Bhubaneswar(OT Webdesk): The Sahitya Akademi has unveiled its Youth (Yuva) and Children’s (Bal) Literature Award winners for 2025, recognising literary talents across 23 and 24 Indian languages, respectively.
In Odia, Subrat Kumar Senapati received the Yuva Puraskar for his short story anthology Kadambaban, which comprises 15 nuanced narratives reflecting a spectrum of emotions and social commentaries.
Already celebrated for his earlier work, Nishiddhaban, Senapati has previously garnered the Katha Nabaprativa Puraskar and Srujanjhara Galpa Samman.
Dr. Rajkishore Padhi, a stalwart in children’s literature, earned the Bal Sahitya Puraskar for his 2023 poetry collection Kete Phula Phutichi.
With over five decades of contributions to the genre, Padhi’s recognition adds to his distinguished legacy.
Meanwhile, Fagu Baske, a young Santali poet and digital literature advocate from Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district, was selected for the Yuva Puraskar in Santali for his work Ala Saam In.
Notably, Baske co-founded Santali Wikipedia and edits the e-magazine Birmali, contributing significantly to the preservation and digital propagation of Santali literature.
Each award comprises a Rs 50,000 cash prize and a copper plaque and will be formally presented at an upcoming Sahitya Akademi festival.
The selection was made by language-specific three-member juries constituted by the Akademi.
