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Five Writers Awarded the Prestigious HWR Khozem Merchant Non-Fiction Fellowship

NAINITAL, India, April 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The Himalayan Writing Retreat (HWR) announced the five recipients of the 2025 HWR Khozem Merchant Non-Fiction Fellowship, selected from a highly competitive pool of 183 applicants from across India.

Following a rigorous two-stage review process, 25 writers were shortlisted earlier this year. After careful evaluation, the final five fellows were selected this week for their compelling proposals and potential to contribute meaningfully to the Indian non-fiction literary landscape.

The selected fellows are:

  • Anusuya Basu
  • Anju Narayanan
  • Jeff Joseph Paul Kadicheeni
  • Radheshyam Jadhav
  • Shirin Mehrotra

“Given the number of excellent proposals we received, choosing the final five wasn’t an easy task. It came down to the quality of the writing and the durability of the idea. In years to come, I am certain that the fellowship will likely inspire many excellent non-fiction works,” said Karthik Venkatesh, Executive Editor at Penguin Random House India, and Jury member.

“Each project aims to present a different shade of human experience and to explore, often through deeply personal narratives, what it means to overcome adversity. These are all works-in-progress, demonstrating great promise, but the winning entries seemed much closer to the finishing line as writing projects, both in terms of the writer’s vision and intention,” added Jury member Vineet Gill, also an editor at Penguin Random House India.

Endowed by best-selling author Aparna Piramal Raje, Lata Gullapalli and Saumya Roy, the fellowship honors Khozem Merchant, a former Financial Times journalist and a mentor to many emerging writers. The initiative is designed to support writers working on long-form non-fiction centered on lived experience, personal narratives, history, memoir, and narrative journalism.

Each fellow will participate in a five-day masterclass with acclaimed author Jerry Pinto in May, followed by a fully funded 21-day writing residency in the Himalayas in July. They will also receive a ₹50,000 grant upon completion of the residency and a ₹20,000 travel stipend. Fellows will submit their completed manuscripts to Penguin Random House India by April 30, 2026, for consideration.

“The winning projects capture everything we want for the Fellowship: all writers with a lot of work under their belts who can take on challenging stories that may otherwise not have happened,” said Aparna Piramal Raje.”

“I congratulate every single person who applied. It doesn’t matter if you were shortlisted or selected – you have articulated an idea. If it matters to you, you should pursue and take it to completion,” said Chetan Mahajan, co-founder of the Himalayan Writing Retreat.

For more information, visit: https://www.himalayanwritingretreat.com/khozem-merchant-non-fiction-fellowship/

Media Contact:

info@himalayanwritingretreat.com

+91-7303516665

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Peter England unveils its newest campaign ‘The Gentlemen’s League – League of Legends’

Peter England Pays a Nostalgic Tribute to Cricket’s Greatest Legends

MUMBAI, India, April 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Peter England, India’s leading menswear brand from the house of Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Limited, proudly announces the return of The Gentlemen’s League with its bold new collection – The League of Legends.

Launched during the country’s most celebrated cricketing festival, JioStar IPL, the brand pays homage to the game’s most iconic figures – Kapil Dev, Sir Vivian Richards, and the unmistakable voice of international cricket, Harsha Bhogle. In a nation deeply passionate about cricket, this first-ever collaboration between Peter England and cricketing legends marks a celebration of heritage, style, and the enduring charm of the gentleman’s game.

Originally introduced in 2023 as a tribute to cricket’s timeless spirit, The Gentlemen’s League returns with an elevated vision – not just as a collection, but as a cultural moment. The League of Legends capsule features a striking range of polos and crew necks, adorned with graphics inspired by the most iconic on-field moments of Kapil Dev and Sir Vivian Richards. Each piece reflects their attitude, flair, and fearlessness, designed for today’s modern gentleman who values legacy while embracing the present.

Unlike traditional sports merchandise, this collection reimagines cricket-inspired fashion through a smart casual and sport-formal lens – a distinctive positioning in India’s fashion landscape. With precision tailoring, breathable fabrics, and heritage-inspired details, The League of Legends offers a versatile wardrobe that moves effortlessly from the boardroom to after-hours, from match screenings to weekend outings.

The collection artfully balances tradition and contemporary style, featuring colours drawn from the world of classic cricket and refined touches like cable knit structures, signature stripes, and cricket-inspired motifs. Key pieces include cable-knit sweaters, mnemonic cricket polos, and prints inspired by the seams and textures of cricket balls – all designed to seamlessly integrate the spirit of the game into everyday style.

Speaking on the launch, Anil S Kumar, Chief Operating Officer at Peter England, said: “Continuing from the Gentlemen’s League collection– the new League of Legends capsule is a celebration and our humble tribute to cricket’s timeless appeal and the charisma of the men who shaped it. Having legends like Kapil Dev, Sir Vivian Richards, and Harsha Bhogle on board makes this collection authentic and aspirational. It’s a bold new chapter for Peter England and for the modern Indian man who dresses with purpose, pride, and passion.”

