Rushdie’s arrival hangs in suspense

New Delhi, April 6: Celebrated India born author Salman Rushdie's arrival here to receive the prestigious Commonwealth Regional Award was ...

New Delhi, April 6: Celebrated India born author Salman Rushdie’s arrival here to receive the prestigious Commonwealth Regional Award was still in suspense with the writer not yet confirming his visit.

A galaxy of noted writers including Rushdie, CanadianShauna Singh Baldwin, South African J M Coatzee and Delhiite Raj Kamal Jha would be among the recipients of the prestigious Commonwealth Regional Prizes to be given at a solemn function on April 14 here.

"While some of the prize winning authors have confirmedtheir arrival, there was no confirmation from Rushdie," the Chairman of the Organising Committee Pavan K Varma, the author-diplomat, told reporters here.

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"Rushdie has a visa. He can come here and he has beeninvited. If he comes he will be provided with adequate security," Varma, who is also the Joint Secretary (Africa) in the Ministry of External Affairs, said.

India is hosting the gala prize distribution event forthe first time since the prize was instituted in 1987. The overall Commonwealth Writers Prize for the Best Book and the Best First Book 2000 will be selected from among the regional winners by a panel headed by noted writer Shashi Deshpande.

Other recipients of the regional awards include LilyBret (Australia), Funso Aiyejina (Nigeria), Jeffrey Moore (Canada) and Kapka Kassabova (New Zealand), Varma said.

External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh will give awaythe prizes while Nayantara Sehgal, the first Indian to bag the Commonwealth Prize, would be the guest of honour.

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