Odisha Sarala Puraskar Conferred On Feminist Writer Sarojini Sahoo

Bhubaneswar : Noted feminist fiction writer Sarojini Sahoo received the prestigious Sarala Puraskar for her novel ‘Asthira Pada’ here on Wednesday.

She was presented a citation and cash reward of Rs 5 lakh as part of the literary award instituted by Indian Metals Public Charitable Trust (IMPACT).

The book was selected after two rounds of screening by eminent litterateurs of the state, including Gourahari Das, Bhagaban Jayasingh, Tapas Samantaray and Baijayanti Mishra.

Legendary sculpting artist Sudarshan Sahoo and playback singer Tansen Singh were also conferred with ‘Ila-Bansidhar Panda Kala Samman’ on the occasion for lifetime excellence in the field of art. Both artists received a citation plaque and Rs 2. 5 lakh each.

The award was given away by renowned writer and academician Devdas Chhotray and trustee of IMPACT Paramita Mahapatra.

Chhotray shared a personal anecdote, recalling how his father, playwright Gopal Chhotray, received the Sarala Puraskar in 2000 but couldn’t attend the ceremony.

Winner Sarojini Sahoo said that her pen is her identity. “After the announcement of Sarala Puraskar, I reconnected with the rest of the world. For the friends and relatives, I seemed to rise again. This is a strange life force, a wonderful awakening from deep sleep.”

Sarala Puraskar was instituted by eminent Odia industrialist Bansidhar Panda and his wife Ila Panda in 1980.