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Best-selling author Aparna Piramal Raje and Himalayan Writing Retreat launch fellowship to encourage and support ‘lived experiences’ and other Indian non-fiction
Amid the serenity of the Himalayas, an exceptional opportunity for aspiring authors to refine their craft, with a possible pathway to publication with Penguin.
NAINITAL, India, Dec. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The Himalayan Writing Retreat (HWR) announces the launch of the ‘HWR Khozem Merchant Non-Fiction Fellowship’. This prestigious initiative stands out in how it will help Indian writers. The Fellowship includes world-class mentorship, a tranquil and stimulating residency, financial support and the possibility of being published by Penguin, one of the leading publishing houses in the country.
The Fellowship has been endowed by Aparna Piramal Raje, the author of India’s best-selling memoir on mental health, Chemical Khichdi. The fellowship is named after Khozem Merchant, a mentor to many who have struggled to turn ideas into sparkling prose, chapters and storytelling.
“This fellowship is a tribute to Khozem’s impact on my writing journey,” says Aparna, “and is a step towards empowering new voices in the field of non-fiction.”
“This touching and generous gesture is India at its best and I’m confident it will give way to the best of Indian non-fiction,” said Khozem.
Penguin Random House India (PRHI) is the Publishing Partner of this fellowship. PRH will be involved in the selection of the fellows and will have first access to review the written work and the opportunity to offer publishing deals to some or all of the selected fellows. “We, at Penguin Random House India, are constantly in search of fresh new voices and writing talent, and we are proud to come on board this transformative fellowship, nurturing authentic voices and discovering impactful non-fiction. We’re excited to champion courageous and thought-provoking writing that has the potential to shape India’s literary landscape,” said Milee Ashwarya, Publisher-Adult Publishing, Penguin Random House India.
HWR is a retreat in every sense: nature, birdsong, and the view of snow-capped mountains are a muse to many. Ideas, stories and creators thrive here. HWR hosts many events, courses and residencies and esteemed experts like film director Shekhar Kapoor and authors Annie Zaidi and Gurcharan Das teach there.
“We want to give writers who have unique ideas or stories the guidance and space to bring them to completion,” says Chetan Mahajan, co-founder of the Himalayan Writing Retreat. With this fellowship HWR hopes to incubate great books by writers from diverse backgrounds and ethnicity.
The patrons are especially keen to host writers who want to convert their lived experiences into well-written books. In that sense this Fellowship is a reward for courage, “which we want to institutionalize,” says Aparna. “We’re offering this Fellowship because courage needs an ally,” adds Chetan.
The fellowship offers:
Exclusive Training: Fellows will participate in a 3-day masterclass with celebrated author Jerry Pinto in May 2025.
Residency in the Himalayas: A 21-day immersive residency will allow writers to focus on their craft, without distraction, in the serene Himalayan environment from July 13 to August 3, 2025.
Financial Support: Each Fellow will receive INR 50,000 upon completion of the residency, along with an INR 20,000 travel stipend.
Collaborative Environment: During the residency, Fellows work together as a cohort which will include a French writer-in-residence under the Villa Swagatam Indo-French cultural exchange program.
Application Details
The Fellowship is open to Indian citizens and residents aged 25 and above, working on long-form non-fiction narratives. One can apply now. Applications close on February 10, 2025.
In 2025, three Fellows will be selected based on the quality of their work and their commitment to the program. This selection will be made by the HWR team along with editors from Penguin Random House.
The Fellowship will culminate on April 30, 2026, when Fellows are expected to submit their completed manuscript to Penguin Random House.
For more information, visit https://www.himalayanwritingretreat.com/khozem-merchant-non-fiction-fellowship/ or contact us at info@himalayanwritingretreat.com.
About the Himalayan Writing Retreat
Nestled 6,500 feet above sea level, the Himalayan Writing Retreat is a haven for creative souls, especially writers seeking inspiration and solitude. With a proven track record of nurturing creative talent, HWR offers workshops, residencies, and resources for writers and creators.
HWR’s various events and initiatives include:
– Upcoming workshops and courses
– The Himalayan Emerging Writers Residency
– The HWR Writers’ Book Club
– The HWR First Draft Club
About Aparna Piramal Raje
Aparna Piramal Raje, a writer, public speaker and author of Chemical Khichdi: How I Hacked My Mental Health and Working Out of the Box: 40 Stories of Leading CEOs.
About Khozem Merchant
Khozem Merchant was for two decades a journalist with Financial Times; he remains a guiding force for many young aspiring authors and journalists. His legacy includes fostering talent and shaping impactful narratives. His mentorship deeply influenced Aparna Piramal Raje, inspiring the Fellowship named in his honor.
