India, Dec. 23 -- Eminent Hindi writer and Jnanpith laureate Vinod Kumar Shukla passed away on Tuesday evening due to age-related ailments at a government hospital in Raipur, his family said. He was 89.

Shukla was admitted to All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Raipur, on December 2 after experiencing breathing difficulties. He breathed his last at 4.48 pm, his family said. He is survived by his wife, son and a daughter.

His son Shashwat Shukla said he was first hospitalised in October after developing respiratory problems. Though his condition improved and he was discharged, his health deteriorated suddenly earlier this month, necessitating his admission to AIIMS Raipur.

Shukla had a towering yet gentle presence in Hindi literatu...