Joshi's death condoled

New Delhi, Mar 30 (UNI) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh led the nation in condoling the death of noted Hindi writer Manohar Shyam Joshi today.

''I was deeply saddened to learn of the passsing away of Shri Manohar Shyam Joshi. He was undoubtedly one of the most influential writers and commentators in Hindi in recent time,'' Dr Singh said in his condolence message.

''His literary work earned him the Sahitya Akademi Award. His popular writing had a wide appeal and his audience increased exponentially when Doordarshan telecast ''Buniyaad'', a touching depiction of the trauma of partition. As a child of partition, I was personally deeply moved by Joshiji's script for Hum Log,'' the prime minister added.

Mr Joshi was also a highly respected journalist and a true professional. His death would be mourned widely across the country by the admirers of his literary and journalist works, Dr Singh said.

''I convey my sincere condolences to his family, friends and admirers,'' the Prime Minister said.

According to reports from Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mulayam Singh Yadav has condoled the death of the eminent Hindi litterateur.

In his message, the Chief Minister observed that Mr Joshi enriched the Hindi literature with his valuable contribution.

''His death has dealt a severe blow to Hindu literature and saddened his readers and well wishers,'' Mr Yadav added.

Reports from Bhopal say that Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister expressed profound grief over the demise of Mr Joshi.

In his condolence message, Mr Chouhan said, ''Mr Joshi underlined the discrepancies of contemporary Indian society and pointed out its formative virtues.'' Besides, he sensitively expressed the need for an integrated society, an official release said here today.

The Chief Minister said Mr Joshi would be remembered as television serial writer and a thinking journalist, the release added.

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