Das was conferred the award for his book ‘Banhimana’. The book is a biography of freedom fighter Malati Chaudhury.
Classical Odissi singer Shyamamani Devi and painter Siba Panigrahi were also felicitated for their contribution in their respective fields. They both received cash award worth Rs 1 lakh and a citation each.
Das, the 89-year-old freedom fighter, has written a number of books on the history of India’s freedom struggle and the role of Odisha, including ‘Kalapanira Agnisikha’, ‘Agnujugar Ahwan’, ‘Bharatara Sasastra Mukti Sangram’, ‘Sahid Basu Bisnini’, ‘Kanika Praja Andolan ra Itihas’, ‘Netaji Aau Pheri Nahanti’ among others.
The Annual Sarala Award, comprising of cash prize of Rs 2.5 lakh and a citation, is conferred in recognition in the field of literature in Odisha. It is instituted in 1979 by Indian Metals Public Charitable Trust (IMPaCT), a charitable wing of IMFA Group.