Don’t worry when you are not recognised, but strive to be worthy of recognition - Abraham Lincoln.
The world-renowned Forbes Magazine annually declares a list of people under 30 years who are worthy of receiving recognition on the aspect of their exceptional contribution done in their selected field of work.
A concerned observer may notice that since the year 2016, the ‘Forbes 30 under 30 Asia’ list has steadily been growing. Albeit the world might have substantially changed, no change is reported with the list’s mission.
Distinguishing the potential of young blood which is able to make a difference in their selected fields as well as that of the region is the wish of the Forbes 30 under 30. Except the Middle Eastern countries, the entire Asia-Pacific region including Australia, New Zealand and the rest of Oceania are covered by the Forbes 30 under 30 Asia list.
Outstanding Sri Lankan writer
In that light, Yudhanjaya Wijeratne, a science fiction author, researcher and an activist is an exceptional and outstanding Sri Lankan young man of just 28 years whose name was included in the prestigious Forbes 30 under 30 Asia 2021 list from over 2500 nominations. An ingrained knack for writing intrinsically remains with Yudhanjaya as his romance for writing ever blossoms never withers.
While being highly acclaimed as a celebrated writer with the Forbes 30 Under 30 2021 list, ‘Messenger’, co-authored by Yudhanjaya has also been nominated for the Nebula award which gives its recognition on the finest work of science fiction or fantasy, published in the United States of America. ‘Numbercaste’ is Yudhanjaya’s debut novel which is quite unique in its content while presenting an exceptional blend of emerging technology and social political critique.
Yudhanjaya becomes an exception among his contemporaries being a globally recognised young writer with his novel ‘The Salvage Crew’ getting recognised as the best science fiction and fantasy book of the year 2020.
His books are available from Harper Collins which is one of the leading book publishers in the world. Yudhanjaya, despite heavily being occupied with a plethora of scientific, technical, social and political writing assignments, still manages to find time for his profession as a Data Scientist working in public policy at Sri Lankan think tank LIRNEasia.
Yudhanjaya’s forte in futurology is utterly remarkable and thus has made the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to have retained his exceptional ability of exploring the possibilities of the future in their future endeavours.
Facing the pandemic
Meanwhile, Yudhanjaya commented that his writing was not heavily affected even during the first lock down in the island.
He further said that as long as there is a computer on his table, his interest in writing never dries. But on the other hand, as he noted during the pandemic situation, a vast of logistical issues arise, with regard to the delivery of books, shipments in particular.
Another negative consequence of Covid-19 which he brought out is the fact that warehouses was also forced to lock down. Being an ardent and brilliant researcher, Yudhanjaya expressed that during the lockdown his research work slightly got disturbed, particularly due to the fact that the field surveys and physical meetings were restricted during the pandemic situation.
Yudhanjaya is undoubtedly a source of inspiration for the young folk. Yudhanjaya being a young award winning and celebrated author and researcher, with his great charm has the power to inspire the enthusiasm and devotion of young people in their selected field of work.
He said that understanding yourself is the most initial requirement that you need to fulfill, prior you expand the horizon. Once you understand yourself, you are naturally there to expand your horizon.