Jnanpith for Ravuri a matter of pride for Telugus : CM

Kiran hands over Rs 12 lakh cash award for the writer

Hyderabad: Jnanpith award winner Dr Ravuri Bharadwaja was honoured by the State government at a function in Ravindra Bharati on Thursday. Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy felicitated the well-known writer by offering a shawl and a memento. He handed over a cash award of Rs 10 lakh to Dr Bharadwaja on behalf of the government, besides Rs 2 lakh on behalf of the Department of Culture and the AP State Official Language Commission.

Addressing the gathering, he said holding of the function by the government to honour the eminent writer should inspire others, particularly youth to emulate his lifestyle and writings. A Kiran Kumar Reddy stated that it was a matter of pride for the Telugus that Dr Bharadwaja was the third person from the State to get the prestigious honour of Jnanpith. Replying to the felicitations, Dr Bharadwaja said that the high amount announced by the Chief Minister came as a surprise to him. He was merely hoping to receive a shawl and a memento besides some cash, he added.

Minister for Culture Vatti Vasanth Kumar, Jnanpith awardee Dr C Narayan Reddy and Nannapaneni Rajakumari, Telugu Desam MLC were among the VIPs who attended the function. A The State government has already announced a cash award of Rs 2 lakh to Dr Bharadwaja. It may be recalled that there was criticism of the government in literary circles that the award was inadequate, considering the writer's valuable contributions.