In its 15th edition, the prestigious Raymond Crossword Book Award Raymond Crossword Book Award in Partnership with Wizcraft, Kotak and RCity as Associate Sponsors witnessed a spectacular literary event. The exceptional and bestselling literary works of the year 2017 were celebrated at the majestic Royal Opera House – Mumbai.
Raymond Crossword Book Award is the only Literary Award in India for Indian Authors spread across Lifetime Achievement, Fiction, Non-Fiction, Children’s, Translation and Popular Categories. Speaking on the occasion, Maulik Desai, Head Crossword Bookstores said, “For the last 15 years, the Raymond Crossword Book Award has discovered new and exceptional authors and shared a wealth of literary talents to a wider audience.”
Sudha Murty, Padma Shri (2006) and prolific author in both Kannada and English, was conferred the Lifetime Achievement Award for her exemplary contribution to Indian writing in English.
Accepting the Lifetime Achievement Award, veteran author Sudha Murthy said, “I was surprised when I came to know that I’m getting this award. I thought this is their way of telling me to retire,” she said in jest.
“I have been writing for 40 years now, but started writing in English only when i was 56 years old. Independent of Narayana Murthy and the company, the one thing that is my own is my writing.”
Handing over the award to Sudha Murty was world’s leading cardiac surgeon Dr. Ramakanta Panda, Mrs. S Raheja, and Dr. Amit Karkhanis.
Presiding over the function, Dr Ramakanta Panda said, “The pen holds the power of discovery and creation within itself. This evening is an ode to this power and Im glad to be here today.”
Authors Josy Joseph, Radhakrishnan Pillai, Anita Nair, Harshad Marathe, Ravi Subramanian, Ambi Parmeshwaran, Roopa Pai, Shobhaa De, Bhawana Somaaya added gravitas to the evening.
Bollywood was represented by Karan Johar and actor Pooja Chopra.