The League of Legends collection is now available across 240+ Peter England exclusive brand outlets and on the brand’s online store. With this launch, Peter England not only celebrates cricket but also redefines what it means to be a gentleman – on and off the pitch.

About Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Limited 

ABFRL is part of a leading Indian conglomerate, The Aditya Birla Group. With revenue of Rs. 13,996 Cr. spanning retail space of 11.9 million sq. ft. (as of March 31, 2024), it is India’s first billion-dollar pure-play fashion powerhouse with an elegant bouquet of leading fashion brands and retail formats.

The Company has a network of 4,538 stores across approximately 37,952 multi-brand outlets with 9,047 points of sale in department stores across India (as of 30th September 2024).

It has a repertoire of India’s largest brands in Louis Philippe, Van Heusen, Allen Solly and Peter England, established over 25 years. Pantaloons is one of India’s leading fashion retailers, while Style Up is an emerging value retail format.

The Company’s international Brands portfolio includes – The Collective, Amongst India’s largest multi-brand retailers of international brands and has long term exclusive partnerships with select brands such as Ralph Lauren, Hackett London, Ted Baker, Fred Perry, Forever 21, American Eagle, Reebok, Simon Carter and Galeries Lafayette.

The Company’s foray into the branded ethnic wear business includes brands such as Jaypore, Tasva & Marigold Lane. The company has strategic partnerships with Designers ‘Shantnu & Nikhil’, ‘Tarun Tahiliani’, ‘Sabyasachi’ and ‘House of Masaba’. This also encompasses the recently amalgamated TCNS portfolio of women’s ethnic brands: W, Aurelia, Wishful, Elleven, and Folksong.

In addition, to cater to the needs of digitally native consumers, ABFRL is building a portfolio of Digital-first brands under its technology led ‘House of D2C Brands’ venture TMRW. TMRW is on a path to building a portfolio of Digital First brands in partnership with founders of emerging brands in the E-Commerce market. 

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Third Wave Coffee and HarperCollins India launch ‘Paperbacks & Pour Overs’ to celebrate the joy of reading over coffee

NEW DELHI, April 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — This World Book Day, Third Wave Coffee, India’s beloved homegrown coffee brand, and HarperCollins India, a leading global publisher, come together to launch ‘Paperbacks & Pour Overs’ – an initiative that brings the timeless love for books and brews to life.

Thoughtfully curated, Paperbacks & Pour Overs aims to create warm, welcoming corners for readers and coffee lovers at select Third Wave Coffee cafés across the country. These cafés will feature a handpicked HarperCollins Discovery Set—an engaging collection of popular and bestselling titles from both local and international lists. Housed on dedicated bookshelves, the selection will be refreshed periodically, ensuring there’s always something new to explore. These literary additions are designed to transform each café into a cozy reading nook—inviting comfort, sparking conversations, and offering a moment of quiet reflection for solo readers and book lovers alike, all while enjoying their favourite brews.

At Third Wave Coffee, we’ve always believed that our cafés are more than just places to grab a great cup — they’re where people pause, connect, and create. Coffee and books have always come together effortlessly, and with Paperbacks & Pour Overs, we’re excited to give this natural pairing a place in our spaces. This partnership is a celebration of two rituals — reading and brewing — and we’re proud to bring them to life for our community,” said Rajat Luthra, CEO, Third Wave Coffee.

Coffee and books have always come together — it’s the most obvious and timeless pairing. This partnership simply gives that everyday magic a curated corner to thrive in. With this effort, Third Wave Coffee aims to seamlessly weave reading into everyday café culture, spotlighting the timeless connect between coffee and books.

Speaking about this initiative, Shabnam Srivastava – GM Marketing, HarperCollins India, adds, “As we go ahead with our plan of building READ[er] communities, we are thrilled to have Third Wave Coffee as our partners to jointly build up on the bond between coffee and books as we endeavor to add another dimension to the coffee-lovers’ experience by bringing them a list of curated books to read as they sip!”

While the books are not for sale, customers are encouraged to pick up a paperback, read while sipping their favorite pour-over, and place it back for someone else to enjoy. The partnership also paves the way for a series of literature-led experiences, including author-led masterclasses, interactive workshops, book meetups, and co-branded merchandise—all thoughtfully designed for those who enjoy their books with a side of brew. Together, Third Wave Coffee and HarperCollins India aim to bring the café brand’s literary vision to life: connecting readers with stories, and stories with spaces that inspire.

With Paperbacks & Pour Overs, Third Wave Coffee and HarperCollins India are brewing a shared space for literature and lifestyle to meet — one page, one pour, and one conversation at a time. This collaboration invites everyone to stop by, pick up a book, enjoy a cup of coffee, and become part of a growing movement where creativity, caffeine, and community come together.

