NEW DELHI / RAJKOT — In a grand celebration of literary excellence, distinguished poet and author Rejimon Christraj Thekkumpurathu was conferred with the prestigious “Sahitya Seva Ratna Samman” by the World Culture and Environment Protection Commission (WCEPC), in collaboration with the Sahitya Seva Award Council. The national-level honor, approved by the Government of India, was presented in recognition of his exemplary literary work, dedication, and profound impact on the world of poetry and prose.

The recognition adds Thekkumpurathu’s name to a growing list of contemporary Indian writers being celebrated for using literature as a medium of cultural and social expression. For a poet whose work is rooted in themes of loss, endurance, and healing, the award represents not just personal achievement but validation of a larger literary mission — one that seeks to give voice to human emotion in a way that resonates across geographic and cultural boundaries.

The award prominently celebrates his critically acclaimed debut book, ‘Absence’s Pain: An Anthology of Endurance,’ a deeply moving collection of 20 poems that has resonated widely with readers for its emotional depth and thematic resilience. The anthology explores grief, longing, and the quiet strength required to carry on in the face of loss, and it has been praised for capturing universal human experiences through intimate, personal verse.

A Double Milestone: The Launch of ‘The Aroma of Darkness’

The high-profile event served a dual purpose — marking not only the award presentation but also the official launch of Thekkumpurathu’s highly anticipated second book, ‘The Aroma of Darkness.’ This new volume features an evocative collection of 21 poems, continuing the poet’s profound exploration of the human spirit, endurance, and transformation through verse.

Where his debut anthology dwelt largely in themes of absence and grief, ‘The Aroma of Darkness’ pushes further into the emotional terrain that follows — the slow, often invisible process of transformation that comes after pain. The collection has been described as a natural progression in Thekkumpurathu’s poetic voice, moving from mourning toward meaning, and from silence toward expression. Readers and early reviewers have noted the collection’s lyrical intensity and its ability to turn difficult emotional experiences into accessible, evocative verse.

The ceremony was graced by an array of eminent personalities, cultural icons, and literary scholars, who collectively unveiled the new book on stage. The presentation and launch took place amidst a gathering of media, writers, and art enthusiasts, celebrating a significant contribution to contemporary Indian English literature. The event underscored the growing recognition of independent and emerging poets whose work, though not always mainstream, carries significant emotional and cultural weight within India’s evolving literary landscape.

A Recognition of Literary Merit

The certificate of distinction, presented by the Sahitya Seva Award Council, states:

“Through their remarkable talent and creativity, they have enriched the literary landscape and inspired countless readers.”

In addition to the Sahitya Seva Ratna Samman, Thekkumpurathu was also inducted as an active member of the Sahitya Seva Award Council, acknowledging his ongoing commitment to global social and cultural development through literary mediums. Membership in the council is regarded as a mark of sustained contribution to literature, and it positions Thekkumpurathu among a select group of writers entrusted with furthering the council’s mission of promoting literary and cultural excellence on a national scale.

The World Culture and Environment Protection Commission, which conferred the award, has been active in recognizing individuals who use creative and cultural platforms to promote awareness, unity, and social good. By honoring a poet whose work centers on emotional endurance and healing, the commission has signaled its continued commitment to celebrating literature that speaks to shared human experience.

Author’s Message

Speaking on the occasion of this double milestone, Rejimon Christraj Thekkumpurathu expressed his gratitude to the WCEPC, his readers, and the wider literary community. He noted that both Absence’s Pain and The Aroma of Darkness represent different chapters of a shared human journey through grief, endurance, and hope. His remarks reflected a broader theme that runs through both anthologies: that pain, when given honest expression, can become a bridge to connection rather than a source of isolation.

For readers who have followed his journey from ‘Absence’s Pain’ to ‘The Aroma of Darkness,’ the two collections together offer a fuller picture of an artist willing to sit with discomfort long enough to translate it into words that others can recognize in their own lives. That willingness, more than any single award, may be what continues to draw readers to his work.

Where to Buy

Both poetry anthologies — Absence’s Pain: An Anthology of Endurance and The Aroma of Darkness — are available across major online platforms, including Amazon, Flipkart, and Google Play, making them accessible to readers across India and internationally. With this second release, Thekkumpurathu continues to build a body of work that speaks to endurance, transformation, and the shared human search for meaning after loss.

A crown does not make a king and a Genius blooms in silence

At a thought-provoking literary panel hosted by Kolkata’s renowned Adamas University, celebrated author and educator Anish Kanjilal delivered a powerful address that challenged one of the most enduring assumptions in the creative world: Do awards truly define an author’s worth?

Kanjilal—best known for his acclaimed books Fateless 13 and 11 Oracles, and recipient of honors including the Rajasthan Patrika Literary Award (2009), the National Education Forum’s Best Educator Award (2024), and the Best Poet Award at the Kolkata Literary Carnival (2025)—stood before an eager audience not to celebrate his accolades, but to dethrone them.

Despite a career adorned with recognition, the Founder and Director of Educare – The Institute used his platform to redirect attention to what he believes is the true legacy of any writer: their ideas, their words, and the worlds they create.

When Great Minds Reject Great Awards

One of the most compelling moments of Kanjilal’s address came when he revisited the legacies of literary giants who stood defiantly apart from the award culture.

