Asylum in UK? I don't want, I will live in India: International Booker Prize winner Banu Mushtaq
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Bengaluru: International Booker Prize winner Banu Mushtaq Wednesday declared: "I'm doing good in India, I will stay in India, and I do not have any necessity to knock on the doors of London (for seeking asylum).
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During an event organised by Karnataka Union of Working Journalists on her return to India, the Hassan-based writer recalled answering a googly during a London book-promotion event when a woman asked her whether she was planning to seek asylum in the United Kingdom "because of unrest" in India.
The woman ventured to make an offer of "facilitating asylum" for the Kannada writer. However, Banu's answer was simple, candid and honest: "I said I do not want (it), and we will continue to live in India. Who told you (about the unrest)?"
The writer said, "London is a cultural capital, a lot of people have gone to stay there.
Several writers have made London their home, producing great literary work." She said she's amazed by the culture of English book readership and added, "If I calculate, the English publisher (of Heart Lamp) has made Rs 6 crore business (so far)."
Banu said she was completely unaware of the Booker prize or its import until her publisher applied for it. "Around 8pm on a particular day, I received a call from the publisher we were 'longlisted'.
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I didn't know what it meant. Then my children explained its significance to me. The next morning when I was getting ready to go to court, journalists descended (on my house) and I wondered why. I did not know the sort of satisfactory reaction I should give," she said.
Over the days, her book was shortlisted. When she was alone at home, she secretly wrote an acceptance speech four days before the event. "I mentally decided I should get the award though my publisher told me not to have many hopes since it's a short-story collection.
I wondered why and confirmed to myself I would get it 500%," Banu added.
She recalled the ordeal of losing her medicines, suitcase while she was travelling to London. Her daughter, who lives in Bahrain, brought a sari while coming to London. "The wish of wearing a Mysuru silk sari for the Booker reception remains unfulfilled. To use the saris, let's try to win another Booker," she said to cheers from the audience.
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