Thiruvananthapuram: Author and Jnanpith awardee Pratibha Ray accepted ONV Cultural Academy's literary award 2024 from CM Pinarayi Vijayan. She emphasised the unifying power of literature amidst religious and political divides. Receiving the literary award of Rs 3 lakhs, along with a sculpture and certificate from Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Ray stated, “My religion is humanity. My faith is within it.”

The Chief Minister, speaking at the 93th birthday celebration and award ceremony, noted the commonalities between writers ONV and Pratibha Ray. He also presented the youth literature award (Yuva Sahitya Puraskaram), comprising Rs 50,000, a sculpture, and a certificate, to poet Durga Prasad. Cultural Academy President Adoor Gopalakrishnan presided over the event, which featured speeches by poet Prabha Varma, G Rajmohan, E M Najeeb, Karamana Hari, M B Sanalkumar, and others.

The Chief Minister also honoured Balan Nambiar for crafting the award sculpture. Attendees included ONV's wife Sarojani and other family members.