Sarala Puraskar Conferred On Odia Poet Nityanand Nayak

Bhubaneswar: The prestigious Sarala Puraskar was conferred on renowned poet Nityanand Nayak for his poetry collection ‘Sete Bela Ku Nathibi’ on Monday.

Nayak was presented with a citation, trophy and Rs 5 lakh in a programme organised for the 41st edition of the award in compliance with COVID-19 restrictions.

Similarly, Ila Panda Chitrakala Samman was presented to artist Shyamsundar Pattanayak and Ila Panda Sangeet Samman to musician Ranjeet Kumar Nag along with citation and Rs 1.5 lakh cash awards each.

“We don’t have a stage or a guest to confer the award. But we don’t feel the absence of any guest as three great talents, who are awarded by us, are our esteemed guests,” said trustee Paramita Panda.

The Indian Metals Public Charitable Trust (IMPaCT), the charitable wing of IMFA Ltd, has been presenting the Sarala Puraskar, instituted by Odia industrialist late Dr Bansidhar Panda and late Ila Panda in 1980, every year.