Shabd Samman convener Yashwant Vyas speaks on language, legacy, and jury deliberations
Women’s literary contributions across Indian languages have taken centre stage with the announcement of the Akashdeep honours under the Amar Ujala Shabd Samman 2025. The highest recognition instituted by Amar Ujala will be conferred on eminent Hindi short story writer Mamta Kalia and renowned Manipuri author Arambam Ongbi Memchoubi for their lifetime contribution to literary life.
The Akashdeep Award is Amar Ujala Shabd Samman’s most distinguished honour and is presented annually to one writer from Hindi and one from a non Hindi Indian language. Each recipient receives a cash prize of Rs. 5,00,000, a citation, and a Ganga sculpture as a symbolic memento.
The selection of two women writers this year carries added significance. The United Nations had declared 1975 as the International Women’s Year, and 2025 marks its golden jubilee. In addition, 2026 has been dedicated by the United Nations to recognising women’s contributions to agriculture. Against this global backdrop, the recognition of Mamta Kalia and Arambam Ongbi Memchoubi lends the Akashdeep honours a distinct cultural and historical resonance.
Mamta Kalia, born on November 2, 1940, emerged as a powerful literary voice during the early waves of feminism in Hindi literature. With more than a dozen notable works to her credit, her writing has consistently explored the complexities of middle class life and the evolving question of women’s identity in Indian society.
Arambam Ongbi Memchoubi, born as Dr. Thounaojam Chanu Ibemhal on January 1, 1957, is widely recognised for her contribution to contemporary Manipuri literature. Her work engages deeply with postcolonial thought, women’s identity, and Meitei myths, establishing her as a significant voice in the literary landscape of Manipur and Indian languages beyond Hindi.
Speaking on behalf of the awards, Yashwant Vyas, Group Advisor at Amar Ujala and convener of the Shabd Samman, said that the initiative was launched in 2018 to support the collective dream of Indian languages and to create a credible platform that honours both legacy and contemporary literary excellence.
Alongside the Akashdeep honours, Amar Ujala has also announced the Shabd Samman Best Work Awards for Hindi literary works published in 2024. Savita Singh’s poetry collection Vaasna Ek Nadi Ka Naam Hai was selected in the Chhap category, while Naish Hasan’s Mutah received recognition in Non Fiction. Shahadat’s short story collection Curfew Ki Raat was chosen in the Fiction category.
The Bhasha Bandhu Translation Award will be presented to Sujata Shiven for her Hindi translation of Charu Chivar aur Charya, originally written in Odia by Pradeep Dash. The Thaap Award, recognising a debut work, will be conferred on Manish Yadav for Sudhaargrih Ki Malikainen. Each of these awards carries a cash prize of Rs. 1,00,000 along with a citation and a Ganga sculpture.
The shortlisted works were evaluated by a jury comprising poet Varsha Das, writer Vibhuti Narayan Rai, storyteller Dhirendra Asthana, writer and translator Damodar Khadse, and short story writer Balram. The Amar Ujala Shabd Samman 2025 will be presented at a formal ceremony to be held shortly.
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