Sanjana Thakur Wins 2024 Commonwealth Short Story Prize with 'Aishwarya Rai'
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Winner | Sanjana Thakur |
| Age | 26 years old |
| Profession | Writer |
| From | Mumbai, India |
| Competition | Commonwealth Short Story Prize 2024 |
| Total Entrants | 7,359 worldwide |
| Prize Money | GBP 5,000 (Overall Winner) |
| Date of Announcement | June 27, 2024 |
| Story Title | Aishwarya Rai |
| Inspiration | Named after Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai |
| Plot Summary | A young woman, Avni, chooses between potential mothers in a local shelter |
| Themes | Family fracturing, modern urban existence |
| Writing Style | Brutal irony, sarcasm, cynicism, wry humor, tight prose |
| Judging Panel Chair | Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi (Ugandan British novelist) |
| Prize Details | Annual award for unpublished short fiction |
| Regions Covered | Africa, Asia, Canada and Europe, Caribbean, Pacific |
| Regional Winners | 5 winners (one from each region) |
| Regional Prize Money | £2,500 per regional winner |
| Translator Prize | Additional prize money for translated winning stories |
| Judging Process | International panel with assistance from experienced readers |