Dr. Vinod Chandrashekhar Dixit
Yashwant Mehta, affectionately known as Yashwant Dada, is a literary giant with over 500 books to his credit. A tireless advocate for children’s literature, he has penned novels, story collections, and articles, as well as edited and translated numerous works. Despite his advanced age, Yashwant Dada remains actively engaged in literary pursuits, inspiring generations with his simplicity, selflessness, and vast knowledge.
Like literary giants Narmad, Govardhanram Tripathi, Jaybhikh, and Gunvant Shah, Yashwant Dada chose early retirement at the age of 50 to pursue writing full-time. He has authored travel books such as Chalo Duniyani Safare and Akhi Duniyano Prvaas Karo, despite being a homebody. His travels have been limited to South India, Mumbai, and Delhi, with no international trips.
Mehta believes that children are the embodiment of God and has been writing for them since he was 13. He connects children’s literature to Indian values such as brotherhood, truth, and non-violence, urging readers to avoid superstition and promote logical thinking. He appeals to publishers to produce more affordable children’s literature and encourages youngsters to work toward national unity by shedding caste divisions.
His science fiction collection, Chiranjivi Ane Biji Vignankathao, was published on October 28, 2025. He is known for his juvenile adventure stories and biographies. He has written over 500 books, including around 100 juvenile adventure stories. Yugyatra (1984) is his notable long science adventure story.
He has been honored with the Shri Dhanji Kanji Gandhi Suvarnachandrak (2006), the Bal Sahitya Puraskar, and the Sahitya Akademi Award (2010). Yashwant Dada’s writing style is a masterclass in simplicity, social relevance, and connecting with young readers. He established the Children’s Literature Academy in 1994 and edited the magazines Jagmag and Sahaj Balanand.
His humility and dedication have earned him the affectionate nickname “Yashwant Dada,” making him an inspiration to writers, educators, and literature lovers. It is rightly said that literature gives order to human experience as it explores cultural values. One such well-known Gujarati author, Yashwant Mehta, has contributed immensely to Gujarati children’s literature. He has worked in all forms of children’s literature. That effort has yielded rich results, and its fruits have reached crores of children in Gujarat.
No literary institution in Gujarat had taken children’s literature seriously, so Yashwant Mehta, along with his friends, established the Children’s Literature Academy on April 30, 1994. This academy has been doing remarkable, effective, and purposeful work. Any institution can run with government or societal funding, but doing continuous and valuable work for over 25 years in a neglected field like children’s literature is no small feat.
This renowned novelist and children’s writer was the first Gujarati author to receive the Children’s Literature Award from the Sahitya Akademi in Delhi. Being the first Gujarati author to receive this award is a remarkable honor, highlighting his pioneering work in Gujarati children’s literature and his national recognition.
He has also received the National Rajaji Award and the Navchetan Novel-Chandrak for novel writing. He was awarded the prestigious D.K. Gandhi Suvarna Chandrak of the Gujarat Sahitya Sabha in 2006. He also received the ₹50,000 Children’s Literature Award from the Sahitya Akademi in 2010, becoming the first Gujarati writer to receive this honor.
With six decades of meaningful journalism and the vast experience of writing about 500 books, Yashwant Mehta edited the children’s newspaper Jagmag for about a decade and a half. He later served as the editor of the monthly Bal Anand from August 1999 to 2018. He was the president of the Gujarati Writers’ Association from 2003 to 2014 and served on the editorial board of the association’s booklet series Lekhak and Lekhan.
Yashwant Mehta’s dedication to creating engaging stories for children has earned him a special place in Gujarati literature. His contributions continue to inspire young readers and authors alike.
