Pioneer in short

Ex-CM BC Khanduri passes away at 91

Former Uttarakhand chief minister and senior BJP leader Bhuvan Chandra Khanduri (91) died at a private hospital here on Tuesday, following a prolonged illness. The veteran leader breathed his last at around 11 am, his daughter and Uttarakhand Assembly Speaker Ritu Khanduri Bhushan said. Khanduri is survived by his wife Aruna, son Manish, and daughter Ritu Khanduri Bhushan. The former chief minister was suffering from age-related ailments and underwent frequent hospitalisations recently. Before entering politics, Khanduri retired from the Indian Army as a major general. Popularly known as ‘General Sahab’, he earned a reputation as a disciplined and strict administrator. Khanduri served as the chief minister of the hill State twice.