Lucknow, August 31, 2025 – In a heartbreaking turn of events, Dr Shambhu Nath, a respected former chief secretary of Uttar Pradesh and a well-known Hindi writer, passed away while giving a speech at a book launch event. The 78-year-old collapsed right on stage, turning a joyful gathering into a scene of deep sorrow. This happened on Saturday evening at the Uttar Pradesh Hindi Sansthan auditorium, where he was the chief guest.
Dr Nath, born on March 2, 1947, in Chhapra, Bihar, came from a family with strong roots in public service and the arts. His father was a district magistrate, and his mother a poet. He earned degrees in English literature and a PhD in Hindi, blending his love for words with a long career in government. As a 1970-batch IAS officer, he rose to become UP’s chief secretary in 2007. After retiring, he led the UP Hindi Sansthan as its executive chairman until 2009, where he worked to spread Hindi language and culture worldwide. He renamed key spots after famous writers like Premchand and Nirala to honor their legacy.
Nath was also a talented author. His books, like “Dinkar Ka Rachna Sansar,” “Dhoop Chhaon,” and the poetry collection “Aakash Mere Aaine Mein,” explored deep themes in Hindi literature, poetry, and India’s freedom fight. Friends and colleagues remember him as a bridge between bureaucracy and the world of books – always kind, learned, and full of life.
The event was for the release of writer Manorama Srivastava’s novel about Karna from the Mahabharata. It started at 6 pm, with big names in literature and officials in the crowd. Dr Nath spoke with passion for about 20 minutes. He was sharing thoughts on time and fate, saying, “The day and time of death is fixed; no one can change it.” Suddenly, his voice weakened, his head dropped to the table, and he fell unconscious. His wife, Chanda Nath, a painter who had just gifted a Saraswati painting to the Sansthan, was sitting in the audience. People on stage, including poet Sarvesh Asthana, writer Buddhinath Mishra, and others, rushed to help.
They gave him CPR on the spot and took him to Civil Hospital nearby. Doctors tried everything, but he was declared dead on arrival. The news spread fast, leaving everyone stunned. What was meant to be a celebration of stories became a real-life reminder of how fragile life can be.
Tributes poured in from all sides. Amita Dubey, chief editor at Hindi Sansthan, called it “an irreparable loss,” saying Nath had guided so many young writers. Current acting chief secretary Deepak Kumar praised him as “always smiling, soft-spoken, and very learned.” Poet Sarvesh Awasthi shared his grief online, noting how Nath left in the middle of his own words. Veteran actor Anil Rastogi also posted about the shock, remembering Nath’s gentle nature.
Family friend and poet Subhash Chand Rasiya said the last rites would happen on Sunday, once Nath’s sons, Amitanshu and Gaurav, fly in from Bangalore. The family is holding up, but the loss hits hard – Nath was not just a leader but a mentor to many.
In UP’s bureaucratic and literary worlds, Dr Nath’s death leaves a big gap. He spent his life building bridges between admin work and creative arts, promoting Hindi on a global stage. As investigations wrap up, though it seems like a natural cause, maybe a heart issue. For now, Lucknow’s literary circle mourns a man who lived and died among the words he loved.
