Dilip D'Souza, the Indian writer and journalist who was a Wolfson Press Fellow in 2001, has been awarded the Newsweek & The Daily Beast-Open Hands Prize for Commentary in South Asia. The prize is for South Asian journalists and writers covering the region "to celebrate and nurture raw talent and find fresh voices". Its aim is "to promote and support the work of an individual who has contributed thoughtful, important, and engaging commentary on the great social, political, and cultural issues of their region".
Dilip is a former electrical engineer and computer scientist who has three books to his credit. His journalism has appeared in many publications — including The Times of India, Tehelka, The Glasgow Herald, The Washington Post, Salon.com, and Mint.com, where his fortnightly mathematics column, “A Matter of Numbers" appears. He is also the author of three books, the most recent of which is 'Roadrunner: An Indian Quest in America', a beautifully-written, quirky travel book which views America through Indian eyes.
Professor John Naughton, the Director of the College's Press Fellowship Programme, says: "It's great to see Dilip's talent being properly recognised. He's an immensely talented, wide-ranging, civilised writer who has always bridged C.P. Snow's 'Two Cultures'.
We're very proud to have him as an alumnus of the Press Fellowship."
Links:
The Daily Beast announcement:
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/06/20/newsweek-the-daily-beast-open-hands-prize-winner.html
Dilip's "A Matter of Numbers" column:
http://www.livemint.com/articles/keywords.aspx?kw=A%20Matter%20of%20Numbers
His blog "Death Ends Fun":
http://dcubed.dilipdsouza.com/
His most recent book:
Roadrunner: An Indian Quest in America, Harper-Collins India, 2009
http://tinyurl.com/cmj3kb7