And for a Friday as ….Kannada writer Banu Musthtaq wins the International Booker Prize …. some thoughts … some musings……
It is indeed a momentous occasion for all Indians that for the first time a Regional language book of short stories – “Heart Lamp” has won the International Booker Prize …… the Author, a well known writer .. lawyer & activist in Karnataka had compiled 12 stories written by her during 1990 to 2023 … on a very simple theme of girls & women of Muslim Community in Southern India navigating the struggles & strifes of class & castes …….. this award to an author from a small town of Karnataka opens the vistas for many opportunities across the huge tapestry of Indian languages in every state & district …….the folklores & Grandma stories …. Handed down the oral route can all be in written form & translated into multiple languages for a global audience …..
As India becomes the fourth largest Economy ….the stature & recognition of the Indian diaspora settled in different parts of the World rises exponentially too ….. hence I sincerely would encourage all Indians with writing skills to pen their experiences be it as fiction, autobiography or others & covert into books for the coming generations to understand, appreciate & savour the many facets of a changing India ………I truly appreciate some of my friends who have successfully ventured …. Dr. Ratna Magotra … “Whispers of the Heart – Not just a Surgeon “ …… Dr. AS Indulkar “Sleeping with Pesticides“ …. Duttan with a very timely adaptation of Malayalam classic Aithihyamala. translated in English “Tales from Maveli’s land” …….
Let all HNIs & corporates support first time writers ….. let us encourage young writers to use technology &
e-publishing with on line distribution platforms …. Let us celebrate the rich diversity of India the together way ….. the united way ….. the SEEGOS way ….