The second Akshaya Upanayasa Puraskar, instituted by the Pratibha Ray Foundation Trust, was conferred on writer Ranjan Pradhan for his novel “Budha Balangara Majhi” in a ceremony at the Jayadev Bhawan here on Wednesday.
The award has been instituted in memory of eminent engineer Akshaya Chandra Ray, founder of renowned publishing house Adya Prakashani. The award includes a cash prize of Rs 51,000, a citation and a memento. Chief guest Soumya Ranjan Pattnaik, Editor, Sambad, said the award would encourage young writers to choose novel writing as their creative genre. Guest of honour Tarun Kanti Mishra, writer and ex-Chief Secretary, praised the endeavour for creating this opportunity for young writers.
Jnanpeeth award-winning writer Dr Pratibha Ray, president of the trust, said the trust conceived of this award to recognise young writers and encourage more such talents in the field of novel writing in Odia