CNN Central News & Network–ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal/ Delhi : The Swayam Prakash Memorial Trust, an organization working in the field of literature and culture, has announced its annual award in memory of the renowned literary figure Swayam Prakash. In a press release, Trust President Durgaprasad Agrawal stated that this national-level award for 2025 has been conferred upon the well-known storyteller Sandeep Meel for his short story collection ‘Bol Kashtkar’.
A three-member jury panel unanimously recommended the selection of this collection for the award. The panel’s chairman, prominent literary figure Akhilesh (Lucknow), said that Sandeep Meel is a distinguished writer of the younger generation, whose works highlight both opposition to oppressive powers and human struggles. Particularly notable is his portrayal of rural life with depth, authenticity, sensitivity, and advocacy, which is rare.
Senior jury member, story critic Rajeev Kumar (Darbhanga), noted that under the pressures of urbanization and commercialization, a large segment of society is gradually disappearing from literary narratives. Sandeep Meel brings them to life in his stories, giving prominence to farmers and laborers while presenting their challenges with a people-centered perspective. The third jury member, critic Pallav (Delhi), added that Sandeep Meel has established a serious literary identity in the field of storytelling, artistically presenting broad human concerns that the new market system seeks to erase. His works consistently affirm that the voices of marginalized and ordinary people continue to find representation in literature.
Sandeep Meel has published three short story collections: Duji Meera, Kokilashastra, and Bol Kashtkar. Recently, his first novel, ‘Samandar Bhar Ret’, was released. In addition, he has published a children’s story collection and several ideological works. Actively involved in social movements, Meel has completed a doctorate and post-doctorate in political science. His engagement has spanned from farmers to cultural workers.
Dr. Agrawal stated that Swayam Prakash, originally from Ajmer, Rajasthan, is known for his original contributions to Hindi fiction. He wrote around 250 stories and published five novels, along with works in drama, sketches, memoirs, essays, and children’s literature. Swayam Prakash received numerous awards from the Sahitya Akademi and other national literary institutions. His writings have been the subject of research at many universities, and several literary journals have published special issues evaluating his work. Born on January 20, 1947, in Indore, he passed away on December 7, 2019, due to cancer. He lived in Bhopal for a long time and was associated with editorial work for the journals Vasudha and Chakmak.
Dr. Agrawal mentioned that during the ceremony to be held in February, storyteller Sandeep Meel will receive Rs. 11,000, a citation, and a ceremonial shawl. Members of the Swayam Prakash Memorial Trust, formed to promote literature and democratic ideas, include poet Rajesh Joshi (Bhopal), critic Durgaprasad Agrawal (Jaipur), poet-critic Ashish Tripathi (Banaras), critic Pallav (Delhi), engineer Ankita Sawant (Mumbai), and Apoorva Mathur (Delhi).
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