Bhopal: In a significant recognition of literary excellence and social documentation, 2014 batch IAS officer Dr. Abhay Arvind Bedekar, Additional Managing Director of the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board and noted author, has been selected for the prestigious Rajendra Anuragi Award by the Madhya Pradesh Sahitya Akademi for his acclaimed work Corona Yoddha Ki Sangharsh Katha.
The award has been conferred in the Diary Genre under the State-Level Regional Literary Awards for the calendar year 2024, announced by the Sahitya Akademi functioning under the Madhya Pradesh Sanskriti Parishad, Department of Culture.
The recognition marks a major achievement for Dr. Bedekar, whose work chronicles the extraordinary struggles, sacrifices and experiences of frontline warriors during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sahitya Akademi Announces 2024 Literary Awards
The Madhya Pradesh Sahitya Akademi recently announced its All-India and Regional Literary Awards for 2024, honouring authors who have made significant contributions to literature across various genres.
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According to Dr. Vikas Dave, Director of the Sahitya Akademi, the selected authors will be felicitated with a cash prize of ₹51,000, along with a shawl, shriphal (coconut), memento and citation at a formal ceremony to be organised by the Department of Culture.
While the jury selected two outstanding works jointly in most categories, Corona Yoddha Ki Sangharsh Katha emerged as the sole selection in the diary category, making the recognition even more noteworthy.
Sole Selection in Diary Category
One of the most remarkable aspects of this year’s awards is that Dr. Bedekar’s work was the only book selected for the Rajendra Anuragi Award in the diary genre.
In contrast, almost all other categories witnessed the selection of two authors or works by the jury. Literary observers view this distinction as a reflection of the book’s exceptional quality, relevance and impact.
The unique recognition underscores the significance of Dr. Bedekar’s literary contribution and the importance of preserving firsthand accounts of one of the most challenging periods in modern history.
A Powerful Chronicle of the COVID-19 Pandemic
Corona Yoddha Ki Sangharsh Katha documents the unprecedented challenges faced by frontline warriors during the COVID-19 crisis.
Written in a diary-style narrative, the work vividly captures the experiences of healthcare workers, administrators, police personnel and countless individuals who played crucial roles during the pandemic.
The book offers readers an intimate perspective on the fear, uncertainty, resilience and determination that defined the period, while also highlighting the extraordinary human spirit that emerged during a global crisis.
More Than a Book, a Social Document
Literary experts believe that Dr. Bedekar’s work transcends conventional storytelling and serves as an important social and historical document.
The book preserves memories of a defining chapter in India’s contemporary history by recording real-life experiences, administrative challenges and human stories that unfolded during the pandemic.
Through detailed observations and authentic narration, the work provides valuable insights into how frontline workers responded to an unprecedented public health emergency.
By documenting these experiences, the book ensures that future generations can better understand the sacrifices and commitment demonstrated by those who stood at the forefront of the fight against COVID-19.
Dr. Abhay Bedekar: Administrator and Author
Currently serving as Additional Managing Director of the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board, Dr. Abhay Arvind Bedekar has earned recognition both as an accomplished administrator and as a respected literary figure.
His latest honour highlights the successful blend of public service and literary creativity that has characterized his career.
Through his writing, Dr. Bedekar has demonstrated how literature can serve as a powerful medium to preserve history, document social realities and inspire future generations.
Literary Community Welcomes the Recognition
The announcement has been widely welcomed by literary circles, intellectuals, readers and admirers across Madhya Pradesh.
Many have described the award as recognition not only of Dr. Bedekar’s literary excellence but also of the countless frontline warriors whose efforts helped society navigate one of the most difficult periods in recent memory.
The honour is being viewed as a tribute to resilience, courage and public service during a time when communities across the world faced unprecedented challenges.
Formal Felicitation Ceremony Expected Soon
The Department of Culture is expected to organise a formal award ceremony in the coming weeks, where Dr. Bedekar and other selected authors will be honoured.
The ceremony will celebrate the contributions of writers whose works have enriched literature while also documenting important social and historical experiences.
For Dr. Abhay Bedekar, the Rajendra Anuragi Award represents another milestone in a distinguished career that bridges governance and literature, reinforcing the enduring role of writing in preserving history and honouring human perseverance.
The recognition of Corona Yoddha Ki Sangharsh Katha also serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by frontline workers during the pandemic and the importance of recording their stories for posterity.
About Dr. Abhay Arvind Bedekar
Dr. Bedekar is a senior Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer from the Madhya Pradesh cadre who currently serves as the Additional Managing Director of the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board. In this role, he drives the state’s global and domestic tourism strategies, spearheading international initiatives at trade fairs like FITUR Madrid and implementing safety-focused programs that have trained nearly 40,000 women as local drivers and guides. His diverse administrative career also includes key assignments as the District Collector of Alirajpur, Registrar of the MP Pharmacy Council, and Additional Commissioner for the Bhopal Municipal Corporation.
Beyond his governance duties, Dr. Bedekar is a celebrated Hindi author; in June 2026, he was honored with the prestigious state-level Rajendra Anuragi Award by the Madhya Pradesh Sahitya Akademi for his diary-format book Corona Yoddha Ki Sangharsh Gatha, which details the administrative and humanitarian challenges faced on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic
