Chandigarh, May 31, 2023: : Bank of Baroda (Bank), one of India’s leading public sector banks, announced the list of 12 nominations for the first edition of the “Bank of Baroda Rashtrabhasha Samman” Awards 2023 on 24.05.2023. The Punjabi Novel Baki Safa 5 Par is among the list of 12 novels nominated for the award. The unique award has been instituted to recognize and promote literary works in various Indian languages (included under the 8^th Schedule of the Constitution) as well as to make the best Indian literature available to Hindi readers through translations, thereby broadening the interest and making the novels accessible to a larger set of readers.

"The 'Bank of Baroda Rashtrabhasha Samman' Award will be presented to the author of the original work and the translator of the book into Hindi. The author of the original work and the respective Hindi translator of the award-winning book will receive Rs. 21.00 lakh and Rs. 15.00 lakh respectively. Moreover, the authors and the Hindi translators of the next five shortlisted books will receive Rs. 3.00 lakh and Rs. 2.00 lakh each respectively"Said by Sh Ajay K Khurana, Executive Director, Bank of Baroda.

At the event organised in Chandigarh today, the original author Mr. Roop Singh and the translator Mr. Subhash Neerav participated in a panel discussion with Sh Ajay K Khurana, Executive Director, Bank of Baroda. The writer conversed on the Indian literature landscape and the significance of the Rashtrabhasha Samman award for the literary fraternity across India.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Ajay K Khurana,Bank of Baroda said “Bank of Baroda Rashtrabhasha Samman” is the biggest honor of this kind instituted by any institution in India with a view to promote contributions in the literary field. Under this award, a total of Rs 61 lakh will be given to the best novels written in Indian languages and their Hindi translators.”

About Bank of Baroda

Founded on 20th July, 1908 by Sir Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III, Bank of Baroda is one of the leading commercial banks in India. At 63.97% stake, it is majorly owned by the Government of India. The Bank serves its global customer base of over 150 million through over 46,000 touchpoints spread across 17 countries in five continents.