Kennesaw, Georgia, USA: New Delhi-based writer Sreelekha Chatterjee has won the prestigious Mukoli Contest hosted by Kennesaw State University. She received recognition in the nonfiction category for her short story titled 'A Mind Invalid by Riots.'

The Mukoli Contest is organized by Mukoli magazine, a publication of the School of Conflict Management, Peacebuilding and Development at the university. The magazine serves as a multimedia platform that promotes creative expression aimed at conflict transformation, peacebuilding, and global well-being.

Chatterjee’s award-winning piece narrates the story of a child living in a city engulfed by communal violence. Amid widespread unrest and destruction, the narrative focuses on a young boy who suffers a psychological breakdown triggered by past trauma - having previously lost his parents in a similar riot. In the midst of chaos, the child is seen wandering unclothed in search of 'missing stars,' symbolizing innocence lost amid fanaticism and division.

As members of the neighborhood unite to provide him with care, food, and compassion, the story underscores the transformative power of empathy and collective humanity. Through the child’s perspective, the narrator conveys how love and kindness can restore hope, even in times marked by senseless violence.

Nonfiction judge Laura Davis described the story as a 'very important' work, emphasizing that its most compelling element is the narrator’s ability to present events through the eyes of a child. She noted that the piece reminded her of Cracking India by Bapsi Sidhwa, highlighting the layered and evocative nature of the title.

The word 'Mukoli,' derived from Assamese, signifies openness or an open space - reflecting the magazine’s commitment to fostering dialogue and healing through literature and art.

Chatterjee, a resident of New Delhi, is an accomplished short-story writer, poet, and editor. Her nonfiction works have appeared in publications such as SugarSugarSalt Magazine, Usawa Literary Review, Five Minutes, Prosetrics, The Chakkar, and Different Truths. Her writing has also been featured in anthologies including Wisdom of Our Mothers (Familia Books, U.S.). With more than 200 publications across 20 countries, her work has been translated into multiple languages.