Veteran journalist and columnist Anant Vijay has been selected for the Pandit Madhav Rao Sapre National Creativity Award, one of 36 distinguished honours the Chhattisgarh government will confer at its Rajya Alankaran Samaroh (state decoration ceremony) on 3 November 2026. The felicitation coincides with Chhattisgarh Rajyotsava — the state's foundation day — marking a significant moment in the annual cultural calendar of the state.

Why Anant Vijay Was Chosen

The award recognises Anant Vijay's more than three decades of distinguished work as an editor, writer, and public intellectual. Currently serving as Editor (Features) at Dainik Jagran — the country's most widely read newspaper group — he has built a reputation for rigorous writing across journalism, cinema criticism, and cultural commentary.

He already holds the Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi Award, recognised as the Government of India's highest honour in journalism, as well as the National Film Award (Swarna Kamal) for outstanding writing on cinema — a rare dual distinction that bridges print journalism and film scholarship.

A Prolific Author and Broadcaster

Beyond newsrooms, Anant Vijay is the author of 17 books. His latest, 'Marxwad ka Ardh-satya' (The Half-Truth of Marxism), generated significant intellectual debate upon release, contributing to what observers describe as a growing alternative discourse on political philosophy. An earlier work, 'Amethi Sangram', attracted wide readership and was translated into multiple Indian languages, including English.

For the past 15 years, he has contributed a weekly column to Dainik Jagran on literature, art, and culture, and is also a regular columnist in Nai Dunia. His presence in television debates has made him a recognisable voice in national media conversations.

Institutional Roles and Appointments

Anant Vijay serves as Vice-Chairman of the Governing Council of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune. He was appointed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi last year as a member of the Selection Committee for the Padma Awards. He has also served as a Visiting Fellow at the Indian Institute of Advanced Study (IIAS), Shimla — reflecting the breadth of his engagement with India's academic and cultural institutions.

The Award and the Broader Ceremony

The Pandit Madhav Rao Sapre National Creativity Award is named after the pioneering Hindi journalist Pandit Madhav Rao Sapre, widely regarded as a foundational figure in Chhattisgarh's literary and journalistic heritage. This year, the Chhattisgarh government is honouring achievers across 36 categories spanning sports and youth welfare, agriculture, public relations, cultural affairs, and tourism at the same ceremony.

The recognition of Anant Vijay underlines the sustained national relevance of print journalism and literary non-fiction at a time when both face structural pressures from digital media.