IFFCO Sahitya Samman 2025 Awarded to Maitreyī Pushpa IFFCO Young Literary Award 2025 to Ankita Jain

About Maitreyī Pushpa

Maitreyī Pushpa was born on 30 November 1944 in Sikurra village of Aligarh district. Her early life was spent in Khilli village of Jhansi district. She completed her M.A. in Hindi Literature from Bundelkhand College, Jhansi.

She has made a significant contribution to Hindi literature through her short stories, novels, autobiographical works, women’s writings, poetry, plays, memoirs, and reportage. Many of her works strongly reflect rural life, agriculture, women’s issues, and changing Indian realities.

Some of her stories and novels have also been adapted for television. She has received several prestigious awards, including the Premchand Samman, Sahitya Akademi-related honours, Sarojini Naidu Award, Mahadev Prasad Paritoshik, Mahātma Gandhi Samman, and many others.

About Ankita Jain

Ankita Jain began her career as a research associate and assistant professor before becoming a full-time writer. Her first book, “Aisi Vaisi Aurat”, became a Jagran–Nielsen bestseller. Her other notable works include “Main Se Maa Tak”, “Baheliye”, “Oh 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 years on BIG FM programmes.

Apart from writing, Ankita is actively involved in agriculture and rural development. She is the Director of Vaidik Vatika, an agro-manufacturing firm, and a founding member and director of Jai Jungle Farmers Producer Company, working closely with tribal women self-help groups on forest produce. She is also a professional Russian sculpture painting artist and teacher, running her art venture under the name “Art & Ankita”.

About the Award

The IFFCO Sahitya Samman was instituted in 2011 and is awarded annually to a Hindi writer whose works prominently portray rural and agricultural life. Previous recipients include Vidyasagar Nautiyal, Shekhar Joshi, Sanjeev, Mithileshwar, Shivmurti, Madhu Kankaria, Jayanandan, and others.

The award carries a citation, a memento, and a cash prize of ₹11 lakh.

Selection and Ceremony

The selection committee, chaired by senior writer Mrs. Chandrakanta, chose Maitreyī Pushpa for her deep literary engagement with rural society, agriculture, and India’s changing social reality. Other jury members included Nasira Sharma, Anant Vijay, Yatindra Mishra, Dr. Nalin Vikas, and Utkarsh Shukla.

IFFCO Managing Director Mr. K.J. Patel congratulated Maitreyī Pushpa, describing her as a writer of strong social concern, especially known for her powerful portrayal of Bundelkhand’s life and women’s experiences.

Chairman Mr. Dilip Sanghani, the chief guest, praised both awardees. He said Maitreyī Pushpa’s writing, rooted in personal experience, gives a rare and authentic voice to social realities. He also expressed confidence in Ankita Jain’s immense future potential.

On the occasion, Flying Feathers Art Association, under the direction of Ajay Kumar, staged a theatrical adaptation of Maitreyī Pushpa’s story “Gunahgar”. The ceremony was attended by teachers, students, and a large number of literature lovers.

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