Balkrishna Naipaul captures ICC award

TIMES INT'L
Balkrishna Naipaul shares a moment with fellow novelist Lakshmi Persaud at the ICC event.

Internationally acclaimed award-winning Trinidad-born novelist Balkrishna Naipaul, was recently inducted into the Indo-Caribbean list of awardees at an enthusiastic gathering in New York which also saw the launch of Dr. Lakshmi Persaud’s latest book, Daughters of Empire.
Part of the induction was the award of a plaque that read, “The Indo-Caribbean Council (ICC-NY) in fulfilling its mission to recognise Indo-Caribbeans and to serve others with this award and plaque on the 26th day of May 2012 do herewith recognise, record, and honour the accomplished and prolific abilities and literary contributions of Balkrishna M. Naipaul, Indo-Caribbean novelist, who explored and  highlighted various themes of the collective experience of Indo-Caribbeans and whose several novels serve as literary beacons as they contribute to the Indo-Caribbean body politic and Indo-Caribbean identity.”
In accepting the ICC award, Mr. Balkrishna Naipaul said, “To be recognised and be honoured among one’s peers amidst the community from which one hails is perhaps the highest honour that can be bestowed, especially on an artist or a writer. After all, we take our inspiration from the community, which is deeply embedded on the seat of consciousness; and in this recognition one is reminded of who we are, where we come from and whence we are going. I cannot fail to say that once this recognition is struck, from both sides of the divide, we as artists or writers, are propelled to do the best of our abilities, without thinking of rewards or the fruits of our action; instead we are directed by the highest good to live and work by engaging in the noblest of thoughts while laying bare our entire lives to be examined by the highest of authority, which is the community.”
Other awardees at the ICC event were, Dr. Lakshmi Persaud who was recognised for her writing from a woman’s point of view as it explores Indo-Caribbean search for identity; Gora Singh who was posthumously recognised for his pioneering spirit in Indian Classical dance; and Kaar Dyal as a foremost sculptor and painter. Among the list of previous ICC awardees were, former Prime Minister Basdeo Panday and Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar.

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