Three women writers - Sanjida Khatun, Selina Hossain and Swaralipi - won ‘BRAC Bank-Samakal Shahitya Puroshkar 2018’.
Sanjida Khatun won the award for her book ‘Nazrul Manash’ in the essay, autobiography, travel story; Selina Hossain won the award for her book ‘Sateye Marcher Bikel’ in poetry and novel category, and translation category, and Swaralipi for her book ‘Mrittur Poragayon’ in ‘Humayun Ahmed Young Writer’ category.
BRAC Bank and Daily Samakal launched the literary award in 2011 to inspire writers and litterateurs to further enriching Bangla literature with their creative works. Later Young Writer’s Award was dedicated in memory of late legendary novelist Humayun Ahmed.
The award was announced at a programme at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in Dhaka on Friday. National Professor Dr Anisuzzaman was the chief guest. CEO of BRAC Bank Limited Selim R F Hussain, literary personalities and social elites of the country attended the award programme.
Winners in the essay, autobiography, travel story and translation and poetry and novel category each received Tk 2 lakh as the prize money and of ‘Humayun Ahmed Young Writer’ Tk 1 lakh.
The winners also received the crest and citation. Family member of Sanjida Khatun received the award on her behalf. The three winning books were selected from books published in the year 2018.
A total of 487 books were submitted this year for the three categories. A panel of jury comprising Hasan Azizul Haque, Helal Hafiz, Syed Manzoorul Islam and Anwara Syed Haq selected the winning books.
On the award, Managing Director and CEO of BRAC Bank Limited Selim R F Hussain said: “Since its inception the literary award has generated huge enthusiasm in the literary community of Bangladesh and established its place in the cultural arena of the country.”
BRAC Bank will work together to make this award the most prestigious and coveted literary award in Bangladesh. Winning of the award will be of a thing of great pride for writers and litterateurs.
