Mahendra Madhukar’s ‘Vakratund’ Wins Dainik Jagran Literary Award

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 10th Oct: A historic moment unfolded for Hindi literature today as author Mahendra Madhukar was awarded the first-ever “Dainik Jagran Sahitya Srijan Samman” for his acclaimed novel ‘Vakratund’. The award was presented during the Narendra Mohan Memorial Lecture 2025 at Sovereign Hall, Le Meridien Hotel, New Delhi, with Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah as the chief guest.

Madhukar’s ‘Vakratund’ has been widely praised for its unique narrative and profound socio-cultural insights. The novel delves deeply into the complex aspects of Indian society, earning it recognition from the jury as a landmark work deserving of the inaugural award. The honour underscores Dainik Jagran’s commitment to promoting literary excellence and encouraging writers who enrich Hindi literature.

Major (Dr.) Parshuram Gupta was honoured for his novel ‘Bharatvarsh ke Akrantao ki Kalank Kathayein’, while Vikram Sampat was awarded in the translation category for ‘Savarkar: Echoes of a Forgotten Past (1883–1924)’. Kailash Manju Vishnoi also received recognition for his novel ‘UPSC Wala Love Collector Sahiba’.

The event was attended by eminent literary figures including Prasoon Joshi, Prof. Sachchidanand Joshi, Dr. Sharan Kumar Limbale, and others. Prasoon Joshi, speaking at the ceremony, said, “Literature will always remain a well, and readers will always be thirsty. In today’s world, people are finding their voice in Hindi like never before, making this award particularly significant.”

Dainik Jagran Group Executive Editor Vishnu Tripathi highlighted the close relationship between journalism and literature, saying, “Both aim at serving the nation and society, but while journalism deals with immediate information, literature often encompasses broader, timeless reflections. Narendra Mohan ji uniquely merged journalism and literary sensibility, incorporating insights for both present and future generations.”

The selection process for the award saw over 500 entries from works published in 2024, including contributions from National Film Award-winning authors and Sahitya Akademi recipients. A dedicated committee, including Dr. Sachchidanand Joshi, Dr. Sharan Kumar Limbale, and Prasoon Joshi, shortlisted and deliberated on the submissions before finalising the winners.

The event not only celebrated the laureates but also remembered Narendra Mohan’s legacy as a pioneering journalist and editor who, during the Emergency, boldly defended democratic values through his editorials, establishing enduring standards for Indian journalism over his 37-year career.

During the ceremony, Amit Shah lauded the contributions of Narendra Mohan (1934–2002), the former Editor-in-Chief of Dainik Jagran, saying, “Narendra Mohan ji combined values, dignity, and courage with journalism. During the Emergency, Dainik Jagran played a pivotal role in safeguarding democracy.” He also highlighted the “Hindi Hai Hum” campaign, emphasizing the deep connection between language, culture, and national identity.

The event saw the presence of eminent personalities including Prasoon Joshi, Prof. Sachchidanand Joshi, Prof. Kumud Sharma, Chittaranjan ji, and Sharan Kumar Limbale. Other awardees included Vikram Sampat for ‘Savarkar: Echoes of a Forgotten Past (1883–1924)’, Kailash Manju Vishnoi for ‘UPSC Wala Love Collector Sahiba’, and Major (Dr.) Parshuram Gupta for ‘Shameful Tales of Invaders of Bharatvarsh’.