About Penguin Random House India
Penguin Random House India publishes over 250 new titles every year and has an active backlist of over 3000 titles. With a strong fiction and non-fiction list, it publishes across every segment including biography, travel, business, politics, history, religion and philosophy, lifestyle, cookery, health and fitness, sports and leisure, visual books, and children’s books. The children’s titles are published under the Puffin imprint.
Penguin Random House India’s illustrious list includes Booker Prize-winning novels and winners of virtually every major literary prize, including the Nobel Prize, the Magsaysay Award, the Jnanpith Award, the Sahitya Akademi Award, and the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize. Several of PRHI’s authors are also recipients of the Bharat Ratna and the Padma Vibhushan, India’s highest civilian honours.
Penguin Random House India is also the exclusive distribution partner for several leading local and international publishing houses in India and the sub-continent.
Contact:
Debdatta Dasgupta
info@himalayanwritingretreat.com
+91-73035-16665
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News Wire
Jameson Connects & Crepdog Crew Celebrate Subcultures with Limited-Edition Capsule
Celebrating community, creativity, and self-expression through a limited-edition drop inspired by India’s most vibrant subcultures.
MUMBAI, India, June 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Jameson Connects joins forces with India’s largest sneaker and streetwear retailer, Crepdog Crew, to launch a one-of-a-kind limited-edition capsule that celebrates the spirit of counterculture in India. The collaboration is being launched under Jameson Connects – Jam Studio, a culture and community-driven collaborative space, which brings together creative minds to help explore a fresh artistic landscape.
Rooted in the dynamic street and creative scenes of India, Jameson Connects and Crepdog Crew have come together to spotlight authentic voices and celebrate self-expression from the ground up. Inspired by bomber jacket patch culture, the drop reinterprets the spirit of individuality and identity through a distinctive camo-style shacket with interchangeable patches, designed to be a canvas for personal storytelling. Complementing the shacket are a tote bag and mug, completing a bold and collectible capsule collection.
Ayush Kalra pays homage to the tattoo scene, Vijaya Aswani captures the dynamic energy of skateboarding, Jayesh Joshi channels the freedom of the biking community, and Siddhartha Iyer brings alive the rhythm and soul of music.
Anchit Kapil, Co-founder and CEO, Crepdog Crew, said, “Subcultures shape the streets long before trends catch up. At Crepdog Crew, we’ve always built spaces—physical and creative—for the community to thrive. This shacket is our way of putting that truth on fabric—a celebration of individuality, identity, and the scenes that give cities their soul. With Jameson Connects, we’ve created more than a drop—we’ve created a canvas for the culture.”
Mo Joshi, Co-founder of Azadi Records, Culture partner for Jameson Connects, said, “Real culture grows where community thrives. Jameson Connects has always been about championing grassroots voices and giving artists a platform to be seen, heard, and celebrated. This collaboration with Crepdog Crew isn’t just about merch—it’s about movement.”
The drop celebrates the power of creative collaboration through art, music, and community-first experiences.
About Jameson Connects
Powered by Jameson Ginger Ale, Jameson Connects is a community-first platform for India’s creative voices. Through verticals like Jam Pad, Jam Stage, Jam Studio, and Jam Radio, it brings together culture-shaping individuals and subcultures to collaborate, co-create, and connect.
About Azadi Records
Azadi Records is a progressive Indian music label spotlighting thought-provoking hip-hop across regional languages and subcultures. Since 2017, it has given voice to the unheard, pushing the boundaries of what Indian music can be.
For press inquiries, please contact:
Shefali Bhatia, PR Pundit Havas Red | shefali.bhatia@prpundithavasred.com | +91 9821821032
Sanjana Jhawar, PR Pundit Havas Red | sanjana.jhawar@prpundithavasred.com | +91 7023080670
View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/in/news-releases/jameson-connects–crepdog-crew-celebrate-subcultures-with-limited-edition-capsule-302472881.html
News Wire
Jameson Connects & Crepdog Crew Celebrate Subcultures with Limited-Edition Capsule
Celebrating community, creativity, and self-expression through a limited-edition drop inspired by India’s most vibrant subcultures.
MUMBAI, India, June 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Jameson Connects joins forces with India’s largest sneaker and streetwear retailer, Crepdog Crew, to launch a one-of-a-kind limited-edition capsule that celebrates the spirit of counterculture in India. The collaboration is being launched under Jameson Connects – Jam Studio, a culture and community-driven collaborative space, which brings together creative minds to help explore a fresh artistic landscape.
Rooted in the dynamic street and creative scenes of India, Jameson Connects and Crepdog Crew have come together to spotlight authentic voices and celebrate self-expression from the ground up. Inspired by bomber jacket patch culture, the drop reinterprets the spirit of individuality and identity through a distinctive camo-style shacket with interchangeable patches, designed to be a canvas for personal storytelling. Complementing the shacket are a tote bag and mug, completing a bold and collectible capsule collection.
