Booker Prize winner Banu Mushtaq responds to opposition over Dasara inauguration
Hassan: Writer and Booker Prize winner Banu Mushtaq has reacted to the criticism that emerged after her name was announced for inaugurating this year’s Mysuru Dasara festivities.
Speaking to the media at her residence, she said, “I don’t wish to speak much on this matter. The love and affection shown by crores of Kannadigas is more than enough. There is no need to respond to the negativity of one or two people. Politicians must take responsibility for what should be politicised and what should not.”
She reminded that the Booker Prize is not something that comes easily and should not be belittled. “I have introduced Kannada to an international stage. People there are amazed when they read even a single page in Kannada. After achieving so much, nobody has the right to throw mud at me,” she stated.
On her bond with the language, she said, “I don’t treat Kannada as a deity, I use it as the language of life. I made all my three daughters study in Kannada medium schools. My connection with Kannada is unquestionable.”
Responding to the criticism, she added, “Some people have twisted what I had said during the 2023 Janasahitya Sammelana. I have always raised my voice for minorities, women, and Dalits. That is now being used against me. But who has loved Kannada as much as I have? Who has taken it to the international stage the way I did?”
“My achievements themselves are proof. Kannada will never abandon those who truly believe in it,” she concluded.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Several fall ill after consuming 'kuttu' flour on Mahashivratri in Noida; FIR against shop owner
Noida (PTI): An FIR has been lodged against a shop owner after several people allegedly fell ill after consuming 'kuttu' (buckwheat) flour on the occasion of Mahashivratri in Noida, police said on Tuesday.
The incident came to light after multiple residents of Supertech Ecovillage-3, Royal Court Society and Himalaya Pride Society reported health complications on Sunday after consuming the flour, traditionally eaten during fasts.
According to the police, information was received on Monday from a private hospital within the Bisrakh police station jurisdiction regarding several residents from the three housing societies falling ill.
The police informed the Food Safety Department, following which a complaint was filed and an FIR registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
ALSO READ: Mohali schools receive bomb threat emails, Fortis Hospital also mentioned
A joint team of the Food Department and Bisrakh police conducted inspections at shops located in Supertech Ecovillage-3, Royal Court Society and Himalaya Pride Society and collected samples of buckwheat flour from the outlets.
During the inspection, irregularities were found at Prashant General Store in Royal Court Society, which was subsequently sealed, officials said.
Preliminary inquiry revealed that the affected residents had purchased the buckwheat flour supplied by HD Spices in the Chipiyana village, with its warehouse located in Chipiyana Buzurg.
Acting on the information, the Food Department team inspected the warehouse and sealed it after detecting irregularities. Samples have also been collected from other shops and further action is being taken, officials said.
The police have detained four persons, including the warehouse owner, they added.
