KOLKATA:  Seven litterateurs of Bangladesh and India and one Littlemag have been honored with Oihik Award.

Oihik, kolkata based literary organization, handed the award over to them at Media Centre of Kolkata International Book Fair on Thursday (February 6). 

Bangladeshi awardees were—poet Jewel Mazhar and poet Ashraf Ahmed.

Journalist Jewel Mazhar is the editor of country’s leading online news portal Banglanews24.com.

However, Indian awardees were-- fictional writer Avijit Sen, Sayed Kawsar Jamal, poet Gautam Chowdhury, Amartya Mukhopadhayay and Rahul Purkayastha.

Sheikh Jamal, chief of Sub-Embassy under Bangladesh Sub-High Commission to Kolkata and First Secretary (Media) Dr. Md. Mofakkharul Iqbal were present as the guests.

After receiving the award, Jewel Mazhar verbalized his feeling: “I don’t have the audacity to call myself a poet. I was not supposed to be involved in such a difficult task as poetry. I have been writing trash in the name of poetry for four decades, which have got evaluated by some people. I thank them for that.”

Jewel Mazhar also said: “I don't write poetry for luxury. I don't even write romantic poems like I-you-she. I do not want to surpass predecessors. I just wanted to build my own baboon bird's nest. I wanted to create my own language and character. I don't know how much I have done. "

Jewel Mazhar was born in Kendua upazila of Netrakona in 1962. He was recognized for his books including poetic works - ‘Darjighare Ekrat’ (A Night at the Tailoring Shop) ‘Megasthenes-er Hasi’ and Diwana Zikir (Lunatic Chants - 2013, Shuddhaswar): Translated books ‘Kobitar Transtomar’ and ‘Durer Hawa’.

Journalist Jewel Mazhar is the editor of country’s leading online news portal Banglanews24.com.

On October 26 this year, Jewel Mazhar received Jibananda Poetry Award 2019 for his outstanding creative poetic works.

BDST: 1033 HRS, FEB 06, 2020

AH