It is with immense pleasure and pride that we congratulate Pradev Karan, the talented 11-year-old author of Being a Big Brother (B³), on his official nomination for the prestigious Ananta Press Sahitya Ratna Award. This nomination recognises not only an impressive literary achievement at a remarkably young age but also the honesty, compassion and emotional insight that make Pradev’s debut book truly exceptional.
The Ananta Press Sahitya Ratna Award celebrates writers whose work demonstrates literary value, originality, meaningful social impact and the power to inspire readers. Pradev’s nomination reflects the award committee’s appreciation of a young voice that brings sincerity and a refreshing perspective to contemporary children’s literature.
A Heartfelt Celebration of Sibling Love
Being a Big Brother is a touching non-fiction book inspired by Pradev’s personal experiences of becoming an elder brother to his younger sister, Preetha. Through family adventures, humorous incidents, sibling disagreements, shared lessons and affectionate everyday memories, Pradev presents childhood exactly as he experiences it—honest, playful, emotional and beautifully real.
Rather than creating fictional characters or imagined situations, Pradev courageously shares genuine moments from his own life. This authenticity gives the book its distinctive literary identity. Readers experience family relationships through the eyes of a child, allowing young readers to recognise their own emotions while offering parents a valuable opportunity to understand the thoughts, feelings and dreams of children more deeply.
At its heart, the book explores sibling love, kindness, responsibility, empathy, resilience and emotional growth. It reminds readers that growing up is shaped not only by major milestones but also by ordinary conversations, small disagreements, moments of laughter and simple acts of care. Pradev shows that even challenging experiences can teach meaningful lessons and strengthen family relationships.
Why the Award Committee Selected This Book
The award committee selected Being a Big Brother for its originality, emotional honesty and positive contribution to young readers and families. The book stands apart because it preserves the authentic voice of an 11-year-old writer. Its observations are not filtered through an adult perspective; they come directly from a child who is learning, questioning, feeling and growing.
This genuine narrative voice gives the book remarkable warmth and relatability. Pradev does not attempt to present childhood as perfect. Instead, he embraces its laughter, misunderstandings, disagreements, discoveries and moments of affection. By doing so, he creates a sincere portrayal of family life that can resonate across generations.
The committee also recognises the book’s meaningful message: children have important stories to tell, and their voices deserve to be heard. Through his writing, Pradev encourages other young people to express their feelings confidently, value their relationships and believe that age should never limit creativity or meaningful contribution.
The literary value of Being a Big Brother lies in its simplicity and truthfulness. Its accessible storytelling makes it suitable for children, while its emotional depth gives parents and families much to reflect upon. The book encourages conversations, strengthens understanding and celebrates the seemingly ordinary moments that often become our most treasured memories.
An Inspiring Young Author and Changemaker
Pradev Karan is currently a Grade 7 student at Baldwin Co Education Extension High School in Bengaluru. Curious, observant and imaginative, he enjoys reading, writing, travelling with his family and learning from everyday experiences. His ability to recognise meaning in ordinary moments has helped him emerge as one of the youngest published authors in his age group.
His creativity is strengthened by a deep sense of empathy and social responsibility. Pradev is among the youngest volunteers associated with Positive Alliance Trust (PAT), a nonprofit organisation founded by his mother, Ravitha. Through awareness programmes, community events and volunteer initiatives, he has gained valuable exposure to education, human rights, child protection and community well-being. These experiences have nurtured qualities of compassion, leadership and service that are also reflected in his writing.
Pradev comes from a family that values education, discipline, integrity and social contribution. His father, Prabhakaran, Finance Controller at Anant Cars Mahindra, has supported him with calm guidance and encouragement. His mother, Ravitha, an award-winning social impact leader and Founder of Positive Alliance Trust, has inspired him through her dedication to empowering women, children and communities. Above all, his younger sister, Preetha, is the inspiration at the heart of Being a Big Brother.
Completing and publishing a book at the age of 11 while balancing academics, extracurricular activities and community engagement is an extraordinary accomplishment. It reflects Pradev’s creativity, perseverance and confidence, while demonstrating what young people can achieve when their ideas are encouraged and their voices are respected.
A Well-Deserved Literary Recognition
Pradev Karan’s nomination for the Ananta Press Sahitya Ratna Award is a celebration of youthful creativity, authentic storytelling and literature that brings people closer together. Being a Big Brother makes a valuable contribution by presenting childhood and sibling relationships with rare honesty, warmth and emotional clarity.
We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Pradev Karan on this well-deserved nomination. May this recognition strengthen his confidence and inspire him to continue creating stories that promote kindness, empathy, curiosity and stronger family relationships.
We wish Pradev every success in his literary journey. His achievements already remind young people everywhere that they are never too young to share their stories, pursue their dreams or make a positive difference through the power of words.
