♦ Renowned Hindi writer Vinod Kumar Shukla (88) was named the recipient of India's highest literary honour, the 59th Jnanpith Award on 22 March 2025.

♦ The decision to honour Shukla was made by the Jnanpith Selection Committee, chaired by storyteller and Jnanpith awardee Pratibha Ray. He is the first writer from Chhattisgarh to receive the award.

♦ He is the 12th Hindi writer to receive the award. 

♦ The award carries a cash reward of Rs.11 lakh, a bronze statue of Saraswati, the Hindu goddess of learning, and a citation.

♦ He won the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1999 for his novel Deewar Mein Ek Khirkee Rahati Thi.

♦ His notable works include Naukar Ki Kameez (1979), which was adapted into a film by director Mani Kaul, and the poetry collection Sab Kuch Hona Bacha Rahega (1992).