Returning award would be ingratitude on my part, says Sahitya Academy Awardee Ruskin Bond

New Delhi: Noted writer and children's most lovable author Ruskin Bond recently shared his views on intolerance row, stating such incidents were always there, but today media has become so powerful that it is highlighting them.

In an interview to The Times of India, Bond, who is also a Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan, said he is fond of his awards and giving them back would be ingratitude on his part. 

“The awards didn’t come easily to me. I got the Sahitya Akademi Award in 93-94. I was broke then – it helped me,” Bond was quoted as saying by TOI.

Speaking on the intolerance row, Bond said, “We're living in the age of worldwide intolerance. One form of intolerance produces another. In America, Donald Trumps' 'Muslim Ban' remark was in retaliation to terrorist attack somewhere.

In India, incidents of intolerance were always there, but today media has become powerful. Earlier, the incidents which got hushed up or died down are now reaching masses through media. So, everyone is aware of what's happening. Of course, returning awards is others' business. I can't judge them.”