A compelling and timely account of one of the most ambitious environmental movements of our time, led by Sadhguru
Edited by Radhe Jaggi

21^st March 2026 | Saturday: On 22 March 2022, Sadhguru set out on an extraordinary 100-day, 30,000-kilometre solo motorcycle journey across continents, igniting a global conversation on the urgent need to restore soil health. What began as a singular mission soon evolved into a worldwide movement, mobilizing millions and reaching over four billion people across nations, cultures and communities.

Save Soil by Radhe Jaggi offers an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at this unprecedented campaign. Through the eyes of the Isha Foundation’s volunteers and core team, the book chronicles the challenges, breakthroughs and defining moments of a journey that brought global attention to a crisis often overlooked—the rapid degradation of the planet’s soil.

Reflecting on the significance of the movement, Sadhguru notes, ‘We all come from the same soil, live off the same soil, and when we die, we are buried in the same soil. The question is only, will we get this point now, or when we are buried’

From high-level meetings with policymakers and world leaders to on-ground mobilization and mass public engagement, the narrative captures the scale and intensity of a movement that sought to influence agricultural policies and inspire collective responsibility.

‘One aspect of farming that we completely neglect in our quest for development is how it is affecting the quality of our soil and thereby, the quality of the food we grow and consume. Save Soil book is a testimony to the movement, to the incredible journey that Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev took across twenty-seven countries to raise awareness about our soil. We are thrilled to be sharing a record of this journey made by Radhe Jaggi, Sadhguru’s daughter, that is a reflection of their commitment to a Conscious Planet’, says Vaishali Mathur, Publisher – Indian Language Publishing at PRHI.

With hope and a spirit of collective action, this book serves as both a record of an extraordinary global effort and an invitation for individuals, communities and governments to participate in shaping a more sustainable future.

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The official release for the book is in April 2026

For further queries, please contact Naina Tripathi, Assistant Manager – Marketing & Publicity, PRHI at ntripathi1@penguinrandomhouse.in; +91 8586936121

A rare leadership story from the former Hindustan Unilever Chairman & MD who doubled down on performance and principle — from voluntarily returning “unearned” GST gains to creating measurable, on-ground impact across water, sanitation, livelihoods and inclusion.

In an era when “purpose” is too often a slogan and “governance” a compliance checkbox, Sanjiv Mehta is one of the few corporate leaders with a defining moment that cuts through cynicism: when GST rates changed, Hindustan Unilever decided to return “unearned” benefit to the Government of India even though the law did not explicitly require it, first offering ₹59.94 crore, and later ₹118.9 crore once workings were revised. The then Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Mehta recalls, said: “I can’t think of many companies other than HUL…” who would do that.

That decision is one of the headline stories in Mehta’s new book, A CEO’s Brew: Stirred with Passion, Purpose and Humbition, My Unilever Journey to Creating over $60 Billion Value, launching now as a candid, high-stakes account of what it takes to build a “high-performing” enterprise in India without compromising on trust.

Why this launch matters now

India is entering a decisive decade for consumption, competitiveness, climate resilience and jobs. Mehta is not commenting from the sidelines he helped shape the modern India growth narrative from the inside: as the “outsider” CEO brought in to lead HUL in 2013 (after 21 years overseas), as Executive Vice President and Head of Unilever South Asia, later becoming President of Unilever South Asia and a member of Unilever’s global executive board (ULE)—the first incumbent HUL CEO to sit on that body.

The performance record that makes this interview worth commissioning

Under Mehta’s leadership arc, HUL’s decade is framed in hard numbers and global comparisons:

• Market cap rose from ~₹1,00,793 crore (2012–13) to ~₹6,01,202 crore (2022–23); and on the day he demitted office (26 June 2023), HUL stood at ~₹6,23,135 crore—making it the fifth most valuable company in India and, in Mehta’s telling, more valuable than multiple global FMCG majors.

• Margins expanded sharply across the decade (including 840 bps improvement over ten years even with post-COVID inflation pressures).

• The transformation narrative is inseparable from big-bet operational shifts data-led decision making, manufacturing network transformation and “future-ready” supply chains built under the “Reimagine HUL” umbrella.

