Moscow, Russia: A Pakistani Dr Najam Sahar Butt (Наджам Сахар Бат) from Lahore got highest civil award of Russia in the field of literature. Dr. Najam is first Pakistani to get this award.
The Medal of Pushkin (Russian: медаль Пушкина) is a state decoration of the Russian Federation awarded to its citizens for achievements in the arts and culture, education, humanities and literature. It is named in honour of Russian author and poet Alexander Sergeyevich Pushkin.
Dr Najam Sahar Butt who got his degree in medicine from former Soviet Union recently translated several books of Russian literature into Urdu including the biography of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov presented the Pushkin Medal to him along with three other foreign citizens. Laureates were the subjects of Lithuania, Pakistan, Vietnam and Hungary. The award is presented for merits in strengthening friendship between peoples.
The award was granted on November 4 which is “Day of National Unity” for Russia.
Dr Najam Sahar Butt is son of veteran Pakistani journalist Badrul Islam Butt.
While awarding four foreign citizens, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said:
“In today’s world, very important are the contacts between people, the ability of all of us to abstract from idealized approaches. This is not always the result of official figures, so we very much appreciate the people’s diplomacy and the contribution of those who, like you, are working to develop our friendly relations”.
The award ceremony took place in the central building of the Russian Foreign Ministry on Smolenskaya Square.
“We are very pleased that today, on the day of our state holiday – the Day of National Unity – we have the opportunity to award Pushkin medals to people who devoted a large part of their lives to promoting friendship between our peoples, promoting the Russian language and Russian culture and helping the mutual enrichment of societies that you represent, “the minister added.
While giving award to Dr Butt, Russian Foreign Minister said:
“Mr. Najam Sahar Bat, a man who, apart from his basic, very noble profession, has a huge contribution, provides high-quality translations of our classics, including Gogol, Dostoyevsky, Bulgakov. We really appreciate the fact that you founded an association of graduates of Russian and Soviet universities in Pakistan”.
The state award – Pushkin Medal – was established in 1999. It is awarded to citizens of the Russian Federation and foreigners for merits in the field of culture, art, education and the humanities.
