UKHRUL: Haobam Nalini, an eminent Manipuri writer, has been honoured with the prestigious Sahitya Akademi Award 2025 in the Manipuri language category. She won the award for her short story collection, ‘Kanglamdriba Eephut’.
On Monday, Sahitya Akademi announced the 2025 award winners from 24 languages while honouring eight books of poetry, four novels, two essays, one literary criticism, one audiobiography, two memoirs and six books of short stories, including Nalini’s ‘Kanglamdriba Eephut’.
The award, which comprises a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh, a copper plaque and a shawl, will be presented to the recipients at the ceremony scheduled for March 31 in New Delhi.
Nalini’s short story collection, ‘Kanglamdriba Eephut’, was selected for the honour by a distinguished jury comprising H. Nani Kumar Singha, Irungbam Basanta Singh, and Mongsatabam Tuleshwari Devi. She is one of only three recipients from the northeast region to win this esteemed award. The other two northeast winners are Devabrat Das for the Assamese language and Sahaisuli Brahma for the Bodo language.
Over the years, Nalini, a member of the Manipuri Sanskrit Parishad, has published 10 books spanning various genres.It is noteworthy that the awarded book had previously received the “Yendrembam Surlata Puraskar Award 2020” from Sahitya Seva Samiti, Kakching.
Meanwhile, congratulating Nalini on her distinguished literary honour, Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla remarked that the recognition reflects the vibrancy and richness of Manipuri literature, making it a source of immense pride for the State. He further noted that the accolade acknowledges Nalini’s significant contributions to the literary world and serves as an inspiration for emerging writers to strive for excellence.