Bank of Baroda, one of India’s leading public sector banks, announced the nominations for the inaugural edition of the Bank of Baroda Rashtrabhasha Samman Awards 2023 on May 24. The award aims to acknowledge and promote literary works in various Indian languages listed under the 8th Schedule of the Constitution, while also making these novels accessible to Hindi readers through translations.
Among the list of 12 novels nominated for the prestigious award are Mahanadi by Anita Agnihotri and Ghar Palano Chhele by Manoranjan Byapari, two Bengali language novels. Agnihotri’s Mahanadi portrays the deep connection between a river and the people living along its banks. It explores the cultural, historical, and ecological significance of the river in India. Apart from Hindi, Mahanadi has also been translated into English and Odia.
Byapari’s Ghar Palano Chhele delves into the life and experiences of a marginalised young boy in contemporary society. It explores themes of social inequality, discrimination, and the struggle for identity and acceptance.
Joydeep Dutta, executive director of Bank of Baroda, underscored the importance of translations and the aim of the Bank of Baroda Rashtrabhasha Samman Award. He said: “The Bank of Baroda Rashtrabhasha Samman Awards 2023 signify the bank’s dedication to supporting and promoting the literary arts. By providing a significant platform and recognition for Indian language novels, Bank of Baroda aims to contribute to the growth and preservation of the rich cultural heritage and diversity of India.”
A panel discussion with the moderator and the panellists (r-l) Anita Agnihotri, Joydeep Dutta, Manoranjan Byapari and Lipika Saha was also held.
The awards jury, chaired by Booker Prize-winning author Geetanjali Shree, includes Hindi port Arun Kamal, historian and food critic Pushpesh Pant, contemporary Indian poet Anamika and Hindi novelist Prabhat Ranjan as members. They reviewed numerous entries written in different Indian languages before selecting the 12 books for the long list.
While the author of the original work will receive a cash prize of Rs 21 lakhs, the respective Hindi translator will be awarded Rs 15 lakhs. Additionally, the authors and translators of the next five shortlisted books will receive Rs 3 lakhs and Rs 2 lakhs each, respectively. The winner of the Bank of Baroda Rashtrabhasha Samman Awards will be announced in mid-June 2023 in Delhi.