Raipur
Renowned Hindi poet, novelist and Jnanpith Award recipient Vinod Kumar Shukla was cremated with full state honours at the Marwari Mukti Dham in Raipur on Wednesday afternoon. The 89-year-old Jnanpith awardee passed away on Tuesday evening at AIIMS Raipur following a prolonged illness.
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai visited the residence of the late author in Shailendra Nagar to pay his last respects. In a gesture of high regard, the Chief Minister shouldered the mortal remains during the funeral procession. His son, Shashwat Shukla, performed the last rites and lit the funeral pyre.
The final journey was attended by several dignitaries, including noted poet Dr Kumar Vishwas, senior officials, and members of the literary community. A police contingent provided a guard of honour to the departed litterateur before the cremation.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the demise of the veteran writer. In a statement, the Prime Minister noted that Vinod Kumar Shukla would be remembered for his contribution to Hindi literature and his unique narrative style.
Shukla, who was born on 1 January 1937 in Rajnandgaon, was the first writer from Chhattisgarh to receive the Jnanpith Award earlier this year. His celebrated works include the novel Naukar Ki Kameez, which was adapted into a film by Mani Kaul, and Deewar Mein Ek Khidki Rehti Thi, for which he received the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1999.
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai has instructed the authorities concerned to ensure all necessary arrangements for the state funeral. He described the passing of Shukla as an irreparable loss to the cultural and literary identity of Chhattisgarh.
