KARIMNAGAR, FEBRUARY 20, 2026: Indian soldier, Poet, Writer, and Translator, Peruka Raju was conferred with the prestigious Distinguished Literary Excellence Award 2026 in recognition of his outstanding and enduring contributions to literature.
The award was presented during the International Mother Language Day special ceremony held at Ravindra Bharathi. The event was jointly organised by the Telangana Department of Language and Culture, the National Telugu Saraswata Parishat, the Adileela Foundation, and the Telugu Bhasha Chaitanya Samiti.

Mr Raju is a Junior Commissioned Officer in the Indian Army. He is a native of Narsingapur village in Chadurthi mandal of Rajanna-Sircilla district. He founded an NGO called ‘My Gift’ aimed at helping the underprivileged sections through encouragement, empowerment and compassion.
Mr Raju has earned wide acclaim for his powerful, socially conscious writings across multiple languages. His continuous and remarkable literary journey reflects not only creative brilliance but also a deep and unwavering commitment to cultural preservation and linguistic awareness.
On this memorable occasion, Mr Raju’s lyrical composition titled “Telusuko” captivated the audience and received widespread appreciation for its profound expression and artistic depth.
The distinguished gathering included Ramanachari, Kesaraju Ramprasad (President of the National Telugu Saraswata Parishat), organiser P. Bade Saab, Adinarayana (President, Adileela Foundation, New Delhi), Bala Chari (Secretary, Telangana Department of Language and Culture), Kumari P. Vrunda, Radha Kudumam, along with eminent literary scholars, language enthusiasts, poets, youth representatives, and several other dignitaries.
The event, conducted in an elaborate and inspiring manner, featured thoughtful speeches and reflections from various speakers, all expressing deep admiration for Dr. Raju’s literary achievements and his significant contributions to society.