He spoke of George Bernard Shaw, the first individual to have won both an Oscar and a Nobel Prize. Shaw, who famously insisted that “Art should not please; art should preach,” refused the Nobel Prize in 1926—calling it an insult—and later declined to collect his Academy Award as well. The Oscar, he quipped, could hardly justify the long journey to retrieve it. It was later sent to him and, as lore has it, ended up as a doorstop.

Kanjilal then invoked Jean-Paul Sartre, who turned down the Nobel Prize in Literature on the grounds that he did not want to be “institutionalized” or shaped by official recognition. These examples, he noted, remind us that the worth of a writer is measured not by medals, but by the courage and originality of their thought.

Tagore, Shakespeare, and the Immortal Power of Ideas

Moving closer to home, Kanjilal reflected on Rabindranath Tagore, whose Gitanjali found global acclaim thanks to the advocacy of artist William Rothenstein and the endorsement of W.B. Yeats. Tagore’s Nobel Prize was historic—but Kanjilal reminded the audience that even without it, Tagore’s literary influence would remain colossal.

He then turned to William Shakespeare, revered across centuries despite the complete absence of formal literary awards in his era. Shakespeare unknowingly pioneered psychological concepts—paranoia, psychosis, guilt—through characters like Hamlet and Macbeth long before psychology became a formal discipline in 1879. And yet, his works endure, studied and performed more than 400 years later.

Shakespeare didn’t need trophies,” Kanjilal noted. “His readers became his legacy.

The Bias Behind Many Modern Awards

Kanjilal also offered an incisive critique of how geography, politics, and institutional bias influence modern awards.

The Pulitzer Prize is limited strictly to American citizens.

The Costa Book Awards cater only to writers based in specific regions.

Such restrictions, he argued, often shrink the global literary conversation and exclude deserving voices. Some institutions, he added with a smile, even organize competitions only to reward themselves—an irony not lost on the audience.

Genius Recognized Only After Death

Highlighting the tragic disconnect between awards and true talent, Kanjilal invoked the case of H.P. Lovecraft, the father of cosmic horror who died in poverty and obscurity. Only after his death did the world recognize his pioneering genius—another reminder that awards often fail to detect brilliance in real time.

A Call to Bring Modern Voices Into the Classroom

Kanjilal concluded with a compelling appeal: modern educational curricula must make room for contemporary writers. While classical authors remain vital, he argued that today’s students need literature that reflects the complexities, fears, aspirations, and realities of the modern world.

A Writer Lives Through Ideas, Not Medals.

In his closing words, Kanjilal returned to the theme that framed his entire address:

Awards can encourage, but they cannot define. A writer lives through their ideas, their characters, their stories—not through the medals they collect.”

At a time when society often measures success through trophies and titles, Anish Kanjilal’s message at Adamas University offered a refreshing reminder: literature finds its true power not in recognition, but in connection—the quiet, intimate exchange between writer and reader.

And it is that bond, he insisted, that endures long after awards gather dust.

In an age where success is often measured by achievements, appearances, and social validation, The Self-Love: Accept, Heal, and Befriend Yourself by Dr. Jayant Kashikar arrives as a timely reminder that the most important relationship we will ever have is the one with ourselves. The book encourages readers to move beyond the noise of comparison and rediscover their inherent worth through self-acceptance, compassion, and emotional resilience.

Rather than presenting self-love as a fashionable trend, Dr. Kashikar explores it as a lifelong practice rooted in awareness and healing. Through sixteen thoughtfully structured chapters, the author examines themes such as self-awareness, forgiveness, healthy relationships, setting boundaries, positive self-talk, authenticity, and self-compassion, offering readers a practical roadmap towards emotional well-being.

One of the book’s greatest strengths is its accessibility. The language is simple, conversational, and encouraging, making complex psychological and emotional concepts easy to understand for readers of all ages. Throughout the narrative, Dr. Kashikar blends personal reflections, motivational insights, affirmations, and practical exercises that invite readers not merely to read but to actively participate in their own journey of healing.

The author also challenges several common misconceptions surrounding self-love. He argues convincingly that self-love is neither selfish nor a luxury reserved for the privileged. Instead, it is portrayed as the foundation of healthy relationships, emotional balance, and personal growth. By dismantling myths around perfectionism, validation, and societal expectations, the book inspires readers to redefine their relationship with themselves on healthier terms.

Equally compelling is the discussion on how society shapes our self-perception. Dr. Kashikar examines the influence of family, culture, media, and social networks on self-esteem while encouraging readers to replace external validation with inner acceptance. His message is clear: true confidence emerges when we stop living according to others’ expectations and begin embracing our authentic selves.

What distinguishes The Self-Love is its warm, compassionate tone. The book never lectures; instead, it speaks like a trusted friend who gently reminds readers that healing is not about becoming someone new but returning to who they have always been. Its recurring message—“You are enough”—resonates throughout the pages, making it both comforting and empowering.

At a time when mental health conversations are becoming increasingly important, The Self-Love serves as a valuable companion for anyone seeking greater emotional resilience, inner peace, and authentic living. Whether navigating personal struggles, recovering from setbacks, or simply wishing to cultivate a healthier mindset, readers will find meaningful guidance within these pages.