PANAJI: The Speaker of Lok Sabha, Ms Meira Kumar on Saturday presented the prestigious 42nd Jnanpith Award to eminent Konkani litterateur Ravindra Kelekar at Kala Academy in the presence of the Chief Minister, Mr Digambar Kamat and other dignitaries.

The highest literary award in the country was presented to the 85-year-old legend for the year 2006.

Speaking as the chief guest on the occasion, Ms Meira Kumar said that writers must not confine their writings to reflecting the society but also pave a way and direct the society towards progress.

Referring to Kelekar’s viewpoints on ‘bonsai’ that tremendous use of the English language has created bonsai writers and intellectuals, Ms Meira Kumar said she used to love ‘bonsai plants’ but has now changed her view on bonsai that restricted the natural growth.

"I feel I am really honoured by honouring a veteran writer like Kelekar," she said and added that Kelekar’s writings reflect culture, principles of non-violence and Buddha’s teachings.

She said that India is a country of various languages and thus it is very important to inculcate the reading habit among our children. There is a need to preserve and enrich our languages and literature, she said. She also spoke a few lines in Konkani to showcase her love towards the language.

The Lok Sabha Speaker said our country requires a renaissance like France. Speaking about the plight of Indian writers, she said that July 31 is the birth anniversary of a great writer Munshi Premchand "but now no one remembers him and his home is in shambles. But when I visited Europe I realised that there people actually worship writers and consider their homes as pilgrim centres."