Recently, I had the opportunity to attend the retirement farewell function of a senior executive of the Bank of India. There, I was fortunate to meet the renowned novelist and children’s writer, Yashwant Mehta, fondly known as “Yashwant Dada.” This affectionate nickname reflects his warm and endearing personality, which is cherished by his fans and readers—especially children.
Recalling my memories, I remember taking my two children to attend Yashwant Mehta’s storytelling sessions. It was truly a special experience for them, and even after 20 years, his stories have left a lasting impact on their minds.
Yashwant Dada’s contributions to Gujarati literature are substantial. His remarkable body of work has had a profound and enduring influence on the literary landscape of Gujarat, particularly in the field of children’s literature. His impressive list of awards and recognitions testifies to his dedication and significant achievements.
Among his many accolades, he has received the prestigious Rashtriya Rajaji Award and the ‘Navchenat’ Navlik-Chandrak for novel writing. In 2006, he was honored with the D. K. Gandhi Suvarna Chandrak by the Gujarati Sahitya Sabha. He also received the Rashtriya Sahitya Akademi’s Children’s Literature Award of ₹50,000 in 2010.
With over five decades of rich experience in meaningful journalism and the authorship of more than 440 books, Yashwant Mehta serves as the editor of the children’s magazine Bal Anand. He held the position of President of the Gujarati Writers’ Association from 2003 to 2013 and was a member of the editorial board of the association’s booklet series Lekhak Aane Lekhan. From 1977 to 2004, he taught journalism at Navgujarat, Sahajanand College, Gujarat University, and Gujarat Vidyapith.
He was also an elected member of the Moderating Committee of the Gujarati Sahitya Parishad for many years and has served as the Founder Convener of the Bal Sahitya Akademi since 1994.
Mehta’s leadership roles in various literary organizations underscore his stature and influence within the literary community. His enduring commitment to promoting children’s literature, especially through these roles, reflects his deep dedication to nurturing young readers and budding writers.
Yashwant Mehta’s contributions to Gujarati children’s literature are truly remarkable. His work encompasses stories, poems, and possibly even comics and plays—all of which have undoubtedly left a deep impression on young minds across Gujarat.
He believes that children are the backbone of any civilization, and there is a need to develop rich children’s literature to help them understand their heritage and Indian culture. According to him, writers play a crucial role in this endeavor and are, in fact, the pillars of civilization and culture. He emphasizes that there is a pressing need to create and promote quality children’s literature in every Indian language. He believes it is the fundamental duty of both established and emerging writers to write for children.
Saluting Yashwant Mehta for his remarkable service to children’s literature is not only appropriate but well-deserved. With over 500 books to his name, numerous national honors, and key leadership roles in literary organizations, his impact on Gujarati literature and young readers is both lasting and inspirational.
His legacy continues to inspire generations of writers, readers, and educators.
