Ahmedabad University’s Aparajith Ramnath Wins Ramnath Goenka Journalism Award 2026

Aparajith Ramnath, Associate Professor at Ahmedabad University, has been honoured with the Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Awards 2026 in the Books (Non-Fiction) category for his work Engineering a Nation: The Life and Career of M. Visvesvaraya.

The award recognises Ramnath’s rigorous scholarship and his ability to present research-driven narratives that contribute to public understanding. His book examines the life and legacy of M. Visvesvaraya is an engineer, administrator, and statesman whose birth anniversary is observed as Engineers’ Day in India. It goes beyond a conventional biography to situate his contributions within the broader context of India’s nation-building process .

Built on over seven years of meticulous archival research , the book draws on letters, technical papers, newspapers, and institutional records from India and abroad. It traces how Visvesvaraya rose to prominence through engineering achievements while also shaping governance, policy, and institutional frameworks in a rapidly changing colonial and early modern India. The work presents a layered account of how technical expertise and administrative vision converged during a critical phase of India’s development.

The jury commended the book for its depth and its ability to expand public understanding of India’s technological and institutional history areas often underrepresented in mainstream discourse. By placing Visvesvaraya’s contributions within the political and economic shifts of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the book offers a nuanced perspective on the intersections of engineering and governance.

Instituted by the The Indian Express Group, the Ramnath Goenka Awards are among India’s most prestigious honours recognising excellence in journalism and public-interest writing. Ramnath’s recognition highlights the continuing relevance of research-led non-fiction in shaping how society understands its past and engages with contemporary challenges.

The timing of the award is significant as India sharpens its focus on infrastructure, innovation, and state capacity. Revisiting the legacy of Visvesvaraya offers valuable insights into the foundations of modern development thinking.

For Ahmedabad University, the recognition reflects its emphasis on interdisciplinary learning and scholarship that extends beyond academia. The institution continues to promote research that informs public discourse and addresses complex societal challenges, reinforcing its position as a leading centre for liberal and research-oriented education in India.