| Mehanati IN: Renowned poet activist and journalist Jacinta Kerketta, known for her powerful writings addressing the injustices faced by Adivasi communities, has declined the 'Aaj Tak Sahitya Jagriti Udyman Pratibha Samman' award from the India Today Group. Kerketta's decision comes as a symbolic gesture, highlighting the ongoing injustices against tribals in Manipur, central India, and the global community. |
The award, which recognized her poetry collection, came with a prize of Rs. 50,000. However, Kerketta expressed that she didn't experience any thrill or happiness from the news of this honor, as she believes that respect for life is missing from the lives of many people. Her heart remains troubled, and thus, she has decided to decline the prestigious honor.
Kerketta pointed out the indifference of mainstream media towards the struggles faced by the tribals of Manipur. She emphasized that standing with their struggle is crucial to feeling respected. Through her poetry and journalism, Kerketta sheds light on the Adivasi identity of youth, protests against systemic oppression, gender-based violence, displacement, and questions the apathy of governance.
The impact of Kerketta's work extends far beyond her homeland. Forbes India recognized her as one of India's top 20 Self-Made Women, acknowledging her significant contributions to literature and journalism. In 2014, she received the Asia Indigenous People's Pact (AIPP) award in Bangkok for her journalistic work, 'Indigenous Voice of Asia.' The same year, she was honored by the civil society organization Jharkhand Indigenous Peoples Forum and the Chota Nagpur Cultural Association for her poems. The Ravishankar Upadhyay Memorial Institute in Varanasi awarded her the Ravishankar Upadhyay Memorial Youth Poetry Award. In 2017, she received the Aparajita Award from the daily Prabhat Khabar. In 2019, she was recognized with the Foundation of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Women Exemplar Recognition Award.
Kerketta's poetry collections, such as 'Angor' (2016) and 'Jadon ki Zamin' (2018), offer a poignant glimpse into the injustices faced by Adivasi communities. Her work transcends language barriers, with translations of her poetry available in German, Italian, and French.
Jacinta Kerketta's decision to decline the 'Aaj Tak Sahitya Jagriti Udyman Pratibha Samman' award serves as a powerful reminder of the ongoing struggles and marginalization faced by Adivasi communities in India and around the world. She continues to be a beacon of hope and a voice for the voiceless, using her powerful words to bring attention to the pressing issues that demand our collective action and empathy.
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