NT NETWORK
The Gomant Sharda Puraskar was awarded to Mr Pundalik Naik at the hands of Dr S S Noor, renowned literary personality and vice-president of Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi recently.
Mr Pundalik Naik is a renowned Goan writer who had handled almost all literary forms such as play, story writing, poetry, one act play, radio play, teleplay, children’s literature, etc.

Some of his literary creations are treated as landmark in the Goan literary scenario. Mr Pundalik Naik is a recipient of many prestigious awards for his creative writing which includes Sahitya Akademi Award, Kala Academy Sahitya Puraskar and such many other awards and prizes. His creative writing attracted the younger generation to the literary field. His many literary works have been translated in other Indian languages and also in English. Now, he has been honoured with the very prestigious ‘Gomant Sharada Puraskar’ (Lifetime Achievement Award).
While addressing the gathering Mr Pundalik Naik said that, “Recently, on my visit to Italy, I experienced that the media is seen running after an author as compared to the Indian media which only pursues famous stars.”
He further confesses that he is pleased to receive this award at very young age compared to other eminent writers.
Further he exclaimed that an author should write about the social problems witnessed in society. “I believe a writer should write about the pain that our locals are suffering so that their future might be better. Similarly, what we are enjoying now is the fruit of the struggle of our freedom fighters. Therefore, it is significant that we act now. Writers should focus on such sensitive issues.”
Secondly, he also opined that in any profession it is a must that one should commit himself fully towards his job. This is applicable in the literary field as well.
Later, Dr Noor commended the works of Mr Naik and continued, “I am happy to be in Goa and this is my first visit to the Kala Academy. It is aesthetically beautiful. In fact, I would go to my state and request our academy to have such a premise and to build a structure like the Kala Academy there.”