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.
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.
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