Hugh and Colleen Gantzer

Long before travel blogs, Hugh and Colleen Gantzer were telling Indians about the wonders of their own country. Writing together under one byline, they are credited with pioneering travel writing in India. They were named jointly for the Padma Shri in 2025, in the field of literature and education, from Uttarakhand; the award is marked posthumous ^[1].

A naval officer and a curious traveller

Hugh Gantzer was born on 9 January 1931 in Patna and studied in Patna, