Presented by the Indiana University India Studies Program

1st Place - $1,500.00
2nd Place - $1,000.00
3rd Place - $500.00

Deadline for entries: July 31, 2006

The Kishor M. Kulkarni Arts and Humanities Prize on Modern India competition is open to permanent residents and citizens of the United States who are high school juniors or seniors, undergraduate or graduate students at a U.S. college or university, or between the ages of 16 and 25, with ancestry in what is now the Republic of India, whose principal residence is in the United  States.

Entries may be submitted in one of two categories: (1) Analytic - an essay analysis of political, economic, cultural or social issues as they impact modern India or (2) Creative Writing - a short story, poetry, novella or drama related to modern India. A distinguished panel of jurors will evaluate submissions in each category, and first, second, and third places will be awarded to the best qualified entries from both categories. High School students will be eligible to win only the third place award.

Entries must be original work primarily produced within twelve (12) months prior to the application deadline.

The winner of the competition will be announced in September, 2006. Presentation of the awards will be made in the fall of 2006. The decision of the judges is final and the India Studies Program will decide all questions of eligibility.

Click here for entry form.

The Kulkarni Prize was established to foster close and friendly relations between the United States and the Republic of India, to encourage young people of Indian descent or ancestry to take greater interest in India and issues relating to India, and to reward and recognize the achievements of young people of Indian descent or ancestry.

India and the United States share many important features: both have democratic governments, both have diverse populations and geographical terrain, and both offer religious freedom and have no state religion. In addition, India has dozens of major languages and a rich civilization, thousands of years old. India is the birthplace of the Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh and Jain religions, and its Muslim population is one of the largest in the world. It is the land of Mahatma Gandhi, of meditation and yoga, and of the young entrepreneurs who are leading India's surging economy.
 
Kishor Kulkarni comes from a close-knit, upper middle class family, and grew up in Mumbai (Bombay). His father, Madhusudan (Appasaheb), passed away when Kishor was 14, but has been his lifelong inspiration. Kishor credits his mother, Indumati, for his interest in volunteer activities and concern for others. She passed away in early 2000. Kishor is close to his brother Mohan and sister Sudha. Kishor came to the United States in 1965, and founded Advanced Metalworking in 1984. He and his wife, Josie, married in 1970. The Kulkarnis have two children: Veena, an IU Wells Scholar and now Ph.D. student at U. of Michigan; and Jeff, BA at Yale and currently a doctoral student at Oxford.

Kishor and Josie have supported the India Studies Program from its inception. The Kishor M. Kulkarni Arts and Humanities Prize on Modern India will benefit young US residents and citizens with Indian ancestry. It is important that they know India through study and a genuine love for the country. The program has several important objectives: to encourage these young people to take more interest in India and pride in their roots; to not only benefit personally from their rich heritage, but also to promote closer relations between the United States and India; to recognize important achievements in arts and humanities relating to India; and to further enhance the reputation of the India Studies program.