Nirmala Lakshman wins Sharjah International Non-Fiction Book Award 2026
On 4 November 2026, Indian author and journalist Nirmala Lakshman received the Sharjah Award for Best International Non-Fiction Book 2026 for her book The Tamils: A Portrait of a Community, at the Sharjah International Book Fair in the United Arab Emirates. Published by Aleph Book Company in January 2025, the work surveys Tamil history, literature, culture, religion, politics and social identity. The award carries a cash prize of AED 50,000 and recognises excellence in international non-fiction writing. The honour highlights the role of Indian authors on the global literary stage and reflects growing interest in South Asian narratives. The award emphasises cross-cultural dialogue and the importance of documenting diaspora and regional communities.
Award date: 4 November 2026.
Book: The Tamils: A Portrait of a Community; publisher Aleph Book Company.
Explores Tamil history, culture and social identity.
AED 50,000 cash prize.
Signals growing Indian presence in international non-fiction.
Nov 06, 2026
Edmund Richardson Wins 2026 Baillie Gifford Prize
British historian and Durham University Professor Edmund Richardson won the 2026 Baillie Gifford Prize for Nonfiction for his book Alexander: God, King, Man. The award ceremony took place at BMA House in London in November 2026. Richardson spent more than a decade researching the life and legacy of Alexander the Great. The Baillie Gifford Prize recognises outstanding nonfiction writing and is among the world's most prestigious literary awards. The win highlights sustained scholarly work in ancient history and biographical studies.
Edmund Richardson winner of Baillie Gifford Prize 2026
Book: Alexander: God, King, Man
Ceremony held at BMA House, London
Prize honors long-form nonfiction scholarship
Celebrates achievements in ancient history studies
Nov 05, 2026
Nirmala Sitharaman releases ₹250 coin for Dikshitar anniversary
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman released a ₹250 commemorative coin on 3 November 2026 to mark the 250th birth anniversary of Carnatic composer Muthuswami Dikshitar. The event, held at Swatantrata Bhavan, IIT-BHU, Varanasi, saw the limited edition coin minted by the India Government Mint in Mumbai and offered for ₹6,985. The 35-gram coin comprises 50% silver, 40% copper, 5% nickel and 5% zinc. Alongside the coin, Sitharaman unveiled Amara Guruguham Potruvam, a book detailing Dikshitar’s life, philosophy and musical contributions. Dikshitar is renowned as a member of the Carnatic Music Trinity, blending devotion, philosophy and classical music in Sanskrit compositions.
Coin denomination: ₹250; limited edition, not for general circulation.
Book launch: Amara Guruguham Potruvam on Dikshitar’s life and work.
Alexander: God, King, Man wins Baillie Gifford Prize for Nonfiction
Edmund Richardson’s Alexander: God, King, Man won the Baillie Gifford Prize for Nonfiction on 4 November 2026, receiving £50,000 (about US$67,000). The London ceremony recognised Richardson, a Durham University classics professor, for decades of research into Alexander the Great’s life and translations from twelve languages. Chair Kirsty Lang praised the work as immersive and groundbreaking in archaeology and source analysis. The prize, first awarded in 1999, selected Richardson’s biography from over 350 entries, defeating five shortlisted books. Other contenders included London Falling, Baldwin: A Love Story, The Great Dictator, Days of Love and Rage, and The Traveler.
Baillie Gifford Prize 2026 winner: Alexander: God, King, Man by Edmund Richardson.
Prize: £50,000; ceremony in London; date 4 November 2026.
Richardson’s research spans 12 ancient languages and decades of study.
Judges described the work as immersive and novel in insight.
Competition included prominent nonfiction titles from diverse fields.
Nov 03, 2026
Prashant Chaudhary wins Rohini Nayyar Prize for Rural Development
Prashant Chaudhary, founder of CodeYogi Foundation, has won the Rohini Nayyar Prize for Outstanding Contribution to Rural Development (November 2026). His organisation has impacted over 3.5 lakh students across 9 states and 120 districts by delivering smartphone‑based tech education in Indian languages. Chaudhary plans to donate the prize money to the foundation. The foundation offers a 30‑day AI fluency course teaching practical tools and concepts, aiming to remove barriers to tech learning by leveraging mobile devices rather than computer labs or English lessons. The award recognises leadership in expanding digital access for rural students.
Chaudhary wins Rohini Nayyar Prize in November 2026.
CodeYogi Foundation reached 3.5 lakh students across 9 states.
Smartphone‑based AI education in Indian languages employed.
Prize money donated to the foundation’s programs.
30‑day AI course focuses on practical skills for rural learners.
Nov 02, 2026
Prashant Chaudhary wins Rohini Nayyar Prize 2026
Technology educator Prashant Chaudhary, founder of the CodeYogi Foundation, received the fifth Rohini Nayyar Prize for Outstanding Contribution to Rural Development on 31 October 2026 in New Delhi. The award, presented by Amitabh Kant, former NITI Aayog CEO, carries ₹10 lakh, a citation, and a trophy. Chaudhary was recognised for extending coding, artificial intelligence, and technology education to rural students through smartphones, helping bridge the digital divide. Instituted in 2022 in memory of economist Rohini Nayyar, the prize recognises rural development and inclusive innovation, highlighting how digital literacy can empower communities and advance India’s inclusive-growth objectives.
Date: 31 October 2026; prize presentation in New Delhi.
Recipient: Prashant Chaudhary, CodeYogi Foundation founder.
Prize: Rohini Nayyar Prize with ₹10 lakh, citation, trophy.
Contribution: coding and AI education for rural students via smartphones.
Significance: promotes rural development and inclusive innovation.
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