Bhubaneswar: The third Sukubina Srastha Memorial Award was conferred on well-known short story writer and novelist of Odisha Rabi Swain on Sunday.
Eminent Odia writer Bibhuti Pattnayak presented the award to Swain at a function in Bhubaneswar. The award carries Rs 50,000 in cash and a citation.
Speaking on the occasion, Pattnayak spoke on immense possibilities of Odia literature and the role of organisations like Sukubina Srastha Trust in promoting Odia art, literature and culture. He urged litterateurs to carry forward the legacy of Sudhir Kumar Bijayendra Narayan in whose memory the trust has been created.
Eminent poet and trustee Pradeep Biswal described Swain as one of the front ranking fiction writers of contemporary Odia literature. During the last five decades, he has presented several short story collections to the readers depicting the plight of the common man in the society.
Gaurahari Das, well known writer and Editor of Sambad Group, spoke of Bibhuti Pattnayak’s role in Odia literature as a trend setter. He said Odia fiction writing had been greatly influenced by his work.
Swain spoke of the challenges faced by Odia short story writers and the efforts needed to boost writing and readership. Popular writer and trustee Jitendra Narayan Dash spoke of the humanism in both Sukubina and Swain’s works.
Jatin Nayak, litterateur and trustee, offered vote of thanks.
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