Why in News?
Odia poet and essayist Ashutosh Parida has been selected for the 2026 Sarala Puraskar for his poetry collection ‘Bishwas De Pruthwi’.
Key Highlights
- The Sarala Puraskar is given every year by the Indian Metals Public Charitable Trust (IMPaCT) for outstanding contribution to Odia literature.
- Parida will receive the award at a function in Bhubaneswar on 25 October 2026.
- He will receive a citation, copper plaque and ₹7 lakh cash prize.
- Parida is also a former scientist at the CSIR-Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology (CSIR-IMMT).
- The Ila-Bansidhar Panda Kala Samman 2026 will be given to Odissi maestro Guru Durga Charan Ranbir and sculptor and art educator Damodar Behera.
- Both artists will receive a citation, copper plaque and ₹2.5 lakh cash prize.