Gujarat Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel released the English edition of ‘Finding Gattu’, the autobiography of famous Gujarati writer and Jnanpith Award winner Shri Pannalal Patel at Ahmedabad. The book is an English version of Pannalal Patel’s Gujarati autobiography by Natasha Patel Nema, his granddaughter.
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, writers, artists and art have always been encouraged. While the Prime Minister has given us the mantra “Sauno Sath, Sauno Vikas, Sauno Vishwas, Sauno Prayas” the state government is committed to stand with the people who are trying and ready to come forward and provide them with the platform they need.
Talking about the life of Pannalal Patel, the Chief Minister said that the personality of Pannalal Patel, who won the Jnanpith Award, was truly rare. He congratulated Natasha Patel Nema Author translator for presenting Gujarati autobiography in English with a fresh perspective to bring his glorious personality and life journey to today’s youth.
On the occasion of the release of this book, writer Natasha Patel Nema said that after reading grandfather’s autobiography ‘Jindagi Sanjeevani’, he got the idea to convey the unknown stories of Pannalal Patel’s life in English to today’s young generation and prepared this book. Grandfather’s journey from doing housework to receiving the Jnanpith award is truly inspiring for the youth, she added. Our Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s life was also full of struggle in his childhood and due to his hard work he is today the Prime Minister of the country.
Chairman of Gujarat Sahitya Akademi shri Bhagyesh Jha said that this book depicts the thoughts of the author and the honesty and transparency of shri Pannalal Patel’s life. Author has described the life events of Pannalal Patel, the various characters in his life including his friends and mentors in a unique way.
Talking about the life of Pannalal Patel Shri Jha said that, the matter of common people is described in a prominent perspective . His novels and short stories mold the mind of the reader. Mr. Pannalal Patel’s relationship with Gujarati literary figures like Zaverchand Meghani, Sundaram, Umashankar Joshi and Ra. V. Pathak was very close. These writers were friends and mentors of Shri Pannalal Patel.
Pannalal Patel’s family members Shri Arvindbhai Patel and Shri Manisha Lavkumar and other members, Naroda MLA Dr. Payal Kukrani and literature lovers were present on the occasion.
