I just now read a message from Shrikant Bahulkar that Ashok Aklujkar passed away today. I knew from Vidyut Aklujkar that Ashok had a hip replacement surgery and he was in hospital taking somewhat longer time to recover. But I did not expect to hear this sad news. I also received a message from Vidyut just a minute ago. I knew Ashok from my highschool days in Pune. He was four-five years ahead of me. Later we became very close friends for a lifetime. A very big loss to the field of Sanskrit studies. May he rest in peace.