From correspondents in Tripura, India, 05:30 PM IST

Tripura Information and Cultural Affairs Minister Anil Sarkar was conferred a literary award Sunday for his outstanding contribution to the state's literature and culture.

The 70-year-old politician, who is also a writer and poet, received the 'Bhasa Sahitya Sanman 2008' award at a function here. Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar gave away the award consisting of Rs.15,000, a citation and a memento.

The award function was attended by writers and poets from Bangladesh and other northeastern states.

'Anil Sarkar is a pioneer in spearheading the literary and cultural movement not only in Tripura but also in the northeast,' said Kalyanbrata Chakraborty, president of Bhasa Trust, a literary publication house.

Sarkar is the recipient of a number of awards from West Bengal and northeastern states, besides the B.R. Ambedkar national award for his literary contributions.

He has been elected to the Tripura assembly for a record seven consecutive times since 1972.

Sarkar has over 60 novels, poetry collections and story books to his credit.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)