Jnanpith Awardee Vinod Kumar Shukla Passes Away at 88

Renowned Hindi poet-author and 2024 Jnanpith Award winner Vinod Kumar Shukla passed away in Raipur on 23 December 2025 at the age of 88. The first writer from Chhattisgarh to receive India’s highest literary honour, Shukla was known for works like Naukar Ki Kameez and Deewar Mein Ek Khidki Rehti Thi. He died at AIIMS Raipur after prolonged illness. The state announced full honours at his last rites.