Why We Believe nominated for The Rise Literary Award

 I am absolutely thrilled and humbled to share some incredible news: Why We Believe has been nominated for The Rise Literary Award!

This book began as my personal journey to explore the complex dance between faith and reason, and to see it recognized by a respected institution is a dream come true. Thank you to everyone who has read the book, engaged with its ideas, and shared your own thoughts on this timeless debate. Your support has made this possible.

I am immensely grateful to the judges of The Rise Literary Award for this nomination and for believing in the mission of this book.                       

                                                                                                                     --- Abhishek Kumar

He is a physicist by training, yet his curiosity extends far beyond the boundaries of science into philosophy, evolution, psychology, and finance. An alumnus of IIT Kharagpur, he holds a Master’s degree in Physics and an MBA in Finance and Human Resources. For over 14 years, he has dedicated himself to teaching while delving into the deeper questions of science, reason, and metaphysical thought. His writing weaves together the analytical precision of a scientist with the contemplative insight of a seeker. In his debut philosophical fiction, Why We Believe: Dialogues on Doubt, Faith, and Reason, Abhishek explores timeless questions of existence, consciousness, free will, and the nature of belief through engaging and thought-provoking dialogues. His work reflects a lifelong quest to reconcile rationality with spirituality, and to understand the human condition beyond dogma and tradition. He lives in India with his family and dreams of sparking a global conversation on truth, 

 Nominated for multiple literary awards
What happens when five curious minds come together to question everything?
Meet Ayan, Maya, Sam, Rohan, and Neel—five friends, each with a different lens to view the world. One is a rational thinker, another a spiritual seeker. One’s always joking, one’s quietly watching, and one is trying to find meaning in everything.
Together, they dive into the kinds of questions most of us secretly ask but rarely say out loud:

• Why is life different for each of us?
• Does science explain everything?
• Why do we believe in God—or don’t?
• Are we really free, or just programmed?
• What if our reality is just part of a deeper, invisible game?

Told in the form of casual late-night hostel conversations—filled with laughter, debate, wonder, and some fantastic theories—this book is not about giving you a conclusive answer. It’s about making you pause, think and find your own answer. You’ll find yourself relating to these characters, their questions, and maybe even their confusion.
Readers have called Why We Believe “relatable,” “fascinating,” and “unlike anything I’ve read before.” Many say it made them reflect on things they’ve thought about—but never found the words for.
It’s a short read—just 95 pages—but it stays with you much longer. Perfect for curious minds, college students, night thinkers, and anyone who enjoys meaningful conversations with friends.
If you’ve ever sat around with your gang and asked: “What if...?” — this book is your memory come alive.