Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday received the Bangla Academy Award for her "relentless literary pursuit". The award, introduced this year by Sahitya Academy, was presented to Banerjee for her book "Kabita Bitan", which pays tribute to the best writers of West Bengal.
Banerjee was given the award at the "Ravi Pranam" function organised by the government's information and culture department on the occasion of Rabindranath Tagore's birth anniversary.
Despite being on the stage, Mamata Banerjee did not accept the award on her own and it was received by state Education Minister Bratya Basu on her behalf. Bratya Basu said Mamata Banerjee's name was chosen for the award by a panel of some of the best writers of Bengal.
Speaking from the stage, Education Minister and President of Bangla Academy, Bratya Basu said, “Bangla Academy has decided to reward those who are working tirelessly for the betterment of literature as well as other sectors of the society.” In the first year, it has been decided to give this award to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for her opinion on the best writer of Bengal. The award is being given for his literary achievements in general keeping in mind his book of poems ‘Kavita Bittan’.
The award will be given to those who constantly pursue literature even after working tirelessly in various other fields.
Mamata Banerjee's 'Kabita Bitan' was launched at the 2020 Kolkata Book Fair. The book contains 946 poems written by the TMC supremo.