Bhubaneswar: Eminent writer Mridula Garg was conferred the Nilimarani Sahitya Samman 2024 during the Kadambini Sahitya Mahotsav and Patrika Haat on Sunday.
Writer Bijaya Kumar Nayak, Additional Press Secretary to the President of India, was bestowed with Kadambini Sahitya Samman 2024.
Other noted writers like Prof. Baishnab Charan Samal, Radhabinod Nayak, Sukamini Nanda, Tulasi Ojha and Prof. Narayan Sahoo were also honoured, with Kadambini Sahitya Sambardhana at the event.
Well-known Palla singer Prajnya Rout was felicitated with Kadambini Sambardhana Award 2024.
Prof. Shantanu Kumar Acharya, the president, proposed the idea of theming the annual Kadambini Sahitya Mahotsav, and advocated structured discourse around specific subjects to enrich literary discussions.
Kadambini Founder Dr Achyuta Samanta emphasised on the unique platform offered by the Patrika Haat, which helps amplify the voices of small publications across Odisha.
The January issue of Kadambini and children’s magazine KuniKatha were unveiled. The cover page models graced the occasion.
Garg and Nayak, recipients of awards named after Dr Samanta’s mother and Kadambini Editor, expressed gratitude.
Renowned writer Anita Agnihotri, a former bureaucrat from Odisha cadre, lauded KIIT for nurturing the little magazine movement through Patrika Haat.
Guests from the film fraternity were present. Director-producer Sandeep Singh pledged to promote the state and its talent through his cinematic endeavours, and compared Dr Samanta’s impact to that of Mother Teresa, acknowledging KIIT’s monumental contribution to society.
Actor Abhay Verma extolled KIIT as an institution and a sanctuary that shapes individuals into conscientious human beings.
Veteran Gujarati film producer Vinod Ganatra praised the festival’s essence and commended KIIT for championing quality education.
The Kadambini Literary Fest emerged as a celebration of literary diversity, cultural richness and educational empowerment.
It included a youth literary fest, a session on poetry and poems, and a children’s literature festival.
