Punjabi short-story writer Jinder’s ‘Safety Kit’ wins Sahitya Akademi Award 2025
The stories tackle the struggles of Punjabis abroad, with the title focusing on Jaspreet, a young woman navigating fear and safety in a foreign country
The Ministry of Culture announced the Sahitya Akademi Award 2025 on Monday, recognising eight poetry collections, four novels, six short stories, two essays, an autobiography, and two memoirs. A Punjabi short-story collection titled “Safety Kit”, written by Jalandhar-based writer Jinder, won the prestigious award.
The stories tackle the struggles of Punjabis abroad, with the title focusing on Jaspreet, a young woman navigating fear and safety in a foreign country. Other stories explore issues like sex work, migration, and the psychological impact of immigration. The book, published by Navyug Publishers, has been recognised for its poignant look at contemporary social issues in Punjabi literature.
The book had also won the Dhahan Prize in 2024.
“All stories in ‘Safety Kit’ are thematically varied, covering social, economic, cultural, and psychological subject matter. Through this work, I have tried to understand the complexity of issues arising from the unprecedented migration of Punjabis in recent years,” the author told a local daily.
“Many female characters in the book challenge traditional barriers and aim to overcome age-old fears. They are inspiring as they find inner strength to live courageously,” he added. The Sahitya Akademi Award includes an engraved copper plaque, a shawl, and a sum of Rs 1 lakh. The awardees will receive the award at a ceremony in the national capital on March 31.
