The Rise Insight proudly extends its heartfelt congratulations to Shanal Jain on the nomination of his remarkable book, From Crayons to Cane, for the TRI Literary Awards 2026 – Season 04. This nomination celebrates not only a literary work of depth and sensitivity, but also a voice that captures the shared human journey with rare honesty and grace.
The TRI Literary Awards recognize books that leave a lasting intellectual and emotional impact — works that do not merely tell stories, but invite readers into reflection, awareness, and connection. From Crayons to Cane stands as a powerful example of this vision, offering a philosophical yet deeply personal exploration of life’s many seasons.
Why From Crayons to Cane Was Chosen for TRI Literary Awards
Life, as portrayed in From Crayons to Cane, is not presented as a linear path but as a series of overlapping circles — moments that echo, return, and quietly reshape us. This central philosophy resonated strongly with the TRI jury, as the book reflects the very essence of human existence: growth without erasure, change without loss, and continuity through transformation.
Told through the voice of an unnamed narrator — an “I” that could belong to anyone — the book transcends individual identity and becomes collective in spirit. Across eight thoughtfully crafted chapters, the narrative moves through childhood, youth, love, ambition, parenthood, aging, and acceptance. Each phase is portrayed not as a destination, but as a conversation between time and the heart.
What distinguishes From Crayons to Cane is its refusal to rush toward conclusions. Instead, it pauses — to listen to rain against a window, to remember a laugh that once filled a room, to find meaning in silence after chaos. These quiet moments, often overlooked, are where the book finds its greatest strength. TRI recognized this deliberate stillness as a rare literary quality in a world driven by speed and spectacle.
The jury was particularly drawn to the book’s simplicity. There are no dramatic twists or exaggerated conflicts — only life as it is lived. Rooftops, train journeys, coffee cups, monsoon roads, lullabies, and farewells form the emotional landscape of the book. These ordinary details hold extraordinary truths, reminding readers that meaning is often hidden in the everyday.
At its core, From Crayons to Cane is not about one person’s story, but about everyone’s story. It reflects universal experiences — first dreams, first love, first loss, and the quiet courage it takes to keep moving forward while carrying pieces of every past self. This universal relevance aligns deeply with TRI’s mission to honor literature that bridges individual experience with collective understanding.
A Voice Rooted in Reflection and Humanity
Shanal Jain’s background brings a unique balance of structure and sensitivity to his writing. Professionally, he works as a Project Manager in a Cyber Security firm, a role defined by precision, strategy, and accountability. He is also a Mathematics Tutor, passionate about simplifying complexity and nurturing clarity of thought. Yet, alongside these structured disciplines lives an observer — someone who listens closely to life and translates its quiet truths into words.
His storytelling is shaped by reflection rather than performance. Writing, for Shanal, is not about offering answers, but about holding up mirrors. His prose blends realism with tenderness, allowing readers to see themselves within the narrative — their memories, doubts, hopes, and transformations.
Mumbai, his home and muse, subtly weaves itself into his work, reflecting the city’s rhythm, contradictions, and emotional density. The book itself was born from years of introspection — a gradual realization of how innocence turns into wisdom, and how every stage of life leaves its imprint on the same soul.
A Nomination That Honors the Story of Us
The TRI Literary Awards nomination of From Crayons to Cane acknowledges a work that reminds us we have been many people in one lifetime — and that every version matters. It affirms the belief that growing up is not about abandoning who we were, but learning to hold those earlier selves with care and understanding.
In its final reflection, the book offers a profound truth:
This is not my story or yours. This is the story of us.
The Rise Insight congratulates Shanal Jain on this well-deserved recognition and celebrates From Crayons to Cane as a work that embodies the spirit of philosophical literature — thoughtful, compassionate, and enduring. We look forward to the continued journey of this book and the meaningful conversations it will inspire among readers across generations.
Congratulations once again to Shanal Jain on his nomination for the TRI Literary Awards 2026 – Season 04.
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