The South-Asian Diaspora’s success, achieved against all adversities, has made substantial contributions to society and business. However, quietly running thread of cultural contribution, especially literature, has mainly gone unnoticed. Many of our writers and poets have been handcuffed by the apathy, sadly from the diaspora itself. The Word Masala Foundation, a charitable work started by me, and enthusiastically supported by Lord Parekh and Lord Dholakia, has been working tirelessly to improve conditions for these authors. Hence, with the help of Lord Parekh, to celebrate the talents we have recognized, we are hosting - an invitation only - award ceremony and poetry reading at the House of Lords on the 22nd June 2016. At the same time, we are also honouring the publishers who have made commitments to support the diaspora poets. The ethos at the Word Masala Foundation is
गुणाः पूजास्थानं
Good qualities are appreciated in whomsoever they are found.
Uttararaamacharitam (Bhavabhuti)
Since it began its journey, Gujarat Samachar has always been at the forefront of recognizing poets and poetry, hence my close friendship with C B Patel, who has been active with the same above preamble recognizing a variety of causes, talents and contributors. I am privileged to have received the only reader’s trophy as a poet from New Life (Asian Voice in its previous life) and Gujarat Samachar after my long-running column on poetry. So when he invited me to shape up a programme with the ABPL Group anchoring our common vision in recognizing and encouraging the diaspora poetry and literature output in English and other minority languages, I agreed straightaway. We will do this with columns, competitions, and above all, your support.
I welcome you to let me know your views at [email protected]. Do tell us how you can support us in this at Asian Voice. In return, you will also receive our eSkylark e-zine, which will give you details about free completions, new markets, magazines to submit your work to, new books out, events, and a poem by our new award-winner. Above all, together we hope to make a discovery of new writers and poets through Asian Voice.
Word Masala Award-Winning Poets 2015-2016, 22nd June 2016 6.30 pm to 8.30 pm, Committee Room 4A, St Stephen’s Hall, House of Lords, London SW1A 0PW
RSVP: Yogesh Patel [email protected]
