Jaipur, March 18 -- Jaipur District Collector Jitendra Kumar Soni has been selected for the prestigious Sahitya Akademi Award 2025 for his acclaimed Rajasthani short story collection 'Bharkhama'. The award, announced by the Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi, is among the highest literary honours in India and is conferred annually on outstanding works published in 24 recognised Indian languages. It carries a cash prize of Rs one lakh, a citation and a plaque. Active in both Rajasthani and Hindi literature, Soni has written extensively across genres including short stories, poetry, diaries and translations. He has authored over 15 books, many of which have received critical acclaim for their portrayal of folk culture, human relationships and social themes. Bharkhama, considered a significant work in Rajasthani literature, vividly captures rural settings, human struggles and cultural values. Its popularity is reflected in the fact that a Rajasthani film based on the same title has also been produced, contributing to the visibility of regional literature and cinema. Soni has previously received several honours for his literary contributions. In 2016, he was awarded the Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar for his Rajasthani poetry collection Rankhar. He has also received the Sudhindra Award from Rajasthan Sahitya Akademi, Udaipur, for his Hindi poetry collection Regmaal, among other recognitions. 45-year-old, Soni currently serves as the Jaipur District Collector. His latest recognition is seen as a milestone not only for Jaipur but for Rajasthan as a whole, further strengthening the national presence of Rajasthani language and literature. The announcement has come months after the academy cancelled a scheduled press conference in December 2025 to declare the awards....