About Third Wave Coffee: Third Wave Coffee is a coffee and food QSR brand founded by Sushant Goel, Anirudh Sharma and Ayush Bathwal in 2015. With a commitment to quality and innovation, the homegrown coffee QSR chain has rapidly expanded to over 140 stores nationwide, earning a reputation as one of the fastest-growing coffee brands in the country. Third Wave Coffee is dedicated to providing a high-quality coffee-first experience to its customers across the country with a specific focus on high-quality beans, convenient locations and a technology-enabled consumer experience. Celebrated as a trailblazer in the industry, the brand was recognised as one of the ET Now Best Brands of 2024. For more information, visit Third Wave Coffee at https://www.thirdwavecoffeeroasters.com.

About HarperCollins India: HarperCollins India publishes some of the finest writers from the Indian subcontinent and around the world, publishing approximately 200 new books every year, with a print and digital catalogue of more than 2000 titles across 10 imprints. Its authors have won almost every major literary award including the Man Booker Prize, JCB Prize, DSC Prize, New India Foundation Award, Atta Galatta Prize, Shakti Bhatt Prize, Gourmand Cookbook Award, Publishing Next Award, Tata Literature Live!, Gaja Capital Business Book Prize, BICW Award, Sushila Devi Award, Sahitya Akademi Award and Crossword Book Award. HarperCollins India also represents some of the finest publishers in the world including Harvard University Press, Gallup Press, Oneworld, Bonnier Zaffre, Usborne, Dover and Lonely Planet. HarperCollins India is also the recipient of five Publisher of the Year Awards – in 2021 and 2015 at the Publishing Next Industry Awards, and in 2021, 2018 and 2016 at Tata Literature Live. HarperCollins India is a subsidiary of HarperCollins Publishers.

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CEPT University Invites Practicing Architects to the Second Edition of Prestigious International Program in London

~ Urgent Call for Applications: Last Date to Apply – April 30, 2025

AHMEDABAD, India, April 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — CEPT University’s CEPT Professional Programs (CPP) has announced the second edition of its highly acclaimed international program — Global Practices in Architecture & Urban Design. This is the second batch of this program, and it is scheduled to take place from June 16 to June 24, 2025. This exclusive nine-day, on-site professional development experience in London is designed for practicing architects and urban designers eager to gain first-hand exposure to contemporary global practices in urban design, placemaking, and architectural innovation.

With only a few days left for applications to close, this program presents a timely and rare opportunity for professionals to engage deeply with one of the world’s most dynamic urban environments. The application deadline is April 30, 2025, and interested individuals can apply for the program on this link: https://cpp.cept.ac.in/program/global-practices-in-architecture-urban-design-batch-02

A Global Learning Experience Anchored in London

Curated and led by Prof. A Srivathsan, Head of the Centre for Research in Architecture and Urbanism at CRDF and Steven Smith, Director of London-based architecture firm, Urban Narrative, this immersive program offers an in-depth exploration of architectural and urban developments that have shaped modern London.

The program comprises guided walking tours to iconic precincts such as King’s Cross, dialogues and workshops with leading architects and urban practitioners based in the UK, visits to major redevelopment sites, heritage quarters and culturally significant districts and tailored site visits based on participants’ individual interests.

Emphasising the relevance of the program for practicing architects, Prof. Subhrangsu Goswami, Head – CPP, said, London’s urban transformation over the past century — from the Olympic-led renewal of East London to the heritage-driven revival of South Kensington — offers valuable insights into how cities adapt to change. In today’s evolving architectural landscape, this program provides professionals with a unique opportunity to engage with global practices and critically explore the intersection of design, history, and urban innovation.”

Who Should Apply

This program is exclusively tailored for mid-career and senior professionals in architecture and urban design who are looking to expand their practice internationally, engage with new design vocabularies, and learn from the lived realities of a city renowned for its urban complexity and design excellence.

Upon completion, participants will receive a Certificate from CEPT University, adding a globally recognized credential to their professional portfolio.

Application Process and Visa Support

Given the international nature of the program, CEPT Professional Programs (CPP) strongly encourages early application to allow sufficient time for visa processing. The admissions team will provide support letters and host an online pre-departure briefing to help participants prepare for the experience.

About CEPT University

CEPT University is a recognized leader in education and research in the areas of architecture, planning, design, technology and urban management. Its teaching programs aim to build thoughtful professionals and its research programs deepen understanding in its areas of expertise.  CEPT University also undertakes advisory projects to support the national, state and city governments and large sections of private industry. Through its education, research and advisory activities, the University strives to contribute to enriching the lives of people in India’s villages, towns and cities. 

The University comprises five faculties: viz. the Faculty of Architecture, the Faculty of Planning, the Faculty of Technology, the Faculty of Design, and the Faculty of Management. In December 2023, CEPT University was recognized by the Government of India as a Centre of Excellence in Urban Planning and Design. This comes with an endowment of Rs. 250 Crore to be used towards the research and training on India specific knowledge in Urban Planning and Design over the next 25 years.

CEPT University was established by the CEPT University Act of 2005 enacted by the government of Gujarat. It was originally started in 1962 as the School of Architecture supported by the Ahmedabad Education Society. The Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR) of the Government of India recognizes the University as a Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (SIRO). CEPT University is recognized as a Center of Excellence by the Government of Gujarat. CEPT University has over 30 ongoing collaborations and exchange programs with top-ranked universities across the world.

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