Padma Shri awardee Hugh Gantzer given state funeral with full honours

By Sunil Sonker Mussoorie, 4 Feb: The death of renowned travel writer, environmentalist, and Padma Shri awardee Hugh Gantzer has sent a wave of grief through the literary, tourism, and environmental circles in Mussoorie, across the country and abroad. He breathed his last at the age of 94 at his residence, Oak Brook, on Kincraig Library Road. On Wednesday, Hugh Gantzer’s son, Peter Gantzer, performed the last rites at the cemetery on Camel’s Back Road in Mussoorie with state honours and military dignity. The large crowd that gathered for the funeral procession bore witness to the fact that Mussoorie had lost an integral part of itself.Officers from the National Hydrographic Office (Indian Navy) specially travelled from Dehradun to Mussoorie to pay their last respects to Hugh Gantzer, a former Commander in the Indian Navy. Four wreaths were laid on behalf of the Navy, symbolising respect for his service to the nation. A wreath was laid on behalf of the Chief of Naval Staff, another on behalf of the Chief Hydrographer of India, and a third on behalf of the Joint Chief Hydrographer. These three wreaths were from currently serving senior naval officers. In addition, a fourth wreath was laid by retired naval officers from the Navy Foundation, Dehradun Chapter, which was placed as a tribute by Captain (Indian Navy) Vivek Bahuguna. Commander Urvish Kukreja from the National Hydrographic Office was also present.
On behalf of the Mussoorie Police, CO Mussoorie Manoj Saswal and Kotwal Devendra Chauhan, and on behalf of the administration, Naib Tehsildar Upendra Singh Rana, offered wreaths and paid their respects. A guard of honour was given by police and naval officers, which made the funeral ceremony extremely dignified.
Everyone unanimously agreed that Hugh Gantzer’s passing has left an irreplaceable void in Mussoorie. After serving in the Indian Navy for nearly 20 years, Hugh Gantzer made Mussoorie his permanent home and, along with his wife Colleen Gantzer, took travel journalism to new heights. Over five decades, the couple brought India’s heritage and culture to the global stage through more than 30 books, thousands of articles, and 52 documentaries broadcast on Doordarshan. Their role in environmental conservation was also historic. They spearheaded a movement against limestone mining in Mussoorie by writing to then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, which resulted in a complete ban on mining in the area. He also served as a member of the Supreme Court’s monitoring committee and remained a staunch advocate for the balanced development of Mussoorie throughout his life.Senior writer Ganesh Saili described it as an irreparable loss for Mussoorie and India, while Ruskin Bond’s inspiration was cited as a turning point in Hugh Gantzer’s writing. Hugh Gantzer and his wife Colleen Gantzer, who passed away in November 2024, were awarded the Padma Shri on Republic Day this year. This historic couple now lives on only in memories.
For the local people, Hugh Gantzer was not just a writer, but like family – the festive sweets, the warm relationships, and his love for the city will always keep him memorable. Today, Mussoorie has lost not just a writer, but an important part of its identity. Renowned author, historian, and literary figure Ganesh Saili of Mussoorie, while remembering Hugh Gantzer, said, “This is an irreparable loss for both Mussoorie and India. Hugh is no longer with us, but his thoughts, writings, and struggles will always live on.” Saili mentioned that it was the famous author Ruskin Bond who inspired him to take up serious writing, after which he began writing with speed and passion.Hugh Gantzer’s wife, Colleen Gantzer, passed away on 6 November, 2024. On Republic Day, the Government of India honoured this historic couple with the Padma Shri award for their contributions to the field of travel journalism. Now, this couple has become a part of cherished memories forever.
Deep condolences have been expressed by all political parties, social organisations, literary figures, and citizens on the passing of Hugh Gantzer. Mussoorie has lost not just an author today, but a part of its soul.Municipal Chairperson Meera Saklani, former MLA Jot Singh, senior advocate Manoj Shaili, and BJP President Rajat Agarwal, Satish Shrma, Editor, my uttarakhand news, also paid tribute to him, saying that Mussoorie feels incomplete without him, and this loss is irreplaceable.According to local residents, Hugh Gantzer was not just an author, but like a family member. Sending gifts on Diwali and Christmas, his special love for sweets, and his participation in people’s joys and sorrows made him special. Present on this occasion were senior journalist Anjali Nauriyal, BJP Mandal President Rajat Agarwal, Yashoda Sharma, Sushant Vohra, Jagpal Gusain, and a large number of local citizens, literary figures, social workers, and environmentalists.