Achievements
‘No one is perfect and it’s okay to keep learning,’ says young author from Apeejay School, Saket
The class VIII student shares her experience of national recognition for her book Mahabharata Retold
Being recognised on a national stage is a defining moment for any young author. For Madhavi Shandilya, a Class VIII student of Apeejay School, Saket and author of Mahabharata Retold, the experience of being felicitated at Bharat Mandapam during the New Delhi World Book Fair 2026 was both empowering and deeply validating. Honoured at the Children’s Pavilion as part of the National Book Trust’s Child Author’s Meet, Madhavi was among four students from the school whose published works were celebrated – marking a proud moment for her, her family, and the school community.
What did being felicitated at Bharat Mandapam mean to you personally?
It was a really proud moment for me. Standing on a national platform like the World Book Fair made me realise that my work had reached beyond just my classroom or my home. It gave me confidence and helped me overcome my fear of speaking and sharing my ideas in public.
How is your version of the Mahabharata different from traditional retellings?
I wanted to humanise the characters instead of exaggerating their powers. For example, Bheem is often said to have the strength of 10,000 elephants, but I felt that presenting him as a strong human rather than a god-like figure makes the story more relatable. I also wrote the story based on what I personally understood from it.
You spoke on stage at the Children’s Pavilion. What was going through your mind then?
I was thinking about how characters are often shown as simply ‘good’ or ‘bad’ in TV series. But when you read the original Mahabharata by Veda Vyasa, you see many shades of grey. Even characters like the Kauravas or Karna are more complex than they are usually portrayed.
How did Apeejay School, Saket support your journey as a young author?
My teachers gave me the space to express myself. They read my manuscript and shared suggestions before the book was published, which really helped improve it.
What did this national recognition teach you as a writer?
It taught me that no one is perfect and that it’s okay to keep learning. This recognition has also helped me academically, people now see me as a writer, which motivates me to do better.
What’s next for you?
I’m currently working on another book that explores the geopolitics and geographical locations involved in the Mahabharata. It’s a deeper look at the politics behind the epic.
