Sahitya Akademi Hindi Translation 2025 highlights the release of Lithuanian novel The Last Day as Antim Din in collaboration with the Embassy of Lithuania, strengthening India’s cultural diplomacy and global literary exchange.
Landmark Hindi Translation Strengthens Cultural Ties
In October 2025 the Sahitya Akademi—India’s premier literary institution under the Ministry of Culture—released the Hindi version of the Lithuanian novel The Last Day, now titled “Antim Din”. The event, hosted at Rabindra Bhawan in New Delhi, was organized in collaboration with the Embassy of Lithuania, marking a major literary and cultural milestone.
About the Novel and Its Author
Originally penned by Lithuanian-Ukrainian writer Jaroslavas Melnikas, the novel delves into deep themes of identity, transformation and existential reflection, exploring how individuals and societies cope with change The Hindi translation was undertaken by Dr Poonam Tiwari and spans approximately 250 pages, making the work accessible to a wide Hindi-reading audience.
Significance of the Launch Event
At the launch, the Sahitya Akademi President, Madhav Kaushik, described the release as “historic”, emphasising that this is the first ever fiction from Lithuania translated into Hindi. The presence of literary figures, diplomats and scholars underlined the ceremony’s importance in strengthening literature-based diplomacy.
Broader Implications for Literature and Languages
This translation signals a growing trend of Indian institutions facilitating global literary access in Indian languages. By bridging the Lithuanian-Hindi literary gap, Sahitya Akademi is advancing the idea that world literature ought to transcend linguistic barriers. The novel’s arrival in Hindi invites Indian readers to engage with unconventional narratives from Eastern Europe, enriching their cultural literacy and global understanding.
What It Means for Students and Aspirants
For competitive exam aspirants — whether preparing for banking, railways, civil services, teaching or other government posts — this event carries multiple relevance. It offers a current-affairs story under the “Books & Authors” category, highlights India’s cultural diplomacy, and provides material for understanding international literary exchange and soft-power. The story exemplifies how institutions like the Sahitya Akademi can play a role beyond national literature, by promoting global works and cross-cultural engagement.
Why This News Is Important
Enhancement of Cultural Diplomacy
The translation of the novel into Hindi by Sahitya Akademi underscores India’s commitment to cultural diplomacy. By partnering with the Embassy of Lithuania, it sends a message that literary exchange is a valued dimension of international relations. Such initiatives expand India’s soft-power outreach and contribute to deeper bilateral understanding.
Enrichment of Reading Culture
Making a Lithuanian novel available in Hindi broadens the horizons of Indian readers and students. It elevates the importance of multilingual literary access and encourages learners to appreciate diverse world-literature. For exam-takers, awareness of such events helps build a rounded view of the national and international literary ecosystem, satisfying “Books & Authors” segments.
Relevance Across Exam Domains
Whether in the syllabus for teaching exams, civil services (e.g., the “General Studies” or “Indian Culture” portions), banking (current affairs sections), or state-level exams (awareness of national bodies), this news provides a current-affairs item that connects culture, policy (via the Ministry of Culture) and international cooperation. Including such items in preparation enhances one’s breadth of knowledge beyond just core subject matter.
Historical Context
The Sahitya Akademi, established in 1954, has a mandate to promote Indian literature in various Indian languages, as well as literature in translation. Over the decades, it has published many translations of Indian works into foreign languages and also world-literature into Indian languages. The translation of “Antim Din” marks the first time a Lithuanian fiction has been translated into Hindi, thereby extending the Akademi’s trans-lingual mission further into lesser-represented languages like Lithuanian.
Translation of foreign works into Hindi is part of India’s larger cultural policy which emphasises Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (“the world is one family”) and promotes literary exchange. Historically, such translations have helped in exposing Indian readers to diverse narratives—especially from Europe, Latin America, Africa—and thereby enlarged India’s intellectual and cultural horizons. The current translation reinforces this long-standing tradition.
Key Takeaways from “Sahitya Akademi launches Hindi edition of Lithuanian novel”
| S. No. | Key Takeaway |
|---|---|
| 1 | Sahitya Akademi released the Hindi translation of the Lithuanian novel “The Last Day”, now titled “Antim Din”. |
| 2 | The launch event was held at Rabindra Bhawan, New Delhi, in partnership with the Embassy of Lithuania. |
| 3 | The original author is Jaroslavas Melnikas and the translation into Hindi was done by Dr Poonam Tiwari. |
| 4 | This marks the first ever Hindi translation of a Lithuanian fiction work—representing a milestone in literary exchange. |
| 5 | The launch reflects India’s broader cultural diplomacy efforts and provides a current-affairs topic relevant for government-exam aspirants. |
FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is the title of the Lithuanian novel translated into Hindi by Sahitya Akademi?
The Lithuanian novel “The Last Day” has been translated into Hindi under the title “Antim Din.”
Q2. Who is the author of the original Lithuanian novel “The Last Day”?
The author is Jaroslavas Melnikas, a Lithuanian-Ukrainian writer known for his philosophical and psychological narratives.
Q3. Who translated “The Last Day” into Hindi as “Antim Din”?
The Hindi translation was done by Dr Poonam Tiwari.
Q4. Where was the launch event of the Hindi edition held?
The launch ceremony was held at Rabindra Bhawan, New Delhi, under the aegis of the Sahitya Akademi.
Q5. Why is this translation significant for India-Lithuania relations?
This marks the first ever Lithuanian fiction work translated into Hindi, strengthening cultural and literary ties between India and Lithuania.
Q6. Under which Ministry does Sahitya Akademi operate?
Sahitya Akademi functions under the Ministry of Culture, Government of India.
Q7. How is this event relevant for competitive exam aspirants?
It is an important Books & Authors current-affairs topic, relevant for exams like UPSC, SSC, Banking, Railways, Defence, and Teaching.
Q8. What role does Sahitya Akademi play in literature?
It promotes Indian literature and translations in 24 Indian languages and also encourages cultural exchange through translations of foreign works.
Q9. Which embassy collaborated with Sahitya Akademi for this project?
The Embassy of Lithuania in India collaborated for this translation and launch.
Q10. What broader message does this event convey about India’s global literary stance?
It underlines India’s cultural diplomacy and promotion of global literature, enhancing international literary cooperation and cultural understanding.
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