MP-LIT FEST

Writer Namita Gokhale received

the Sushila Devi Literature Award at the inaugural function of

the first edition of the Bhopal Literature & Art Festival

(BLF) that started here Saturday.

About 70 writers and artists are attending the

festival, being held at the Multi Art Centre of the Bharat

Bhawan here.

Gokhale recieved the award for the `Best Book of

Fiction Written by a Woman Author' for her novel "Things to

Leave Behind".

Union Minister of State for Culture and Tourism K J

Alphons and Madhya Pradesh Culture Minister Dr Vijaylaxmi

Sadho were present on this occasion.

Praising the beauty of Bhopal's Upper Lake, Alphons,

in his speech, said tourist facilities should be developed

around the lake without damaging the water body.

Later, speaking at a panel discussion on `The Path

Ahead: Transformative Ideas for India', Niti Aayog CEO Amitabh

Kant stressed the need to focus on manufacturing products for

the global market.

Comptroller and Auditor General of India Rajiv

Mehrishi and economist Ila Patnaik were also part of the

panel. PTI ADU

KRK KRK