Poet Asim, writer Wasi win IFIC Bank Literary Award

IFIC Bank has awarded poet Asim Saha and writer Wasi Ahmed with the bank's Literary Award 2015.

The bank also bestowed the lifetime award on Bishwo Shahitto Kendro founder Chairman Prof Abdullah Abu Sayeed in recognition of his social activism and literary involvement, to mark the bank's 40 years.

While Saha bagged the award for his book "Mo-Borner Sonhito Mukut", it was "Tolkuthurir Gaan" that won Wasi the award.

Speaking as chief guest at the function on Thursday, Finance Minister AMA Muhith said, "There should have been two events here today. One for the highest literary award in terms of money and the other with the human-maker Abdullah Abu Sayeed."

He remembered that it was through Bishwo Shahitto Kendro that Muhith first came in contact with Prof Sayeed 39 years ago.

During his acceptance speech, Abu Sayeed, who received a sum of Tk 4 million as part of the honour, said the prize money for the Bangla Academy award he had received was Tk 40,000.

He said although a writer does not write for money, it can support a writer because everyone may not be financially well-off, he observed. 

Wasi said the success for a writer is when his work is read. He said the motivation for award does not drive a writer.