Saraswati Samman to Naiyer Masud, Iqbal Award to Majeed

Renowned Urdu litterateur Naiyer Masud has been selected for this year’s Saraswati Samman, which is given by KK Birla Foundation, annually to an Indian author in any of the languages of the country.

Masud is one of the greatest Urdu short-story writers and has become a legend in his lifetime. A translation of his short-stories, which was published in English, ‘The essence of camphor’ had stunned the readers across the world.

His works have been translated in umpteen languages from French to Hebrew. Earlier, eminent critic Shamsur Rahman Faruqi, was awarded Saraswati Samman, six years ago for his landmark ‘Sher Shor Angez’. The Saraswati Samman comprises of Rs 5 lakh cash and a citation. The jury that selected the winner was presided over by Chief Justice of India JB Patnaik.

Award to Iqbal Majeed

Another eminent Urdu author, Iqbal Majeed, has been selected for Madhya Pradesh government’s prestigious award ‘Iqbal Samman’ in the field of Urdu literature. Iqbal Majeed has been writing since mid-50s and is considered one of the finest novelists and short-story writers in the sub-continent. The award carries Rs 2 lakh cash.

Indscribe (AnIndianMuslim.com)