Maitreyi Pushpa honoured with IFFCO Sahitya Samman
Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO) on Monday conferred the IFFCO Sahitya Samman 2025 on eminent Hindi writer Maitreyi Pushpa in recognition of her outstanding contribution to Hindi literature, particularly her portrayal of rural life and agrarian realities.
At the same ceremony, the IFFCO Young Literary Award 2025 was presented to Ankita Jain for her book “Oh Re! Kisan”. The awards were presented by IFFCO Chairman Dilip Sanghani at a function held in the national Capital. Maitreyi Pushpa, born on 30 November 1944 in Sikurra village of Aligarh district, spent her formative years in Jhansi’s Khilli village.
She holds a master’s degree in Hindi literature from Bundelkhand College, Jhansi. Over the decades, she has made a significant mark through her short stories, novels, autobiographical writings, women-centric literature, poetry, plays, memoirs, and reportage. Ankita Jain, the recipient of the IFFCO Young Literary Award, began her professional journey as a research associate and assistant professor before turning to full-time writing.
Her debut book, “Aisi Vaisi Aurat” became a Jagran–Nielsen bestseller. Her other works include “Main Se Maa Tak”, “Baheliye”, “Oh Re! Kisan”, the novel “Mohalla Salimbagh”, and the children’s novel “Aatanki Mor”.
Instituted in 2011, the IFFCO Sahitya Samman is awarded annually to a Hindi writer whose work significantly reflects rural and agricultural life.
The award carries a citation, a memento, and a cash prize of Rs 11 lakh. Previous recipients include Vidyasagar Nautiyal, Shekhar Joshi, Sanjeev, Mithileshwar, Shivmurti, Madhu Kankaria, and Jayanandan.
IFFCO Managing Director KJ Patel congratulated the awardees, describing Maitreyi Pushpa as a writer of strong social conscience with a powerful depiction of Bundelkhand’s life and women’s experiences. Chairman Dilip Sanghani, the chief guest, praised both writers and expressed confidence in Ankita Jain’s literary future. On the occasion, Flying Feathers Art Association, under the direction of Ajay Kumar, presented a theatrical adaptation of Maitreyi Pushpa’s story “Gunahgar”.
The ceremony was attended by writers, teachers, students, and a large number of literature enthusiasts.
