Bhubaneswar: Noted Odia litterateur Dr Hrusikesh Panda was conferred with the prestigious Sarala Award-2012 for his novel ‘Garba Karibara Katha’ (Matter of Pride) and overall literary achievements.

Panda received the award from Vishwanath Prasad Tiwari, vice-president of Kendriya Sahitya Akademi at a glittering function at Jayadev Bhawan here.

The Sarala Award committee announced this in a meeting held here yesterday. 

The award, instituted by the Indian Metals Public Charitable Trust (IMPaCT), carries a cash award of Rs 2.5 lakh along with a citation. 

Dr Panda, a 1979 batch IAS officer of Odisha cadre posted now as Additional Secretary in the Union Ministry of Panchayatiraj was a role model for Odia youth for becoming the first Odia to top the UPSC civil services examination. 

Besides Panda, two other notable personalities- eminent Mardal player Banamali Maharana and social worker Padma Charan Nayak were also felicitated for their valuable contributions in their respective fields.

The Sarala Award is recognized as the foremost literary award of Odisha and major contribution of IMPaCT to glorify Odia literature.