Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday announced that Booker Prize-winning writer and activist Banu Mushtaq will inaugurate this year’s world-famous Dussehra festivities in Mysuru.

Speaking at Vidhana Soudha, the Chief Minister said, “Banu Mushtaq, a writer from Hassan in Karnataka, will inaugurate the world-famous Dussehra Mahotsav this year. The celebrations will begin on September 22, and Vijaya Dashami will be observed on the 11th day, October 2.”

He added, “Banu Mushtaq’s literary work 'Hrudaya Deepa' won the Booker Prize. It is a matter of pride and joy that a woman writer from Karnataka has received this honour. She was associated with farmers’ organisations, Kannada agitations, and progressive movements. Significantly, a woman has been invited to inaugurate Dasara.”

The Chief Minister further stated, “I have personally spoken to her. The Dussehra festivities will commence on September 22 and continue for 11 days in accordance with tradition. Our district administration will extend a formal Invitation to Banu Mushtaq with full honours.”

 

 

 

 

IANS inputs