Ayush Kalra pays homage to the tattoo scene, Vijaya Aswani captures the dynamic energy of skateboarding, Jayesh Joshi channels the freedom of the biking community, and Siddhartha Iyer brings alive the rhythm and soul of music.
Anchit Kapil, Co-founder and CEO, Crepdog Crew, said, “Subcultures shape the streets long before trends catch up. At Crepdog Crew, we’ve always built spaces—physical and creative—for the community to thrive. This shacket is our way of putting that truth on fabric—a celebration of individuality, identity, and the scenes that give cities their soul. With Jameson Connects, we’ve created more than a drop—we’ve created a canvas for the culture.”
Mo Joshi, Co-founder of Azadi Records, Culture partner for Jameson Connects, said, “Real culture grows where community thrives. Jameson Connects has always been about championing grassroots voices and giving artists a platform to be seen, heard, and celebrated. This collaboration with Crepdog Crew isn’t just about merch—it’s about movement.”
The drop celebrates the power of creative collaboration through art, music, and community-first experiences.
About Jameson Connects
Powered by Jameson Ginger Ale, Jameson Connects is a community-first platform for India’s creative voices. Through verticals like Jam Pad, Jam Stage, Jam Studio, and Jam Radio, it brings together culture-shaping individuals and subcultures to collaborate, co-create, and connect.
About Azadi Records
Azadi Records is a progressive Indian music label spotlighting thought-provoking hip-hop across regional languages and subcultures. Since 2017, it has given voice to the unheard, pushing the boundaries of what Indian music can be.
For press inquiries, please contact:
Shefali Bhatia, PR Pundit Havas Red | shefali.bhatia@prpundithavasred.com | +91 9821821032
Sanjana Jhawar, PR Pundit Havas Red | sanjana.jhawar@prpundithavasred.com | +91 7023080670
View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/in/news-releases/jameson-connects–crepdog-crew-celebrate-subcultures-with-limited-edition-capsule-302472881.html
News Wire
Jameson Connects grooves to Grammy winner Anderson .Paak in Mumbai
An intimate celebration of music, culture, and community, also featured Seedhe Maut and Shekhinah
MUMBAI, India, June 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Music lovers in Mumbai were treated to an unforgettable evening as Jameson Connects brought its signature global experience, Distilled Sounds, to India’s cultural capital with an electrifying night of rhythm, soul, and connection. Headlining the showcase was none other than Grammy Award-winning artist Anderson .Paak as DJ Pee .Wee, who took over Famous Studios, Mumbai, for a high-voltage, electrifying up-close performance that brought unmatched energy to this thrilling chapter of Jameson Connects.
DJ Pee .Wee, the dynamic alter ego of Anderson .Paak, delivered a high-energy DJ set that showcased his impeccable taste and versatility behind the console. Known for his genre-blending sound that merges hip-hop, soul, funk, and R&B, Anderson .Paak additionally treated audiences to an intimate live performance towards the end, captivating them with his rich musicality and vibrant presence.
Adding to the evening’s vibrant soundscape was a duo who need little introduction — Seedhe Maut. Fresh off the release of their eighth project DL91 FM, the genre-defying Delhi-based icons brought their razor-sharp lyrics and explosive live energy. Joining them was South African powerhouse Shekhinah, celebrated for her soulful vocals and signature fusion of R&B and pop. Together, they formed a thrilling trifecta of artistry that embodies Jameson’s spirit of fearless creativity and community.
With each edition, Jameson Connects continues to raise the bar in crafting immersive cultural experiences that merge music, community, and creativity. Known for spotlighting boundary-breaking talent from around the world while championing local voices, the platform has become a space where global artistry meets homegrown expression. The upcoming Mumbai showcase is set to be no different-an intimate yet high-impact gathering that celebrates the spirit of connection, the power of live performance, and the magic that unfolds when diverse creative energies come together under one roof.
More than just a music event, Jameson Connects delivered a curated celebration of culture, community, and connection. From eclectic pop-ups by homegrown brands to vibrant F&B experiences and the thoughtfully curated zones, every element is designed to spark conversations and camaraderie.
Stay tuned for what’s next from Jameson Connects.
Link: https://www.instagram.com/jameson_alwaysintomixin?igsh=eGszaTBsNTV5N2Yx
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Jameson Connects & Crepdog Crew Celebrate Subcultures with Limited-Edition Capsule
Jameson Connects & Crepdog Crew Celebrate Subcultures with Limited-Edition Capsule
Jameson Connects grooves to Grammy winner Anderson .Paak in Mumbai
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