People, Positions and Obituaries · 22 August 2026

Ashutosh Parida Selected for Sarala Puraskar for Poetry Collection

Exam-focused facts from the 22 August 2026 current affairs briefing.

Key facts

  • Ashutosh Parida, a noted Odia poet and former scientist, has been selected for the Sarala Puraskar for his poetry collection 'Bishwas De Pruthwi'.
  • The Sarala Puraskar is awarded annually by the Indian Metals Public Charitable Trust (IMPaCT) for best literary achievement.
  • The award carries a citation, copper plaque, and a cash prize of ₹7 lakh.
  • The Ila-Bansidhar Panda Kala Samman for lifetime excellence in art was also announced for 2026, to be conferred on Odissi maestro Guru Durga Charan Ranbir and sculptor and art educator Damodar Behera.
  • The Kala Samman includes a citation, copper plaque, and a cash prize of ₹2.5 lakh each.

View this story in the full daily briefing

Earlier coverage selected by topic similarity to help connect developments over time.

Puviyarasu, Tamil Poet and Translator, Dies

Puviyarasu, a renowned Tamil poet, translator, screenwriter, and actor, died at the age of 96 in Coimbatore. He was among the few Indian litterateurs to win the Sahitya Akademi Award twice, for translation and poetry.