라™s education programs, which have uplifted marginalized communities for 20 years. Udaan바카라™s founder, Mamta Rangan, acknowledges Aaditya바카라™s sensitivity for providing these stories life.
Aaditya바카라™s path reflects a teen driven by purpose. His six books, including the Amazon hit Kaalchakra, which highlights Indian heritage, and The Teen바카라™s Guide to Saving the World, a youth call to action, have earned accolades like the 2024 Young Achievers Award. he remains focused on the current issues, citing IMF data that Indian graduates face unemployment rates nine times higher than the illiterate. 바카라œEvery dream needs a chance,바카라 he urges, encouraging readers to mentor or back efforts like Udaan.
His initiatives extend his storytelling ethos. Through his Vedanomics column in BW Businessworld, Aaditya connects ancient Indian wisdom to modern policy issues. His Spotify podcast, with nearly two lakh streams, explores compassionate leadership with CXOs. He also founded HistoByte, India바카라™s first historical fiction contest for teens, encouraging creativity across 23 cities. These projects reflect a young mind eager to encourage curiosity and action among peers.
Apna Time Aayega stands out for its collaborative heart. Building trust with teens to share personal stories took patience, Aaditya notes, adding that being a teen himself helped. Juggling workshops, editing, school, and ventures like Kaalchakra was tough, but the teens바카라™ resolve fuelled him. 바카라œI learned storytelling바카라™s power lies in lifting others바카라™ voices,바카라 he reflects.
The Tagore Award honours Apna Time Aayega and Aaditya바카라™s broad impact. His books, from Underdogs supporting Save the Children India to The Teen바카라™s Guide inspiring action, consistently combine storytelling with purpose. Yet, he deflects attention to those he enables. 바카라œI바카라™m just part of their story,바카라 he says of the anthology바카라™s writers.
Aaditya Sengupta Dhar demonstrates age doesn바카라™t limit impact. His storytelling isn바카라™t about personal acclaim but about creating space for others to dream and speak. As he writes and mentors, this teen storyteller is helping build a future where every voice counts, showing India바카라™s youth are not just the future바카라”they바카라™re shaping the present.
