Eminent feminist writer Sarojini Sahoo conferred 2024 Sarala Puraskar

Noted feminist writer from Odisha, Sarojini Sahoo has been conferred with the prestigious Sarala Puraskar for the year 2024, instituted by IMPaCT, the charitable wing of Indian Metals & Ferro Alloys Limited (IMFA).

Sahoo was honoured with the State’s foremost literary award for her novel ‘Asthira Pada’ published by Srujan India in 2019. She was presented with a citation, trophy and Rs 7 lakh by the trustee of IMPaCT, Paramita Panda and chief guest Devdas Chhotray at a programme organized on Wednesday.

“It is definitely encouraging. It’s a proud moment for a writer to get the award from her own soil for lifetime achievement,” said Sahoo.

Meanwhile, renowned sculptor Sudarshan Sahoo and famous singer Tansen Singh were conferred with the ‘Ila-Bansidhar Panda Kala Samman’, given every year by the IMPaCT for lifetime excellence in the field of art. 

They received a citation and Rs 2.5 lakh cash award each. 

“I am indebted for your love. I am very much happy for the award. I will continue to sing till the last breath of my life,” said Singh.

“We have been conferring this award for the last 45 years which itself is a big milestone. We have also increased the amount of cash award to Rs 7 lakh and Rs 2.5 lakh. That is also a big thing. It gives us pleasure that IMFA as a company is so much dedicated to making Sarala Puraskar a very impactful and the most respected award,” said Paramita Panda.

The Sarala Puraskar, instituted by eminent Odia industrialist Dr Bansidhar Panda and his wife Ila Panda in 1980, has continuously been awarded by the Indian Metals Public Charitable Trust (IMPaCT).