Born in India, a daughter-in-law of Surinaam and a resident of the Netherlands, Dr. Ritu Sharma Nannan Pandey is a prominent name in the fields of Hindi language, literature, journalism and cultural dialogue. She is internationally active as a writer, journalist, literary critic, editor, translator (Hindi–Dutch/Dutch–Hindi), moderator and social worker.
Through her association with Doordarshan Delhi’s literary programmes Sahityikee, the special series Beesvee(n) Shatabdee kee Kaajayee Kritiyaa(n), and Patrika, she contributed significantly to giving a new direction to literary journalism. She also worked as a newsreader with the External Broadcast Division of All India Radio, Delhi, and served as a lecturer in Journalism and Mass Communication at Khalsa College, University of Delhi.
For more than two decades, while residing in the Netherlands, she has been continuously working for the promotion and dissemination of the Hindi language, Hindi education in Surinaam and the Netherlands, diaspora literature, and women’s empowerment.
As co-coordinator and host of the monthly programmes Hindi me(n) Abhivyakti and Saahitya me(n) Abhivyakti, organised jointly with the World Hindi Secretariat, Mauritius, she has been actively connecting writers and literary figures from across the world. Through her weekly Facebook programme, Lekhak kee Kahaanee-Lekhak kee Jubaanee, she continues to provide a platform for literary voices from around the globe.
Dr. Ritu Sharma’s literary world is diverse and multifaceted. Her play Pustak kee Atmahatyaa received the First Prize for Europe in the International Hindi Playwriting Competition 2025 organised jointly by the World Hindi Secretariat, Mauritius.
She has published numerous books on children’s literature, folklore, poetry, diaspora studies and cultural dialogue. Her notable works include "Udbhraant Kee Saahitya Saadhanaa Ek Vimarsh",
“Netherlands Kee Lok Kathaae(N)”,
“Netherlands Kee Charchit Kahaaniyaa(N)”,
“Tyoolipon Ke Desh Netherlands Kee Jaaduee Kahaaniyaa(N)”,
“Sandookachee Bhaavon Kee”,
Baal Upanyaas “Jaanavaron Kaa Jaanee Dushman “
Tathaa Hindee-Dutch Dvibhaasheey Pustake(n)
Svatantrataa Divas ( Baal Pustak)
Panchatantr Kee Shreshth Kahaaniyaa(N)
(Hindi–Dutch).
Her articles, research papers and literary works have been regularly published in newspapers and prestigious journals and magazines in India, Surinaam, Mauritius, Canada, Japan, the United Kingdom and other countries. Her research on the development of Hindi in Surinaam and the Netherlands, as well as on Shri Ram to Surinaam (Girmitiya Culture), is regarded as a significant contribution to diaspora Hindi literature.
For her contributions to literature and social service, she has received numerous national and international honours. These include Vishva Hindee Sachivaalaya Mauritius- Pravaasee Saahityakaar Sammaan,
Bhaarat Sarakaar - Hindee Bhaashaa Sammaan,Pratham Europe Hindee Sammelan Romaaniyaa --Vishesh Sammaan
Bhaarateey Sahayog Parishad Bhaarat Sarakaar - Pravaasee Sammaan
Naagaree Prachaarinee Sabhaa - Vishesh Hindee Sevee Puraskaar
Amrtaa Preetam Kaavya Sammaan,
Saahity Ratna Sammaan,
Premachand Saahitya Sammaan
and a Special Award for Social Service in the Netherlands.
