Bhojpur: Identity Literature Award-2078 was jointly presented  to Shyam Sah and Ananta Wagley amid a function in Temke Maiyung Rural Municipality of Bhojpur.

The award carrying a purse of Rs. 402,000 managed by Identity Literature Award Fund is presented every year to the writers and poets for their outstanding contribution to the identity movement through literature. Wagley was awarded for his debut novel 'Kadam' and Sah for his second anthology of short stories 'Pather'.  'Kadam' centres on lifestyle and struggle of the Raute community while 'Pather' focuses on the lifestyle and ups and downs of Madhesi people.

'The two works were selected for the award out of short listed five books,” chief of Identity Literature Award Fund Kangmang Naresh Rai said.

According to him, identity movement is not to insult culture of other castes but to respect every one. 'The two books do the same,' he said. Respecting the religion and culture of both awarded authors, the programme was inaugurated by chanting a Vedic mantra by a Brahmin priest.

Senior author Khagendra Sangraula handed over the certificate and the award to Sah and Wagley. Sangraula said that the awarded authors have now more liability to contribute to the identity movement.

Authors Rajan Mukarung, Gurung Sushant, Munaraj Sherma, Kabita Rai, Shankardev Rai, Dhruba Raj Rai, Pabihang Rai and others expressed their views on the awarded books. (TRN)