And it’s not an India-only story. Before returning home, Mehta had already built a reputation as a “battle-hardened” CEO across volatile markets Bangladesh, the Philippines and the North Africa & Middle East region including steering through the Arab Spring.

What he’s done for India beyond the balance sheet

Mehta’s sharpest differentiator is that he treats national interest as strategy, not philanthropy captured in the principle he repeats: “what is good for India is good for HUL.”

During his tenure, HUL-backed interventions described in the book include:

• Water security at scale: via the Hindustan Unilever Foundation’s watershed work water potential of ~2.6 trillion litres created across ~14,000 villages (as described in the manuscript).

• Women’s livelihoods: expansion of Project Shakti, with Mehta describing a decade that added ~1,40,000 women entrepreneurs (taking the network to ~1,90,000 “Shakti Ammas”) and building a business of significant scale.

• Urban sanitation with measurable outcomes: the “Suvidha” community hygiene centres in urban slums 20+ centres, ~80,000 registered users, ~5,00,000 people getting access, 100+ million litres of water saved, and a reported 44% reduction in diarrhoea incidence in the local community after access.

• Climate & plastic action: 97% reduction in manufacturing carbon emissions vs a 2008 baseline, plus collecting more plastic waste across India than used in product packaging (as described).

• Building inclusive workplaces (with outcomes, not rhetoric): women in management rising from 18% (2013) to 40%+ by March 2023, alongside specific programmes such as the “losing no mother” initiative and frontline sales inclusion efforts.

Leadership under pressure: COVID as a case study editors will want

Mehta’s COVID chapter is not corporate nostalgia it is an operational, people-first crisis playbook. HUL’s workplace management is described as becoming a benchmark for industry best practices, adopted across Unilever geographies.

A leadership principle repeated in the book: “If we look after our people, they will look after our business.”

And in March 2020, HUL moved early on remote working—“as a market leader… set the tone ahead of the market.”

The national lens: from CEO to policy-shaper

Mehta’s India impact extends into thought leadership and institution-building. He writes about serving as President of FICCI (2022) and driving India@100, a roadmap for India’s centenary ambitions toward 2047 an initiative he says drew inputs from 200+ CXOs, and for which Prime Minister Narendra Modi agreed to write the foreword. He also describes launching the Centre for Sustainability Leadership at FICCI (in partnership with HUL) to help member companies and SMEs start their sustainability journeys.

Editor’s note: Why you should speak to Sanjiv Mehta now

This is not a “CEO memoir” pitch. It’s an India leadership assignment with multiple commissioning angles:

1. Ethics as strategy: the GST “unearned income” story and the moral calculus behind it.

2. How to win in India without averaging India: leading a mega-business in “many Indias” (and what most global CEOs still miss).

3. Purpose with measurement: sanitation, water security, livelihoods, climate—impact with numbers.

4. Crisis leadership: Arab Spring, GST disruption, COVID—how to lead without panic and without spin.

5. “Humbition” as a leadership doctrine: Mehta frames his philosophy as ambition grounded in humility—“at the intersection… I call this Humbition.”

Mehta notes he has been invited by global boards to speak on the “India Story” and what made HUL succeed in India—making him a rare executive who can connect boardroom performance, consumer behaviour, policy realities and nation-building in one conversation.

About Sanjiv Mehta Sanjiv

Mehta served as CEO and later Chairman & Managing Director of Hindustan Unilever and held regional responsibility as Executive Vice President and Head of Unilever South Asia; he later became President of Unilever South Asia and joined Unilever’s global leadership executive (ULE) while still leading HUL. He also served as President of FICCI (2022) and drove the India@100 initiative. Across his tenure, he received multiple leadership recognitions and notes being inducted into the ICAI Hall of Fame, among other honours.

Namratha Mohan, creator of one of India’s most influential spiritual content communities, joins the Penguin Ananda list.

New Delhi, 5 January 2026: Penguin Random House India announces the acquisition of two new books by Namratha Mohan, the voice behind The Temple Girl—one of India’s most influential and fast-growing digital communities centred on spirituality, temples and cultural memory. With a deeply engaged audience and a distinctive narrative authority, Mohan brings a rare blend of cultural insight, rigorous research and emotional resonance to the mythology and culture space.

