National Book Trust chief quits, says he got 'hint' from central govt to go

Kochi: Veteran Malayalam fictional writer A Sethumadhavan has resigned as Chairman of National Book Trust claiming that he got a signal from the Centre to quit. “My tenure was supposed to end on September 12. I would say it is a hint… It is not asking bluntly. Three days ago, I got a signal that they (the government) wish to bring someone close to them to the post. “That was more than enough for me to send my resignation. I immediately sent my resignation. Today they accepted my resignation and informed me that they have appointed a new person (as chairman of NBT),” Sethumadhavan, who is known as Sethu in Malayalam literary world, told PTI. [caption id=“attachment_2132517” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Sethumadhavan (right) with HRD minister Smriti Irani in a file photo. PIB image[/caption] He, however, refused to give details of the new chairman of the NBT, saying government would make the announcement in this regard. Sethumadhavan, who was appointed as chairman of the NBT on 6 September, 2012 by the UPA government, said the present dispensation had never interfered in the affairs of NBT during his tenure. 73-year-old Sethu, whose literary career spanning over four and half decades, wrote over 17 novels and 20 collections of short stories. Many of his works have been translated into English and other languages. Sethu has been honoured with many awards including the Central Sahitya Akademi Award, Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award and the prestigious Vayalar award. National Book Trust was established in 1957 under the then Ministry of Education by then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru with the objective of promoting a culture of reading in the society by publishing good literature at affordable price in all major Indian languages. To achieve its objectives, the Trust is publishing good quality books at reasonable price, organising book fairs and exhibitions in all parts of the country to provide an opportunity for interaction among authors, publishers, librarians and book lovers. PTI