<P> Sahitya Akademy gives these special awards to writers for significant contribution to Indian languages other than the above 24 major ones and also for contribution to classical & medieval literature . Like the Sahitya Akademi Awards, Bhasha Samman too comprise a plaque and a cash prize of Rs. 1, 00,000 (from 2009) The Sahitya Akademi instituted Bhasha Samman in 1996 to be given to writers, scholars, editors, collectors, performers or translators who have made considerable contribution to the propagation, modernization or enrichment of the languages concerned. The Samman carries a plaque along with an amount equal to its awards for creative literature i.e. rupees 1, 00,000.It was Rs. 25,000 at the time of inception, increased to Rs. 40,000 from 2001, Rs. 50,000 from 2003 and to Rs. 1, 00,000 from 2009. The Sammans are given to 3 - 4 persons every year in different languages on the basis of recommendation of experts' committees constituted for the purpose . </P> <P> The first Bhasha Sammans were awarded in to Dharikshan Mishra for Bhojpuri, Bansi Ram Sharma and M.R. Thakur for Pahari (Himachali), K. Jathappa Rai and Mandara Keshava Bhat for Tulu and Chandra Kanta Mura Singh for Kokborok, for their contribution to the development of their respective languages . </P> <P> Awards for translations were instituted in 1989 at the instance of then - Prime Minister of India, P.V. Narasimha Rao . The Sahitya Akademi annually gives these awards for outstanding translations of major works in other languages into one of the 24 major Indian languages . The awards comprise a plaque and a cash prize of Rs. 50,000 . The initial proposal for translation prizes contained provisions for a prize for translations into each of the twenty - two languages recognised by the Akademi; however, this was soon found to be unviable for several reasons: the Akademi found that there were insufficient entries in all the languages, and there were difficulties in locating experts knowledgeable in both, the language of translation and the original language, to judge the translations . Consequently, the Board decided to dispense with its original requirement for additional expert committees to evaluate the translations, and also ruled that it was not obligated to grant prizes in languages where suitable books were not nominated . The Akademi also requires that both, the original author as well as the translator, are to be Indian nationals . </P> <P> Over time, the Akademi has modified and expanded the conditions for the Translation Prizes . In 1992, the Akademi began to allow translations made in link languages to be eligible for the Awards, although it noted that translations made directly from the original language would always be preferred . In 1995, the Akademi also held that joint translations would be eligible, and in 1997, it dispensed with the process of advertising for nominations and replaced it with invitations for recommendations from advisory boards and Committee members . As of 2002, 264 prizes have been awarded to 266 translators . </P>

Who has been honoured with sahitya academy bhasha samman award 2018