To be published under the Penguin Ananda imprint in early 2027, the first of the two books, Vishnu, reimagines one of Hinduism’s most revered deities for a generation seeking grounding and meaning in an age defined by burnout and constant distraction. Blending immersive reportage, personal reflection and evocative storytelling, the book explores Vishnu as a symbol of consistency, balance and devotion—values that feel increasingly urgent in contemporary life. The second book will focus on Shiva, continuing this exploration of living mythology through a modern cultural lens.

Together, these books promise a compelling mix of narrative elegance, devotional depth and contemporary relevance. Positioned for strong backlist longevity, the series also offers significant potential for expansion across formats and platforms. Namratha Mohan, the author, shares, ‘The Temple Girl began as a way of listening to temples and the people who keep them alive. Over time, I realized these stories needed more space than a screen allows. Writing books on Vishnu and Shiva feels like a natural continuation of that listening. I am grateful to Penguin Random House India for giving these stories the time and care they deserve.’

Premanka Goswami, associate publisher, Vintage, and head of backlist at Penguin Random House India, says, ‘Namratha Mohan represents a new frontier of cultural storytelling— authentic, resonant and deeply connected to her audience. Her ability to translate the sacred into the accessible is unparalleled, and bringing Vishnu and Shiva into the Penguin ecosystem is a decisive step in our commitment to shaping the mythological discourse for young India. We see these books not just as titles but as high-engagement cultural assets with the potential to travel across platforms, formats and generations.’

Commenting on the acquisition of the book, Milee Ashwarya, publisher, adult division at Penguin Random House India, says, ‘Namratha Mohan’s books on Vishnu and Shiva are a natural extension of her rigorous research and long-standing engagement with India’s temple histories and sacred geographies. Written in an accessible manner, these works illuminate the stories, traditions and cultural continuities embodied in our spiritual traditions. I am delighted to welcome Namratha to Penguin Random House India.’

With her expansive digital reach and emotionally grounded storytelling, Namratha Mohan occupies a powerful space at the intersection of tradition and contemporary culture. This acquisition underscores Penguin Random House India’s continued investment in high-impact voices that shape how modern India engages with mythology, spirituality and cultural inheritance.

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DIMAPUR, 20 December 2025; Penguin Random House India and The White Owl are delighted to announce the third edition of Penguin Presents The White Owl Literature Festival & Book Fair, taking place from 5–7 February 2026 at Zone Niathu by The Park in Chümoukedima, Nagaland. Building on its remarkable rise as one of the Northeast’s most dynamic and distinctive cultural gatherings, the festival continues to champion powerful voices, hyperlocal storytelling, contemporary conversations and the unique creative pulse of the region.

This year’s edition carries forward the festival’s consolidated annual theme, “Celebrating Stories, Inspiring Minds.” The theme reflects the Northeast’s deep literary roots—from oral traditions to contemporary narratives—and celebrates the region’s role in shaping the country’s cultural imagination. This focus comes alive in the 2026 programme, which blends local, hyperlocal, national and global perspectives, and features sessions exploring reading habits among children, the art of storytelling across fiction and non-fiction, translation, cultural identity, mental health, podcasting, social media economies, fake news literacy, business and legacy building, AI, and much more.

This year’s programme brings together a powerful line-up of writers, cultural practitioners and contemporary creators. Featured speakers include Daribha Lyndem, award-winning author; Hansda Sowvendra Shekhar, Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar–winning writer; Pauline Fan, leading Southeast Asian author and translator; Snigdha Poonam, acclaimed journalist and author; Ayesha Chenoy, debut children’s writer; Merenla Imsong, one of India’s most recognisable Northeastern actors, writers and content creators; Alobo Naga, musician and host of the hugely popular Alobo Naga Show; Avantika Haflongbar, writer and culture commentator; and Srinath Sridharan, business strategist and author, to name a few. Together with many other speakers from across the region and the country, they anchor one of the most thoughtfully curated literary programmes in the Northeast, spanning conversations on storytelling, identity, media, business, culture and more.

