Veteran poet and lyricist Gopaldas Neeraj died on Thursday. The renowned poet was admitted at New Delhi, AIIMS hospital. He was diagnosed from a lung infection.

Gopaldas Neeraj was aged 93 years old was shifted to AIIMS on July 17, 2018, after his health started to decline, reveal initial reports. Renowned for his writings, he was honoured with the Padma Shri in 1991 and Padma Bhushan in 2007.

"Gopaldas was suffering from many old age-related ailments for the past few years and was shifted from Agra to the pulmonary department of AIIMS on Wednesday after he developed respiratory complications", informed a family member.

Shashank Prabhakar, son of Neeraj, told reporters in the national capital, "The body of the late poet would be first taken to Agra for people to pay their last respects and after that, it would be taken to Aligarh where the last rites would be performed."

Gopaldas Neeraj is popularly known for writing lyrics for songs such as 'Likhe Jo Khat Tujhe' from the film 'Kanyadaan'. It was sung by melodious Mohammed Rafi. His popular work also includes Shokhiyo Mein Ghola Jai from 'Prem Pujari', Bas Yahi Apradh Main Har Baar Karta Hoon from 'Pehchan', Ae Bhai Zara Dekh Ke Chalo from 'Mera Naam Joker' to name a few.

He was a professor by profession and even taught Hindi literature at Dharma Samaj College, Aligarh. Born in Etawah district of Uttar Pradesh on January 4, 1924, he motivated many with his soulful poems and lyrics. Many of his books and compositions won acclaim from people across the globe. We express our deepest of condolence for the legendary lyricist