The Hindu : National : Sahitya Akademi chief withdraws candidature

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Dec 27, 2007
ePaper

National

National

Sahitya Akademi chief withdraws candidature

Special Correspondent

Gopi Chand Narang says decision taken to maintain best conventions of the Akademi

NEW DELHI: The outgoing Sahitya Akademi president, Gopi Chand Narang, on Wednesday withdrew his candidature from the race for a second term. He announced his decision at the meeting of the General Council on Wednesday morning.

With Prof. Narang pulling out, three candidates have been left in the fray: Malayalam writer M.T. Vasudevan Nair, outgoing Akademi vice-president Sunil Gangopadhyay and Sanskrit writer Satyavrat Shastri.

The election is scheduled to be held on February 20, and the final shortlist of three was cleared by the Executive Board of the Akademi which met after the General Council.

Announcing his decision, Prof. Narang said he had decided not to seek a second term as president to maintain “the best conventions of Sahitya Akademi.” Insiders claimed that he had come under immense pressure — from within the writers fraternity and the government — over the past couple of days to withdraw.

As Prof. Narang dug his heels in for a contest, writers from 12 languages had sought the Culture Ministry’s intervention; citing long-established convention of a change of guard every five years.

Representations were sent to President Pratibha Patil and United Progressive Alliance chairperson Sonia Gandhi .

Awards finalised

Meanwhile, the Executive Board also finalised the Sahitya Akademi awards for 2007.

Seven novels, six poetry collections, three books each of short stories and plays, two books dealing with criticism, one biography and one autobiography are among the awards, which will be given away on February 20.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National