Adding to the excitement, Penguin and The White Owl will also be jointly launching the third edition of The Perfect Pitch—one of India’s most anticipated writing mentorship platforms run by a publishing house—during the festival. This year’s edition, themed around fiction inspired by the Northeast, will open for submissions in the coming days, with full details revealed soon.

Viketuno Rio, Festival Director and proprietor of The White Owl, says, “Every year, we work to create a festival that is rooted in the Northeast and open to the world. This edition, with its mix of regional voices and national perspectives, represents the strongest reflection yet of who we are. If there is one place to experience the region’s cultural energy at its best, this festival is it.”

Deepthi Talwar, Programme Director of the 2026 edition and Executive Editor at Penguin Random House India, adds, “Curating this programme has been a privilege. We have brought together an extraordinary range of writers, thinkers and creators—from storytellers and translators to podcasters, academics, illustrators and entrepreneurs. It is the most thoughtfully designed festival we’ve created for the Northeast, and I genuinely believe anyone who attends will walk away inspired.”

The festival welcomes visitors from across Nagaland, the Northeast and the rest of India. With its strong emphasis on inclusivity, community-building and discovery, the festival invites aspiring writers, readers, students, young adults, families and cultural enthusiasts to join three days of discussions, workshops, readings, demonstrations and interactive sessions. Tickets are available online, with free entry for school and college students carrying valid ID.

Festival updates will be available on The White Owl’s website and social media handles, and on Penguin Random House India’s platforms.

Event Details

Date: February 5-7, 2025

Venue: Zone Niathu by The Park in Chümoukedima

Ticketing Information: Entry Fee INR 50. Free entry for school and college students with official student identification.

Website: https://thewhiteowl.in/

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PENGUIN CELEBRATES INDIA’S FINEST BOOKSELLERS WITH THE LAUNCH OF THE PENGUIN BOOKSELLER EXCELLENCE AWARD

Winners announced for the first edition

New Delhi, 18 December 2025: Penguin Random House India is proud to announce the launch of the Penguin Bookseller Excellence Award, a first-of-its-kind initiative in the country by a publishing house that is designed to honour the individuals who are shaping the bookselling journey. This annual award has been established to recognise the passion, creativity, and commitment of booksellers who bring stories to life for readers every day.

The Penguin Bookseller Excellence Award is a recognition of exceptional talent and service in the book retail landscape. With this initiative, Penguin aims to spotlight these often-unsung champions who continually raise the bar for what bookselling can be. Unlike conventional awards, The Penguin Bookseller Excellence Award has been designed as a recognition-led process where booksellers are reviewed by an esteemed jury comprising leaders from the industry and from Penguin. This year, the jury had Gaurav Sabharwal from Prakash Books, Shalina Advani (IBD), and Aditi Kumar and Manoj Satti from Penguin, who evaluated the candidates on innovation, customer engagement, and contribution to the reading culture, among other metrics.

The winners were recognised across three categories: Star Curator Award, Bookstore Star Award, and Special Recognition Award, each honouring a distinct dimension of excellence within the world of bookselling. From exceptional curation and hands-on reader guidance to community-building initiatives and unique in-store experiences, these categories aimed to capture the full spectrum of the impact booksellers make.

Reflecting on this significant recognition, Manoj Satti, SVP- Sales, Marketing & Product, Penguin Random House India, said, ‘Booksellers are the crucial bridge between any publishing house and the reader. They are far more than retail partners: they are cultural custodians and vital advocates of reading. With the Penguin Bookseller Excellence Award, we want to shine a spotlight on their contribution and recognise the often-invisible labour that shapes the journey of every book. Through this recognition, we hope to inspire both current and future booksellers to continue championing stories and expanding opportunities for books, authors, and readers alike.’

With this, we are proud to announce this year’s winners:

KALINGA LITERATURE FESTIVAL AND PENGUIN COLLABORATE TO LAUNCH THE BOOK REVIEW PROJECT. 

