By Our Staff Reporter
MUSSOORIE, 17 May: Ruskin Bond, India’s most loved author will not celebrate his birthday this year, owing to the Pahalgam tragedy and as a mark of respect for Operation Sindoor. He will neither step out of his cottage nor take part in any celebrations. Ruskin Bond released a statement from Ivy Cottage on the occasion –“I thank all my readers. For various reasons, I won’t have a public celebration this year. Due to the tragedy in Kashmir, followed by an unpleasant conflict. However, I look forward to meeting my readers in June.” Bond who turns 91 on Monday has advised his readers to read his books and celebrate his birthday. For over sixty years, for numerous readers of all ages, in big cities, small towns and little hamlets – Ruskin Bond has been the best kind of companion. He has entertained, charmed and occasionally spooked us with his books and stories, and opened our eyes to the beauty of the natural world and everyday life. He has made us smile when our spirits are low, and steadied us when we’ve stumbled. If there’s one name that is synonymous with children’s literature in India, it’s Ruskin Bond. A shy person, Ruskin says he likes being a writer because, ‘When I’m writing, there’s nobody watching me. Today, it’s hard to find a profession where you’re not being watched!’ A birthday edition of “While the birds still sing: A life in Nature” Bond’s favourite book will be launched at Natraj Bookshop on Monday. The book brings together the best of Bond’s writings and is beautifully illustrated by Prenita Dutt.
Ruskin Bond was awarded the Padma Shri by the Government of India in 1999, a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Delhi government in 2012, and the Padma Bhushan in 2014. He was selected for the prestigious Sahitya Akademi Fellowship in 2021.
