Booker Prize winners Banu Mushtaq, Deepa Bhasthi felicitated by state govt at Vidhana Soudha

BENGALURU: International Booker Prize winner Banu Mushtaq and translator Deepa Bhasthi were on Monday felicitated by the state government at the Banquet Hall of the Vidhana Soudha in recognition of the achievement. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also announced a cash award of Rs 10 lakh each for the writer and the translator.

Speaking on the occasion, the CM said literature has the power to build society and it should unite people, not divide them. “Banu Mushtaq has taken Kannada language to a higher level with the Booker Prize and it is a matter of pride for all Kannadigas”, he said. He also said the government will provide aid for translation of her stories to English.

The CM said, “Banu Mushtaq’s works draw strength from her experience as a journalist, writer, lawyer and activist. The Rajyotsava award and other laurels are a testimony to the societal concerns which are visible in her works. She opposed blind beliefs and became a voice of Muslim women and has sent a message of humanity through her works”.

Speaking on the occasion, writer Banu Mushtaq said she was happy to win the award during the golden jubilee year of the state’s formation. “Winning the Booker Prize was a dream for me. The honour bestowed by the government for someone who was roaming the streets of mohallas in Hassan is huge. There is strength in our land and culture and Kannada is a living language”, she said.

She dedicated the award to her parents and all those who stood by her. “Let us all write, read and dream. This is just the beginning and let us take our culture to the world”, she said, while adding that the government should increase grants for translators and provide better facilities.

Banu Mushtaq and Deepa Bhasthi were presented with Mysuru peta and shawls. Kannada and Culture Minister Shivaraj Tangadagi, Waqf Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan, Council Chairman Basavaraj Horatti, MLA Rizwan Arshad and others were present on the occasion.