Bhubaneswar/New Delhi, 3 December 2025: The Kalinga Literary Festival (KLF), in collaboration with Penguin Random House India, is proud to announce the launch of the KLF Penguin Book Review Competition- The Book Review Project. This exciting national initiative aims to reigniting the love for books, encouraging vibrant literary discussions, and connecting readers from all corners of India. KLF X Penguin Book Review Project invites book enthusiasts to read, review, and share their insights on a specially curated list of 10 books, offering participants the chance to win exciting prizes and gain recognition at one of India’s most prestigious literary festivals. The competition is live from 3 December 2025 to 22 December 2025.

The reading list for the competition will feature a carefully selected mix of exciting books, chosen by Penguin’s editorial team. For participants who do not already own the books, easy-to-access Amazon links will be provided, ensuring that everyone can participate. After reading the books, participants will submit a review of up to 1,000 words along with a photo of the book, which they will share on their Instagram page. Reviews will be further amplified by KLF and Penguin through Instagram Stories, providing a platform for participants to showcase their literary insights to a wider audience.

The competition’s selection process will involve KLF assisting in creating a shortlist of 15 titles, from which a jury consisting of two Penguin editors and one KLF representative will select the final winner. The grand prizes include ₹10,000 for the winner and ₹5,000 for the runner-up, along with a hamper of Penguin published  books to be presented during the Kalinga Literature Festival at the Mayfair Hotel in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, in January 2026. KLF will take care of all travel, accommodation, and logistical arrangements for the winner and the runner-up, ensuring a seamless and enriching experience.

The KLF Penguin Book Review Competition is open to all readers from across India, with free registration. This is a unique opportunity for participants from all states to join a nationwide celebration of literature and creativity. Whether you are an aspiring writer, a seasoned book reviewer, or simply a lover of books, this competition offers a platform to engage with the literary world, hone your review skills, and be a part of a larger cultural conversation.

“In an age where distractions often overpower our connection to books, initiatives like the KLF Penguin Book Review Competition are a powerful reminder of the magic that lies within the pages of a great book. By encouraging readers to reflect, review, and share their thoughts, we not only rekindle a passion for reading but also inspire the next generation of literary voices. This competition is not just about winning; it is about reigniting the love for stories that shape our world, nurture our imaginations, and connect us all,” says Ashok Kumar Bal, CEO and Patron of KLF.

Pallavi Narayan, GM- Corporate Communications, Penguin Random House India, says, “Kalinga Literary Festival has consistently championed reading and nurtured a culture of literary curiosity, and we are delighted to partner with them on this initiative. At Penguin Random House India, we believe in amplifying diverse Indian voices and taking our books to readers everywhere, and this competition creates a wonderful opportunity to do exactly that. Literary festivals like KLF play an essential role in bringing authors, publishers, and readers into the same vibrant space, and we are proud to support a project that celebrates storytelling and strengthens the country’s reading community.”

Come be part of a bold public experiment that celebrates how deeply you read, how brilliantly they write, and how the world of reviewing brings the two together. We invite readers from every corner of India to travel to Odisha, experience the beauty of its culture, and join enthralling literary conversations at the Kalinga Literary Festival.

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Penguin Celebrates the Launch of Sudha Murty’s 50th Book, The Magic of the Lost Earrings, in Collaboration with KNMA

New Delhi, 21 November 2025: On the joyous occasion of Children’s Day, Penguin Random House India, in collaboration with the Kiran Nadar Museum of Art (KNMA), Saket, celebrated the launch of The Magic of the Lost Earrings, the 50th book by Sudha Murty, one of India’s favourite authors and the chairperson of the Murty Trust as well as a member of the Rajya Sabha. Commencing at 5:00 pm, on 14^th November, the event drew over 150 attendees, including young readers, teachers, parents, and long-time admirers of everyone’s beloved Ajji.

The event was graced by Shri Harivansh, Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, who was the Chief Guest for the evening. Both Mrs Murty and Shri Harivansh addressed the audience, reflecting on the significance of children’s literature and the power of storytelling, followed by an engaging Q&A session with the crowd. The evening concluded with an enthusiastic book signing, with people bringing everything from newly released editions to their treasured older books to be signed.

The Magic of the Lost Earrings follows Nooni on an unforgettable journey across India and beyond; from the sacred ghats of Ujjain to the vibrant streets of Amritsar, the storied lanes of Delhi and all the way to London. What begins as a quiet holiday with Ajja and Ajji quickly transforms into a mystery-filled adventure when a pair of antique earrings reaches her hands, leading her into tales of heritage, family, and the magic that lies hidden in everyday objects.

