The book ‘Gaon Majlis’ received the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1983
New Delhi, YNN (Rajat Bansal): To commemorate the 125th birth anniversary of Dr Harekrushna Mahatab, the renowned politician, writer, freedom fighter, and social worker from Odisha, fondly called ‘Utkal Kesari’, the first copies of the Hindi and English translations of his Odia essay collection ‘Gaon Majlis’, published by Sahitya Akademi, were presented to Hon’ble President Droupadi Murmu. The presentation took place during a grand function organised by the Ministry of Culture at Vigyan Bhavan. On this occasion, the Hon’ble President was also presented with a newly reprinted edition of a monograph on Dr Mahatab, published by Sahitya Akademi.
The English translation of ‘Gaon Majlis – Part 3’, which won the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1983 for Odia literature, has been undertaken by Tarun Kumar Sahu, while the Hindi translation has been rendered by Sujata Shiven. The Odia monograph on Dr Mahatab was authored by Baishnaba Charan Samal.
In conjunction with the event, Sahitya Akademi also organised an exhibition of Dr Mahatab’s works, which the Hon’ble President visited. During the visit, she was received by the Secretary of Sahitya Akademi, K. Srinivas Rao, who briefed her on Dr Mahatab’s literary contributions. Accompanying the Hon’ble President at the exhibition were Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, and Cuttack MP Bhartruhari Mahatab, son of Dr Mahatab.
Speaking at the event, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan emphasised the importance of introducing the younger generation to the works of Harekrushna Mahatab, the architect of modern Odisha. He highlighted the value of the Hindi and English translations of ‘Gaon Majlis’, along with essays written about Dr Mahatab, in understanding his legacy. The event also featured addresses by Hon’ble President Droupadi Murmu, Tourism and Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, and Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.
In memory of Dr Harekrushna Mahatab, a commemorative postage stamp and coin were unveiled during the event by the Hon’ble President.
