IFFCO Literature Awards 2025 Announced

About Maitreyi Pushpa

Maitreyi Pushpa was born on November 30, 1944, in Sikurda village of Aligarh district and spent her early years in Khilli village of Jhansi district. She holds a Master’s degree in Hindi Literature from Bundelkhand College, Jhansi.

Her major literary works include short story collections such as Chinhhar, Goma Hasti Hai, Lalmaniyan Tatha Anya Kahaniyan, Chhaanh, Peeri Ka Sapna, Samagra Kahaniyan, and 10 Pratinidhi Kahaniyan. Her acclaimed novels include Smritidansh, Betwa Behti Rahi, Idannammam, Chak, Jhoola Nat, Alma Kabootari, Aganpakhi, Vision, Kahi Isuri Phag, Tria Hath, Gunah-Begunah, and Farishtay Nikle.

Her other notable works span autobiography, women’s discourse, theatre, poetry, memoirs and reportage. Several of her stories and novels have been adapted for television, including the telefilm “Vasumati Ki Chitthi” and the serial “Manda Har Yug Mein”.

Maitreyi Pushpa has received numerous honours, including the SAARC Literary Award, Sarojini Naidu Award, Premchand Samman, Mahatma Gandhi Samman, Shashwati Samman, and several state and national literary awards.

About Ankita Jain

Ankita Jain transitioned from academia to full-time writing and is a former Research Associate and Assistant Professor. Her debut book “Aisi Vaisi Aurat” was a Jagran–Nielsen bestseller. Her other notable works include “Main Se Maa Tak”, “Baheliye”, “O Re! Kisan”, the novel “Mohalla Salimbagh”, and the children’s novel “Aatanki Mor”.

She has written the popular column “Ma-in-Making” for Prabhat Khabar and The Lallantop, and has contributed articles and editorials to platforms such as NBT Gold, India Today, Aha Zindagi, and iChowk. Her stories were broadcast for two consecutive years on BIG FM shows “Yaadon Ka Idiot Box” and “UP Ki Kahani”.

Beyond writing, Ankita Jain is the Director of agro-manufacturing firm Vaidik Vatika and a founding member and Director of Jai Jungle Farmers Producer Company, where she works closely with tribal women self-help groups on forest produce. She is also a professional Russian sculpture painting artist and instructor, running her art venture under the brand “Art & Ankita”, conducting workshops and creating commissioned artworks across various cities.

About the Awards

Instituted in 2011, the IFFCO Sahitya Samman is awarded annually to a Hindi writer whose work predominantly reflects rural life and agricultural themes. Previous recipients include Vidyasagar Nautiyal, Shekhar Joshi, Sanjeev, Mithileshwar, Ashtabhuja Shukla, Kamalakant Tripathi, Ramdev Dhurandhar, Ramdhari Singh Diwakar, Mahesh Katare, Ranendra, Shivmurti, Jayanandan, Madhu Kankaria, and Chandrakishor Jaiswal.

The IFFCO Sahitya Samman carries a cash prize of ₹11 lakh, along with a citation and a memento. The IFFCO Yuva Sahitya Samman includes a cash award of ₹2.5 lakh, a citation and a memento.

Both awards will be presented at a ceremony in New Delhi on December 30, 2025.

By Amit Deshmukh

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