Honoured for her celebrated children’s story collection Belabaicho Shankar Aani Haer Kanyo
New Delhi | June 18, 2025 — In a proud moment for Konkani literature and Goa’s literary community, Nayana Adarkar, an acclaimed writer and storyteller, has been awarded the Sahitya Akademi Bal Sahitya Puraskar 2025 for her collection of Konkani short stories for children, Belabaicho Shankar Aani Haer Kanyo. The award was announced by the Sahitya Akademi as part of its annual celebration recognizing literary excellence across 24 Indian languages.
📚 A Voice for Young Minds in Konkani
Adarkar’s award-winning book, Belabaicho Shankar Aani Haer Kanyo, is a compelling collection of short stories that capture the innocence, curiosity, and inner world of children, while subtly weaving in themes of identity, family, and social values. Written in authentic, lyrical Konkani, the book has been praised for its emotive storytelling and cultural rootedness, making it a standout contribution to Indian children’s literature.
“This honour reflects the timeless relevance of storytelling in one’s mother tongue. I dedicate this award to the children of Goa and every reader who sees a piece of themselves in my stories,” said Nayana Adarkar in a statement following the announcement.
🏅 About the Bal Sahitya Puraskar
The Bal Sahitya Puraskar, awarded annually by Sahitya Akademi, celebrates outstanding works of literature for children published in Indian languages. The 2025 award includes a cash prize of ₹50,000 and an engraved copper plaque, and is decided by a language-specific jury panel.
For the Konkani category, the jury comprised:
- Kumud Bhiku Naik
- Rajay Pawar
- Louis Rodrigues
The jury praised Adarkar’s work for its “original narrative style, emotional depth, and its ability to meaningfully engage young readers through culturally relevant themes.”
🧒 Writing for the Young, In the Language of Home
Nayana Adarkar’s literary career has long been marked by a passion for preserving and enriching Konkani literature, especially for children and young readers. Her latest accolade is not just a personal milestone but also a significant step in elevating the status of Konkani as a vibrant language of creative expression.
🖋️ A Double Honour for Konkani
The announcement also brought recognition to another emerging voice in Konkani literature — Glynis Dias, who was conferred the Yuva Puraskar 2025 for her short story collection Gaavgaathaa. The Yuva Puraskar celebrates literary excellence among writers under the age of 35.
The Konkani jury for the Yuva Puraskar included:
- Anant Agni
- H. J. Goveas
- Madhav Borcar
Both awards highlight the creative momentum in Konkani literary circles, particularly in children’s and youth genres.
🎉 Award Ceremony to Follow
The official award presentation ceremony for the Sahitya Akademi Bal Sahitya and Yuva Puraskars will be held at a later date, where the recipients will be honoured in the presence of distinguished authors, scholars, and Akademi officials.
🏆 In Summary:
- Recipient: Nayana Adarkar
- Award: Sahitya Akademi Bal Sahitya Puraskar 2025
- Language: Konkani
- Work: Belabaicho Shankar Aani Haer Kanyo (Short Story Collection)
- Prize: ₹50,000 + Engraved Copper Plaque
- Recognizing: Outstanding literature for children published between 2019–2023
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