President Murmu Confers Kalinga Ratna Award 2024 to Dharmendra Pradhan

President Droupadi Murmu presented the Kalinga Ratna Award-2024 to Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan at an event in Cuttack, Odisha. The award ceremony was held during the 600th birth anniversary celebrations of Adikabi Sarala Das, a revered 15th-century Odia poet, organized by the Sarala Sahitya Sansad. The event highlighted the literary contributions of Sarala Das and celebrated the promotion of Indian languages and culture.

Background and Context

Sarala Das, often referred to as Adikabi (first poet) of Odia literature, is credited with composing the Odia Mahabharata, a pioneering work that brought classical Indian literature into the regional linguistic fold. His contributions laid the foundation for the growth of literary tradition in Odisha and enriched India’s linguistic diversity. The Sarala Sahitya Sansad, a literary organization, commemorates his legacy through awards and scholarly events.

Aim and Highlights of the Event

The event was aimed at paying homage to Sarala Das’s life and literary work while promoting the values of linguistic inclusiveness and cultural pride. President Murmu emphasized the unity found in India’s linguistic diversity and highlighted how literature serves as a powerful bridge connecting culture, language, and education. She noted the significance of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which promotes education in the mother tongue, enabling children to better connect with their roots and traditions.

The Kalinga Ratna Award 2024

The Kalinga Ratna Award, presented annually by the Sarala Sahitya Sansad, recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions in the fields of education, literature, culture, or public service. This year’s recipient, Dharmendra Pradhan, was honoured for his commitment to educational reforms and efforts to elevate Indian languages.

Additional Honours

During the same event, noted short story writer Bijaya Nayak was conferred with the Sarala Samman, one of the state’s prestigious literary awards, recognizing his contribution to contemporary Odia literature.