Thank you ICCr for honouring such a special one, the author is deeply grateful to the committee of Letters with all the members within the jury as they decided it in the author’s favour.
All the details are given below about the governing body and the honour:
📢 Celebration update
Author and researcher Saurabh Pant has been celebrated for his contribution to literature, research, and cultural dialogue with the Research Associate Medal, presented under the banner of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR).
The honour represents an important milestone in Pant’s literary journey, recognising the power of his writing to explore contemporary issues, nature, society, and the changing cultural landscape. His body of work reflects an enduring commitment to ideas that connect readers across geographical and cultural boundaries.
The award also adds significance to Pant’s growing presence in international literary circles. Over the years, his books and literary projects have been associated with readers, forums, festivals, and cultural initiatives in different parts of the world.
For Pant, the Research Associate Medal stands not merely as a personal accolade but as a recognition of the larger role literature can play in creating dialogue and understanding. It celebrates a journey built around words, research, curiosity, and a sustained engagement with global readers.
The honour marks another memorable chapter in Saurabh Pant’s evolving literary career—one that continues to place literature, research, and cultural exchange at the centre of his creative vision.
🔵 Briefing on ICCR
The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) is an autonomous organization under the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India.
Founded on 9th April 1950, its main objective is to participate in the formulation and implementation of policies pertaining to India’s external cultural relations.
🌏 Functions of ICCR
These are the key functions of the autonomous body:
- *Cultural Diplomacy:
The primary goal is to promote Indian culture, art, dance, music and literature around the globe.
- *Scholarships:
It also helps students from abroad to receive financial aid or grants so they can coeducate through the Indian education system.
- *Chairs & Lectures:
It also arranges chairs and lecture series in relation to Indian studies in universities abroad so foreign people can come to know our diverse culture, languages, arts & literature, folk culture alongside music & dance.
- *Cultural Exchanges:
One of the more influential spectrum is to settle for exchange programmes between authors, writers and scholars of different countries helping them come in touch with Indian intellect and coordinate together for such programmes.
- *Tagore, Azad, Nehru Centres:
It also holds the pride to maintain Indian culture centres around the world and ensure they help Indian culture hold its strength and unity together.
ICCR’s motto is: “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”-
‘The World is One Family’.
Today ICCR has helped foster cultural ties with more than 160 countries and it is the mainstay of India’s soft power, demonstrating Indian strength around the globe.
📚 Brief author bio:
Saurabh Pant is an Indian born author with sight loss due to Retinitis Pigmentosa who was born on 4th of April 1994 in the beautiful hill station of Nainital in Uttarakhand that is also known for its serene beauty and cultural glories.
After having pneumonia at 3, he started to lose sight at 6, came in touch with braille at 12, learnt screen reading for computers and got educated from a prominent institute for the visually impaired known as NIVH.
In his college days in Kirori mal college he came back to inclusion where he found the touch of writing further and managed to publish his 1st book titled Affection never dies.
Ever since he never looked back as today he is the author of more than 120 works and has won 11 international awards alongside gold medals from Indian writing platforms.
The features in various news websites, magazines and appreciation makes him look exceptional as he believes in further growth completing 10 years in global writing this 2026 and he keeps working to become a master one day.
Once more, thanks to all who made this possible, deeply gratified.
