Yashwantrao Chavan University reveals Vishakha Kavya Award 2025 winners for debut poetry

The Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University has announced the winners of the Vishakha Kavya Award-2025, an annual prize for debut poetry collections. This year's top honour went to Preshit Siddhabatti for Vismaranachya Aranyat, while two other poets also received recognition. The university will host the award ceremony on March 28, 2026, with Vice-Chancellor Prof. Sanjeev Sonawane presenting the prizes.

A total of 28 poetry collections were submitted for this year's Vishakha Kavya Award. The selection involved two stages: a preliminary screening committee shortlisted entries, followed by a final committee that chose the winners. Preshit Siddhabatti's Vismaranachya Aranyat secured the first prize, earning ₹21,000 and a memento. Mahanda Mohite's Ghungurmala took second place, receiving ₹15,000, while Balasaheb Nagargoje's Yuddh Petle Aahe claimed third, with a prize of ₹10,000.

The university also announced that renowned poet Haraprasad Das will be honoured with the Kavivarya Kusumagraj National Lifetime Achievement Literary Award-2025. This recognition highlights his contributions to literature, separate from the Vishakha Kavya Award.

Over the past five years (2021–2026), the Vishakha Kavya Award has remained the university's only publicly announced literary prize, according to official records and statements.

The upcoming ceremony on March 28, 2026, will formally recognise the winning poets and Haraprasad Das. The cash prizes and mementoes will be handed out by Vice-Chancellor Prof. Sanjeev Sonawane. This event marks the university's continued support for emerging literary talent in Maharashtra.