Renowned Hindi Poet Vinod Kumar Shukla Dies at 88

Renowned Hindi poet and author Vinod Kumar Shukla, recipient of the prestigious Jnanpith Award, passed away in Raipur on Tuesday, December 23, 2025. He was 88 and had been undergoing medical treatment at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Raipur, since early December. His death marks the end of an era in contemporary Hindi literature.

Prolonged Illness and Medical Condition

According to AIIMS officials, Shukla breathed his last at 4:58 p.m. Hospital spokesperson Dr. Laxmikant Choudhary confirmed that multiple organ infection leading to organ failure was the cause of death. Medical bulletins issued earlier had revealed that the writer was battling severe respiratory complications, including interstitial lung disease, along with pneumonia complicated by pleural effusion and systemic infection. He also suffered from multiple co-morbidities such as type-2 diabetes and hypertension, and was being treated for oral candidiasis during his hospitalization.

Prime Minister and Leaders Pay Tribute

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over the demise of the literary icon. In a message shared on social media, he described Shukla as a towering figure in Hindi literature whose contributions would be remembered for generations. The Prime Minister also recalled speaking with Shukla about his health during a recent visit to Chhattisgarh.

Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, Vishnu Deo Sai, called Shukla’s passing a profound loss to the State and the nation. He highlighted how the author’s works elevated the dignity of everyday life and described him as the enduring pride of Chhattisgarh. Former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel also mourned the loss and urged the State government to observe mourning, calling the writer’s death a collective sorrow for society.

Literary Journey and Enduring Legacy

Born in 1937 in Rajnandgaon, Chhattisgarh, Vinod Kumar Shukla began his literary journey with the publication of his first poetry collection, Lagbhag Jaihind, in 1971. Over the decades, he emerged as one of the most distinctive voices in Hindi literature. His poetry collections, including Kavita Se Lambi Kavita, and novels such as Deewar Mein Ek Khidki Rehti Thi and Naukar Ki Kameez, earned critical acclaim for their simplicity, sensitivity, and profound portrayal of ordinary lives. Naukar Ki Kameez was later adapted into a feature film, further extending his reach beyond literature.

Shukla received numerous honors during his lifetime, including the Sahitya Akademi Award. In 2024, he was conferred the Jnanpith Award, becoming the first writer from Chhattisgarh to receive India’s highest literary honor.

State Honours and Final Farewell

Later in the evening, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai announced that Vinod Kumar Shukla would be laid to rest with full State honours, recognizing his immense contribution to literature and culture. As readers, writers, and admirers across the country mourn his passing, his words and works continue to live on, inspiring future generations.

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Sorit Chaudhary

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