The Wire Staff 
New Delhi: Adivasi activist and writer Jacinta Kerkatta has refused to accept an award jointly given by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and Room to Read India Trust, in solidarity with the victims of war waged by Israel against Palestine.
Her book, Jirhul, which is a collection of poems, was selected for ‘Room to Read Young Author Award’ in the Children’s Book Creators’ Awards. The awards have not yet reacted to this decision publicly. Its website notes that the ceremony of the 2nd edition of the Children’s Literature Awards is scheduled for October 7.
Kerkatta said books for children were important but adults have not been able to save children – “thousands of whom are being killed in Palestine.”
She also told The Wire, “I saw that Room to Read India Trust is also associated with [the company] Boeing for children’s education. How can the arms business and care for children continue simultaneously when the world of children is being destroyed by the same weapons?”
Aerospace giant Boeing has been associated with the Israel army for “75 years”, it claims. Reports last year noted the partnership between the Trust and Boeing over an education programme flagged off by then Union minister Smriti Irani.
Kerketta has written, declining the award and offering her reasons, to both USAID and the Room to Read India Trust who had selected her for the award.
The Wire has written to Room to Read for a reaction. On October 1, Room to Read responded with a statement that is added to the bottom of the article.
The poems in Jirhul are on flowers that are ‘related to the life of people in the forests of Adivasi areas’.
“They were written to awaken social political consciousness, especially at a time when children in the country are growing up reading only about roses and lotus,” she said.
The book was published this year by Jugnu Prakashan, the publishing imprint of Iktara Trust, Bhopal.
“Very little work is being done keeping children in mind while preserving diversity in the field of literature. In such a situation, it would have been nice to get an award for the poetry collection written for children,” Kerketta said.
But, she said, it was difficult for her to accept this award for children’s literature considering the current circumstances.
Kerketta has written seven more books including Ishwar aur Bazar, Jecinda ki Diary and Land of the Roots.
Last year, Kerketta had refused an award from the India Today group for her work, in protest against the lack of respect being given to Adivasis in Manipur.
Last week, author Jhumpa Lahiri declined an award from New York’s Noguchi Museum citing the fact that it fired three employees for wearing keffiyeh scarves, an emblem of Palestinian solidarity.
Room to Read’s statement:
Room to Read believes that education is the most effective tool for solving the world’s greatest challenges. Room to Read values Jacinta Kerketta’s contributions to literature and her shared passion for the power of books to create a more peaceful, empathetic and just world.
Room to Read believes we can benefit more children, more quickly in partnership with others. Our partnerships globally across the public and private sectors are in support of our mission to nurture foundational learning skills in children. Acts of discrimination or violence are in direct opposition to everything Room to Read stands for and the world we seek to shape for future generations. We envision a world free from illiteracy and gender inequality, where all children have room to read, learn, and grow – creating lasting change.
Note: This article was updated to add Room to Read’s reaction.