Madhya Pradesh Delays Prestigious Awards For Years
Madhya Pradesh government delays awards in literature, arts, sports, and social service. Several honours pending since 2021.

The Madhya Pradesh government has delayed the announcement of most of its prestigious awards, which recognize talent and excellence in various fields. The Culture and Sports and Youth Welfare Departments administer these awards, but the announcement and conferral of many have been pending for years.
The Shikhar Samman, Rashtriya Kabir Samman, Rashtriya Sharad Joshi Samman, and Rashtriya Maithli Sharan Gupta Samman have been pending since 2023. The Rashtriya Iqbal Samman was last announced in 2021 and has been pending since then. The Rashtriya Kalidas Samman was last conferred for the 2022-23 period.
The Rashtriya Lata Mangeshkar Samman and Rashtriya Kishore Kumar Samman have not been announced since 2024. However, the Rashtriya Tansen Samman is one award that is being regularly conferred, presented during the annual Tansen Festival in Gwalior.
The Rashtriya Mahatma Gandhi Award for social service and promotion of Gandhian philosophy, administered by the Culture Department, includes a cash prize of Rs 20 lakh. It was last conferred for the 2024-25 cycle. The All India Indira Gandhi Award remains unannounced for more than a decade.
The Madhya Pradesh Urdu Academy confers literary honours for books published in Urdu, including six all-India awards with a cash prize of Rs 51,000 each. There are also 13 regional awards, each carrying a cash prize of Rs 31,000. However, these awards have been delayed by two years, with the 2021 and 2022 awards announced in April 2023.
The Department of Sports and Youth Welfare confers the Eklavya Award, Vikram Award, Vish-wamitra Award, and Life Time Achievement Award, which are awarded annually to athletes and coaches. However, the announcement schedules have frequently lagged by two years behind the current sporting season.
According to Sheo Shekhar Shukla, ACS, Culture, there is no delay, and the department has cleared many years' backlog over the past two years. However, the delay in announcing these prestigious awards has raised concerns about the recognition and appreciation of talent and excellence in Madhya Pradesh.
The delay in announcing these awards has significant implications for the recipients, who often rely on these awards for recognition and motivation. The delay also reflects poorly on the state government's commitment to promoting and recognizing talent and excellence.
In conclusion, the delay in announcing Madhya Pradesh's prestigious awards is a matter of concern, and the state government should take immediate action to address this issue and ensure that these awards are announced and conferred in a timely manner.
The Madhya Pradesh government should prioritize the announcement and conferral of these awards, ensuring that they are given the recognition and appreciation they deserve. This will not only motivate the recipients but also promote a culture of excellence and talent in the state.
Overall, the delay in announcing these awards is a reflection of the state government's priorities and commitment to promoting and recognizing talent and excellence. It is essential that the government takes immediate action to address this issue and ensure that these awards are announced and conferred in a timely manner.
The state government's delay in announcing these awards has raised questions about its commitment to promoting and recognizing talent and excellence. The government should take immediate action to address this issue and ensure that these awards are given the recognition and appreciation they deserve.
In the end, the delay in announcing Madhya Pradesh's prestigious awards is a matter of concern, and the state government should take immediate action to address this issue. The recognition and appreciation of talent and excellence are essential for promoting a culture of excellence in the state, and the government should prioritize the announcement and conferral of these awards.
Frequently asked questions
What is the status of the Rashtriya Mahatma Gandhi Award?
The award was last conferred for the 2024-25 cycle and includes a cash prize of Rs 20 lakh.
How many all-India awards are conferred by the Madhya Pradesh Urdu Academy?
The academy confers six all-India awards with a cash prize of Rs 51,000 each.