Sharing her journey with the book, Mrs Murty said during her address, ‘Today I was thinking about my writing journey that began 45–47 years ago. My first book came in 1979, and from that day to this day, I have fifty books. Out of these, twenty-five are children’s books. The Magic of the Lost Earrings is part of the Nooni series, and it travels through India, Pakistan, and the city of London to remind children that history is not a dead subject. To be proud Indians, they need roots, and to know their roots, they must know their history. Whatever God has given me, I have written and enjoyed. I hope you also enjoy a little something.’

Speaking in honour of Mrs Murty and her work, Shri Harivansh said, ‘Sudha ji’s language is so simple, modest and emotional that her stories reach the heart before they reach the mind. Once you begin reading her work, you feel compelled to journey with her till the very last page. There can be no greater gift for children than the one she has offered through this book. I congratulate Sudha Murty ji and Penguin for bringing young readers such a meaningful chapter of their life.’

The launch found a particularly fitting home at KNMA, which is currently showcasing three major exhibitions that resonated closely with the spirit of Mrs Murty’s work-—please touch gently (zines, comics, ephemera), Extraordinary Line, and jo ġāyab hai, aur hāzir bhi, featuring Saba Hasan’s book sculptures. Spanning independent publications, intergenerational drawing practices, and explorations of the book as an object, these exhibitions created a natural setting for a celebration of stories, creativity, and curiosity. Together, they made KNMA a fitting partner for the milestone launch of Mrs Murty’s 50th book.

Emphasizing on the role of storytelling as a catalyst for cultural dialogue, Apurva Kackar, Director – Institutional Affairs, Learning and Outreach, Kiran Nadar Museum of Art (KNMA) said, ‘Storytelling has the power to democratize art and culture by opening up conversations around complex ideas and deep human experiences. Sudha Murthy’s work embodies this beautifully— endearing warmth, timeless wisdom, and elegant simplicity make her books universally relatable and deeply moving. Her approach aligns perfectly with KNMA’s belief that art, in all its forms, should invite everyone into the conversation.’

Reflecting on this landmark moment, Sohini Mitra, Publisher, Children’s, Penguin Random House India, said, ‘Through these fifty books, Mrs Murty has built not just a remarkable body of works, but a bridge, between tradition and modernity, between wisdom and wonder, between the writer and every single reader who sees themselves in her words. As her publishers, we are deeply grateful for this long, enduring association and for her faith and trust. It has been an honour to walk alongside her on this journey. On behalf of Penguin, I want to thank Mrs Murty for her generosity and for entrusting us with her creative works.’

The book is now available nationwide. Readers are encouraged to pick up their copy and join Nooni on her latest adventure.

About the Author

Sudha Murty was born in 1950 in Shiggaon, in north Karnataka. She did her MTech in computer science. A philanthropist, a teacher and an author, she is the chairperson of the Murty Trust and a member of the Rajya Sabha.

A prolific writer in English and Kannada, she has written novels, technical books, travelogues, collections of short stories, non-fiction and several bestselling children’s titles. Her books have been translated into all major Indian languages.

Sudha Murty has been honoured with the R.K. Narayan Award for Literature, the Padma Shri (2006), the Attimabbe Award (2011), the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2018 Crossword Book Awards and the Padma Bhushan (2023). She has also received over twenty honorary doctorates.

Generations of young readers have grown up reading her stories, many of which are now included in school textbooks across India.

About KNMA

Established through the initiative of avid art collector Kiran Nadar, the Kiran Nadar Museum of Art (KNMA) opened to the public in January 2010 as India’s first private museum dedicated to modern and contemporary art from the subcontinent. KNMA is a non-commercial, not-for-profit institution supported by the Shiv Nadar Foundation. It seeks to foster a dynamic relationship between art and culture through its exhibitions, publications, educational initiatives, and public programs. Committed to institutional collaborations and artist support networks, KNMA actively engages with diverse audiences through its wide-ranging programming.

