Date:21/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/21/stories/2008112151120200.htm

Other States - Orissa

Gangadhar Meher award for poet

Correspondent

BHUBANESWAR: Noted Oriya poet Haraprasad Das would be conferred the coveted Gangadhar Meher National Award for poetry for 2008.

The award, instituted in 1992 by Sambalpur University in memory of celebrated Oriya poet Gangadhar Meher, carries a citation, an angabastra (a shawl) and a cash award of Rs.50, 000.

The award would be presented to Das during the 42nd Foundation Day celebration of the University at Burla on Jaunary 4, university sources informed.

Das has been honoured with several major literary awards that include the central Sahitya Akademi award, Orissa Sahitya Akademi award and the Sarala Samman instituted by the IMFA Trust.

Well-known poets Ali Sardar Zafri (Urdu), Binda Karandikar and Jayanta Mohapatra (English), Ramakanta Rath (Oriya), K.S.Satchidanandan (Malayalam) and Gulzar (Hindi) have the past recipients of the award.