Padmashree Giriraj Kishore, Hindi Litterateur And Author Of 'Pahla Girmitia', Dies At 83 In Kanpur

Writer Giriraj Kishore, the author of many notable literary works including the novel 'Pahla Girmitia', died at his residence on Sunday morning. Giriraj Kishore, a resident of Muzaffarnagar, had settled in Kanpur and lived in Shoetarganj area. He was 83. He was a well known name in Hindi literature as novelist, storyteller, playwright, and critic.

Giriraj Kishore was most famous for his novel 'Pahla Girmitia' which was based on Mahatma Gandhi's stay in Africa. He was awarded the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1992 for his novel Dhai Ghar.

Giriraj Kishore was awarded the Padma Shri in the year 2007. He was given the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1992, the Vyas Samman in 2000, and an honorary PhD by Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University in 2002. He has worked at different posts as an officer in the government, including as registrar of Kanpur University (Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University) and the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur in a career spanning more than 30 years. He was formerly a member of the Sahitya Akademi working committee, and the Railway Board of GOI.