The award, instituted by the Indian Metals Public Charitable Trust (IMPaCT) in 1980, carries a cash prize of Rs 7 lakh, a citation, and a copper plaque.
Dr Ashutosh Parida Received Prestigious 47th Sarala Puraskar: Noted Odia poet, essayist, and former scientist Dr Ashutosh Parida has been named the winner of the 47th Sarala Puraskar. He is acclaimed for his poetry collection ‘Bishwas De Pruthwi’, published in 2024 by Prabha Publication.
Dr Ashutosh Parida will receive a cash prize of seven lakh rupees, along with a formal citation and a beautifully crafted copper plaque. Organisers will present this award during a dedicated cultural ceremony in Bhubaneswar on October 25.
Seven remarkable books successfully reached the final judging round this year. These titles included ‘Aparna Mohanty ka Payeen Kabita’ by Aparna Mohanty, ‘Dahana Pada Bama Pada’ by Padmaja Pal, and ‘Sita’ by Archana Nayak. Other strong contenders were ‘Mayabarta’ by Bijay Nayak, ‘Mokhya Mudra’ by Prakash Mahapatra, and ‘Kabi ka Naam Bedbyash’ by Ramesh Prasad Panigrahi. The nominated works spanned diverse literary categories, ranging from poetry and short stories to full-length novels and traditional drama.
A distinguished jury comprising leading writers and academics made the final decision. In addition, Indian Metals Public Charitable Trust (IMPaCT) announced the Ila‑Bansidhar Panda Kala Samman 2026, honouring lifetime excellence in the arts. Odissi maestro Guru Durga Charan Ranbir and renowned sculptor‑educator Shri Damodar Behera will each receive ₹2.5 lakh, a citation, and a copper plaque.
The awards reaffirm IMPaCT’s mission to champion Odia literature, culture, and heritage, continuing a legacy that also includes the Ekalabya Puraskar for sports development launched in 1993.
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