New Delhi, 27, October 2025 – Penguin Random House India is proud to announce the launch of Penguin Tattva, a dedicated new imprint under Penguin Select, focused on publishing books rooted in Indian spiritual and philosophical traditions. The imprint will bring together foundational ideas and eternal principles in accessible and engaging formats for a new generation of readers as well as lifelong seekers.

The word “Tattva” —meaning principle, truth, or reality—captures the essence of the imprint’s vision: to make ancient wisdom both relevant and resonant in the modern world. Launching with a carefully curated list of 12–15 titles annually, Penguin Tattva will feature a dual publishing track that caters to both discovery and depth:

• Simplified Editions for New-Generation Readers
  Short, insightful interpretations of classical texts and core concepts—from the Bhagavad Gita, Yoga Sutras, and Upanishads, to Bhakti poetry and dharmic philosophy—tailored for Gen Z, spiritual explorers, and global audiences seeking clarity and connection.
• Collector’s, Gifting & Reference Editions
  Editions of sacred texts and commentaries by eminent scholars—ideal for collectors, gifting and readers of Indian knowledge traditions.

Shivani Pandey, Editor in charge of Penguin Tattva, says, ‘In an age overwhelmed by noise and distraction, Penguin Tattva offers readers clarity and depth rooted in the enduring wisdom of Indian traditions. As we navigate a volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous world, the need for grounded insight has never been greater. This imprint is where ancient Indian philosophy meets the modern mind in relevant conversation—books that don’t just inform but inspire, guide, and transform.’

As an imprint under Penguin Select, Penguin Tattva builds on Penguin’s legacy of high-quality publishing, while carving out a clear and focused space in the Indian and global market for wisdom literature. The inaugural list will launch in late 2025 and will include works that blend clarity, authenticity, and visual excellence—books that are as transformative as they are timeless.

About Penguin Random House India

Penguin Random House India is the country’s leading trade publisher, publishing over 450 new titles every year and managing a diverse backlist of more than 3,500 books. Our publishing spans literary and commercial fiction, non-fiction, and children’s books — from politics, history, memoir, and business to health, self-help, cookery, and culture.

We are home to some of India’s and the world’s most celebrated voices — including winners of the Nobel Prize, Booker Prize, Jnanpith Award, and Sahitya Akademi Award. Several of our authors have also been honoured with the Bharat Ratna and Padma Vibhushan, reflecting the influence of their work in literature and public life.

Penguin Random House India also serves as the exclusive distribution partner for several major international and local publishers, bringing books to readers across India and the subcontinent.

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PENGUIN TITLE THE LONELINESS OF SONIA AND SUNNY BY KIRAN DESAI SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2025 BOOKER PRIZE

New Delhi, 24 September 2025: Penguin Random House India is thrilled to share that The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny, critically-acclaimed novel by the 2006 Booker Prize–winning author Kiran Desai, has been shortlisted for the 2025 Booker Prize for Fiction. The prestigious shortlist of six titles was announced on 23^rdSeptember by the Booker Prize Foundation.

Published in India under Penguin’s Hamish Hamilton imprint in September 2025, The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny is Desai’s first novel since her beloved bestseller The Inheritance of Loss, which earned her the Booker Prize in 2006 and the National Book Critics Circle Award.

This book follows Sonia and Sunny, two young Indians navigating life between the United States and India, as they confront personal, generational, and societal pressures. Through their intertwined journeys, the novel explores themes of love, family, identity, displacement, class, and the complex bonds that link one generation to the next. It is a sweeping work of ambition and emotional depth, reflecting Desai’s mastery of storytelling and insight into human experience.

This marks another milestone for Penguin at the Booker Prize, following previous wins such as The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy (1997), The Inheritance of Loss by Kiran Desai (2006), and The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida by Shehan Karunatilaka (2022).

Manasi Subramaniam, Editor-in-Chief and Vice-President of Hamish Hamilton, Allen Lane, Viking, Penguin, and Penguin Classics at PRH India, says, ‘On the day of its publication, The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny strides into the world and onto the 2025 Booker shortlist. Kiran Desai returns after nearly twenty years with a novel as large as the world, as intimate as a heartbeat: a long story, a love story, a book gestated over nineteen years, written and rewritten, bursting with characters who refuse to remain secondary. It is the kind of book that feels like many books at once, and its arrival is nothing less than a great literary homecoming. It’s been such a privilege to publish it.’

