Noted writer Monalisha Saikia has been chosen for the Dainik Asam Literary Award for the year 2016 for her novel Shankhaninad. Saikia’s Shankhaninad came up in 2015.
A two-tier jury, comprising of prominent litterateurs and literary critics of the State selected Saikia for the award, which carries a cash prize of Rs 50,000 and a citation.
Born in 1975, Monalisha Saikia has carved a niche for herself among the Assamese readers with five well-received novels and five story collections. The story collection Punar Janam Loi Tejimolai fetched her the Munin Barkataki Award in 2004. Her other story collections include Sangopane Heujiya, Panir Ei Jiban Nil Paban, Big Bazar and Ketiyaba Pakhila.
Besides Shankhaninad, other novels written by Saikia are – Aborir Akash Aru Prithibi, Andolita Akash, Papor Prithibi and Satyaban Dur Hoi Najaba.