Noted Writer Dr. Haridutt Bhatt Shailesh dead

Mussoorie, September 19

A pall of gloom descended on the town as the news of death of eminent literary figure Dr Haridutt Bhatt Shailesh reached here today.
Dr Bhatt, aged 85, was suffering from kidney problem and breathed his last at Jolly Grant Hospital near Rishikesh around 10.10 am, said his son Himanshu Bhatt.
Dr Bhatt was a well-known literary figure and resident of Mussoorie. Eminent Bollywood artiste Himani Shivpuri, his daughter, also arrived at his Dehradun residence where the body will be kept.
Eminent authors from the town Ruskin Bond, Ganesh Saili and Sudhir Thapliyal have also extended their condolence to the family and termed this as immense loss for Uttarakhand, especially Hindi literature.
Mussoorie Municipal Council President OP Uniyal, ward members and CPI leader RP Badoni expressing their grief said Mussoorie had lost not only a great writer, but an exceptional human being. They prayed for the departed soul and solace to the bereaved family.
Senior BJP leaders like Rajya Sabha MP Bhagat Singh Koshiyari, Ravinder Jugran, Roop Singh Kathait and Vijay Ramola also expressed grief and extended their condolence to the bereaved family. Dr Bhatt's several books on the Himalayan life and culture in Hindi had received accolades and he was also honoured with the Uttarakhand Bhasha Samman.
He also served at Doon School as a teacher and the late former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi was among his students in the school.
The caretaker of the house said the cremation will be held tomorrow.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister BC Khanduri in a message has mourned the death of Haridutt Shailesh.