NT Staff Reporter

Panaji, Feb 22: Veteran Konkani writer, Ravindra Kelekar has been conferred upon the most prestigious fellowship of the Sahitya Akademi. Kelekar is the first Goan and Konkani writer to receive the most prestigious honour in the literary field.

Along with him, Anita Desai, noted English writer from Bangalore and Kartar Singh Duggal, eminent Punjabi writer, have also been conferred with the Fellowship of the Akademi.

This honour is reserved for ‘the immortals of literature’ and limited to twenty one living legends only at any given time. The decision to honour these three eminent writers was taken at the general council meeting of the Sahitya Akademi in New Delhi this afternoon.

Separate functions to honour these fellowships to each individual would be organized by the Sahitya Akademi.

The Kala Academy expressed great happiness over the highest honour conferred by the Sahitya Akademi on Kelekar.

Chief Minister and Kala Academy chairman Pratapsingh Rane has extended his greetings to Kelekar.