The Malayalam book Neelalohitham authored by E.K. Sheeba has won the eighth Avaneebala Literary Award. The award, instituted by the Avaneebala Anusmarana Samithi in memory of teacher and research scholar S. Avaneebala, daughter of poet Thirunellur Karunakaran, is given every year for women writers in Malayalam. Carrying a cash prize of Rs.10,000, a trophy and a citation, it will be presented to Ms. Sheeba by Fisheries Minister J. Mercykutty at a function to be held here on August 6 to commemorate the eighth death anniversary of Avaneebala. — Special Correspondent