‘Hindi literature written by a woman has gained recognition’: Alka Saraogi on winning the Dayawati Modi Stree Shakti Samman

"When my first novel was published in French, Italian, Spanish and German, it was like a dream come true," Alka Saraogi told

At 61, Alka Saraogi — who recently became the 21st recipient of the Dayawati Modi Stree Shakti Samman, and the first author ever to win the award — is a force to reckon with. Notably, the previous recipients of the award, given to “extraordinary women”, have been artists, journalists, and social workers.