New Delhi, December 22: Eminent literary activist, poet and litterateur Sartchand Thiyam of Manipur was among the 23 literary figures selected for this year's prestigious Sahitya Akademi Awards.

He was chosen for the award for his travelogueNungshibi Greece in Manipuri published in 2002. A distinguished panel of jury representing 23 different recognized languages recommended the awards.

The award carries a citation, a copper plaque and a cheque of Rs.50,000.The awards will be presented to the awardees in a solemn function to be held here on February 20 .

He will be the first recipient of Sahitya Akademi Award in the field of travelogue in Manipuri category.

The travelogue got the Best Book Award in Manipur State Book Fair organized by the Government of Manipur in 2002.Again, its English translation was published in the year 2005 under the title O Lovely Greece translated by Chingkheinganba Thangjam.

About this book, Saratchand Thiyam said it was a documentation of his personal experience and feeling evoked in his mind with the messages of peace namely.

disarmament, a new world order of peace and security, peace, development and culture for peace.

His work was the product of his visit to Greece in the year 2002 to attend the World Peace Conference organized by the World Peace Council from May 10-14.Saratchand Thiyam is currently serving as a Junior Engineer in the Irrigation and Flood Control Department under the Government of Manipur.

He was honoured with Jamini Sunder Guha Gold Medal instituted by Manipuri Sahitya Parishad, the leading literary organization of Manipur, in the year 2002 in his poetryYumlingdabashingi Yum.

He associated in many leading literary organizations in Manipur.

He was the Secretary General of Manipuri Naharol Sahitya Samiti and also editor of its literary journal � Wakhal.

His poems are translated in many Indian languages.

One of his poemIche, that has been translated in English by Robin S.Ngangom as Sister is being taught in Master Degree course in English of the Nagaland University.

He is currently working on a travelogue under the title� Nungshibi Bangladesh.

It will also be a documentation of his experience and feeling that he found in Bangladesh during his 15 days trip in May 2004 in connection with the annual conference of the Bangladesh Manipuri Sahitya.

So far, Manipur has produced 32 National Sahitya Akademi Awardees every year except 1975 and 1980 since 1973 till date.

Out of 32 Sahitya Akademi award-winning Manipuri books, 13 are in short stories, 10 poetry, five novels, three plays and a travelogue.

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