Bhawani Shankar Nial, a noted poet of Kalahandi district, has brought credit for the district as well as for Odisha by participating in an international poetry festival held virtually on March 21.

The festival organised by Italy-based organistaion POESIA WORLD was attended by several poets from different countries like China, Taiwan, Vietnam, the USA and Japan.

Nial, who has three poetry collections in Odia and two in Hindi to his credit, was the only one from India to participate in the event. He reveals that some other collections of his translated poems are in press and would be published soon.

Nial’s poetry collection “Lockdown” that reflects his sensitivity towards global sufferings triggered by the Covid-19 pandemic has been translated into English by Professor Bankim Mund of the Dharamgarh Women's College and into the Italian language by illustrious Italian poet Emanuela Rizzo. This collection has earned huge accolades and recognition in European countries.

Nial joined the World Poetry Day Italy 2021 and also represented India in the World Poetry Meet France 2021. He has been honoured with various global awards like International Ambassador for Peace, WLFPHR, Bhutan, Global Peace Ambassador by Iraq Foundation India, Global Star Award, Bangladesh and Literary Luminaries Award 21, Nigeria. His poems have also been translated into various other languages like Servic, Russian, Chinese, French, Polish, Arabic and Albanian. Nial at present is editor of literary magazine “Mahuri” and monthly newspaper “Bande Kalahandi”. He has three Odia and two Hindi poetry collections to his credit.