Khushwant Singh to get 'Punjab Rattan Award'

New Delhi, Aug 28: Punjab government will bestow its 'Punjab Rattan Award' on writer Khushwant Singh at a ceremony here on Thursday.

State Chief Minister Capt. Amarinder Singh will present the award to Khushwant Singh, who is honoured for his contribution to the field of literature.

Describing Khushwant Singh as the ''sub-continent's most prolific writer, historian, critic and columnist'', the state government said he has become a legend and icon in his lifetime.

According to state government officials here, about 20 Pakistani intellectuals are expected to attend the award ceremony.

The Punjab government instituted the award to felicitate personalities whose eminence in the field of art, literature, culture, transcends national boundaries and frontiers.

Capt. Amarinder Singh will present an exquisitely crafted silver memento to Khushwant Singh.

The 91-year-old author recently celebrated 50 years of publication of his best-selling book 'A Train to Pakistan'.

Born in Sargodha district (now in Pakistan) in undivided Punjab in 1915, Khushwant Singh has authored over 80 books, among them 'A History of the Sikhs' and 'Fall of Sikh Kingdom'.

He received the Padma Bhushan in 1974 and became a member of the Rajya Sabha in 1980.

UNI