Guwahati, July 16: The Centre has appointed Sahitya Akademi Award-winning writer Rita Chowdhury as the director of the National Book Trust (NBT).

"The ministry of human resource development yeste-rday cleared Chowdhury's name as the next director of the NBT. The post fell vacant after M.A. Sikandar retired in August last year," a source told The Telegraph today.

The 50-plus noted novelist and poet is currently working as a professor of political science in Cotton College.

"It is a great responsibility for me. I will not say much at this moment. Let me first join the NBT," Chowdhury told The Telegraph.

Chowdhury has so far penned over a dozen novels with Makam (The golden horse) which triggered reactions in literary circles as it exposed the buried history of Chinese-origin people living in Upper Assam.

Abirata Jatra (Relentless journey), Tirthabhumi (Pilgrimage), Maha Jibonor Adharxila (Foundation of a great life), Nayana Tarali Sujata, Popiya Torar Xadhu (Tale of a meteor), Raag Malkosh, Jala Padma (Water lotus), Hridoy Nirupai (The heart is helpless) and Deo Langkhui (The divine sword) are her other novels.

The NBT was established in 1957 with an aim to produce and encourage quality literature in English, Hindi and other languages. Apart from making such books available at moderate prices, the trust also organises book fairs and exhibitions. It also takes part in fairs across the globe.