Milee Ashwarya, Publisher and Senior VP, Adult Publishing Group, PRH India, adds, ‘Being shortlisted for the Booker Prize is not just a recognition of a single novel—it is a celebration of the power of storytelling to traverse continents, generations, and hearts. Through this book Kiran Desai reminds us why literature matters and highlights the complexities of love, identity, and belonging in a way that only great fiction can. This recognition reaffirms our commitment to bringing exceptional literature to readers in India and across the world.’

The winner of the 2025 Booker Prize will be announced at the ceremony in London on 10 November 2025.

About the author:

Kiran Desai is the bestselling author of two novels, Hullabaloo in the Guava Orchard and The Inheritance of Loss, which won both the Booker Prize and the National Book Critics Circle Award. Born in India, she came to the US when she was sixteen and now lives in New York City.

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About Penguin Random House India

Penguin publishes over 450 new titles every year and has an active backlist of over 3500 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.

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BIG RED EDUCATION AND PENGUIN LAUNCH FIRST-EVER NATIONAL YOUNG AUTHORS CHALLENGE

Empowering India’s budding storytellers to get published by the world’s leading publishing House.

New Delhi, 18 Sept 2025; Big Red Education, in collaboration with Penguin, proudly announces the launch of the first-ever National Young Authors Challenge, a groundbreaking nationwide short story competition for students in Grades 8–12. The competition will commence on September 18, 205, with the submission deadline set for January 15, 2026.

For the first time in India, aspiring young writers will have the unprecedented opportunity to see their work published by one of the most iconic publishing houses. The top 50 selected stories will be compiled into an exclusive anthology published by Penguin, an extraordinary milestone for budding authors at the very start of their creative journeys. But the challenge doesn’t stop at publication. Every participant will gain access to a special writing bootcamp conducted by Penguin with acclaimed authors and talented editors, where they will learn the art of creative writing, storytelling techniques, and what it takes to bring an idea to life on the page. This ensures that each student not only competes but also learns, grows, and develops their voice as a writer.

Speaking on the launch, Pallavi Narayan, General Manager- Corporate Communications at Penguin Random House India, said, ‘At Penguin, we believe in the power of the written word to transform both individuals and communities. Every person carries stories within them, but it takes courage and craft to bring those stories to life. The National Young Authors Challenge is a powerful way for young people to uncover that ability and begin shaping their own narratives. We are proud to partner with Big Red Education, whose commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for students helps them build confidence, agency, and a deeper sense of self. For us, this is more than a competition — it is an invitation to discover the next generation of storytellers and to understand better the creative potential that exists across the country. We look forward to the voices and perspectives this journey will reveal.’

The National Young Authors Challenge is led by Big Red Education, an India-based education firm known for creating transformative opportunities for high school students. This competition marks one of its most ambitious steps yet in empowering students through real-world recognition.

With its unparalleled publishing partnership, first-of-its-kind anthology, and exclusive writing competition, the National Young Authors Challenge sets a new benchmark in youth competitions in India, empowering students to write their heart out, get discovered, and make their mark with Penguin.

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About Big Red Education

Founded in 2016, Big Red Education is an India-based education firm offering transformative learning experiences beyond the classroom. Its programs prepare high school students to innovate, lead, and make a meaningful impact on a global stage.

About Penguin Random House

Penguin Random House India is the country’s leading trade publisher, publishing over 450 new titles every year and managing a diverse backlist of more than 3,500 books. Our publishing spans literary and commercial fiction, non-fiction, and children’s books — from politics, history, memoir, and business to health, self-help, cookery, and culture.

We are home to some of India’s and the world’s most celebrated voices — including winners of the Nobel Prize, Booker Prize, Jnanpith Award, and Sahitya Akademi Award. Several of our authors have also been honoured with the Bharat Ratna and Padma Vibhushan, reflecting the influence of their work in literature and public life.

Penguin Random House India also serves as the exclusive distribution partner for several major international and local publishers, bringing books to readers across India and the subcontinent.

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