Winners of Kalinga Literary Festival Book Awards announced in 12 categories

New Delhi: The Kalinga Literary Festival (KLF) announced the winners of the prestigious KLF Book Awards 2025, recognizing outstanding literary contributions across 12 categories.

The awards, conferred by Union Tourism and Culture Minister Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, celebrate the finest works in fiction, non-fiction, poetry, business, translation, children’s literature, and debut writing in both English and Hindi.

Kalinga Literary Festival (KLF) announced the name of winners of KLF Book Awards 2024 in various categories — Non-fiction, Fiction, Poetry, Business, translation, Children & Debut in Hindi and English.

This year’s winner list, drawn from a competitive longlist, showcases remarkable literary achievements across diverse genres, including fiction, nonfiction, poetry, children’s literature, business, translations, and debut works.

The formal proceedings began with dignitaries making their way to the dais, where the traditional Lighting of the Lamp and Saraswati Vandana infused the event with a sense of reverence and cultural richness.

Ashok Kumar Bal, CEO & Patron of KLF, delivered a compelling Welcome and Inaugural Speech, underscoring the festival’s unwavering commitment to recognizing literary brilliance and fostering a spirit of cross-cultural dialogue.

Following this, Rashmi Ranjan Parida, the visionary Founder & Director of KLF, addressed the gathering, offering a heartfelt reflection on the journey of the festival and the pivotal role of the Book Awards in shaping contemporary literary discourse.

His words highlighted the evolution of KLF as a significant platform that nurtures and celebrates the literary spirit.The most awaited moment arrived as the winners of the KLF Book Awards 2025 were announced.

Applause filled the hall as the literary achievements of remarkable authors were honored across various categories. The felicitation ceremony witnessed an outpouring of appreciation for the authors whose works have contributed significantly to the literary landscape.

A high point of the gathering was the address by the Chief Guest, Honourable Minister Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, who delivered an inspiring speech on the cultural and historical significance of literature.

His words served as a reminder of the power of storytelling and the need to nurture creative voices that reflect the essence of India’s diverse literary traditions.With 5 categories in Hindi and 7 in English, the awards highlight the richness and diversity of contemporary literature. Each Book winners awarded with ₹1 lakh, citation, trophy & traditional shawl.

These selections are a testament to KLF’s commitment to honoring groundbreaking works that inspire, connect, and provoke thought. This year’s winner list English includes notable works such as Dr. Vikram Sampath’s “Tipu Sultan: The Saga of Mysore’s Interregnum (1760-1799)” published by, Penguin, Nandini Purandare, Deepa Balsavar’s book “The Sherpa Trail: Stories from Darjeeling and Beyond” published by Roli Books, Vikas Swarup’s ‘The Girl with the Seven Lives’ published by Simon & Schuster, Rohit Manchanda’s book “The Enclave : A Sharp and Hilarious Portrait of Womanhood in India” published by Harper Collins, Poet Jeet Thayil’s book “I’ll Have It Here” published by HarperCollins, Smarak Swain’s ‘Digital Fortunes: A Value Investor’s Guide to the New Economy’ published by Bloomsbury India, Translator Arunava Sinha’s work “Ten Days of the Strike: Selected Stories – Written by Sandipan Chattopadhyay”, Debutant writer Neha Dixit’s book “The Many Lives of Syeda X : The Story of an Unknown Indian” published by Juggernaut and Savie Karnel’s book “Laxmi Panda: The Story of Netaji’s Youngest Spy” published by Westland. This year’s winner list Hindi includes notable works such as Writer Anant Vijay’s book “Over The Top : OTT ka Mayajaal Book” published by Prabhat Prakashan, Manisha Kulsherstha’s book “Vanya” published by Rajpal And Sons, Prabhat Ranjan’s book “Kissagram” published by Rajpal And Sons , Poet Shirish Kumar Maurya’s book “Dharm Wah Naav Nahin” published by Rajkamal Prakashan, Sujata Shiven’s translated by “Charu, Chivar Aur Charya –By Pradeep Das” published by Penguin, Debutant writer Gautam Choubey’s book “Chakka Jaam” published by Rajkamal Prakashan. These selections exemplify the rich tapestry of narratives that the KLF Book Awards aim to honor.

The KLF Book Awards are not just accolades but a celebration of the enduring power of literature to connect, inspire, and transform.