Indian literary award goes to Urdu author

One of India's most prestigious literary awards, the Gyanpith, has been won by the Urdu-language author, Sardar Ali Jafri.

Correspondents say Mr Jafri, whose first collection of stories was published in 1938, is known for using the written word as a weapon in the fight for social justice.

His works include Parwaz, Khoon Ki Lakir and Lahu Pukarta Hai.

The Gyanpith award carries with it a prize of two-hundred-and-fifty thousand rupees about six thousand dollars.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service