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Booker Prize winner Banu Mushtaq feted in Shivamogga
Leaders of various progressive organisations, activists, elected representatives and officers of Hassan joined hands together here on Monday to felicitate writer and advocate Banu Mushtaq, who recently won the International Booker Prize for her collection of stories, translated into English, Heart Lamp.
Baragur Ramachandrappa said the International Booker Prize was an honour to the Kannada's intellect. 'Ms. Mushtaq wrote stories in Kannada, and Deepa Bhasthi translated them into English. Both writers deserve appreciation,' he said.
The district enjoys the distinction of contributing the first Kannada inscription found at Halmidi village in Belur taluk and the first International Booker Prize for Kannada.
'Ms. Musthaq wrote stories that she picked from the world around her. The prize she won is recognition of her involvement in struggles for the emancipation of the working class, women, Dalits, and all downtrodden sections. She has been actively involved in the Bandaya movement in the State', he said.
Ms. Musthaq said that India is known for diversity, and it was the duty of every individual to uphold this (diversity). 'Literature is one of the forces that celebrates diversity and, with that, it keeps the country united,' she said.
The prize, she said, was not only for her contribution to literature. 'I have participated in the protests and struggles for social justice and equality. My writing is not separated from my these activities. I consider this prize as a recognition of all such activities,' Ms. Mushtaq said.
H.S. Anupama, writer, spoke about the contributions of Ms. Mushtaq. Lok Sabha member Shreyas M. Patel, MLA Swaroop Prakash, Deputy Commissioner C. Sathyabhama, Superintendent of Police Mohammed Sujeetha, Dharmesh of CPM, Kannada Sahitya Parishat district president H.L. Mallesh Gowda, and others were present.
Earlier, the writer was taken to the programme venue at Hasanamba Kalakshetra in a procession from the Deputy Commissioner's office.
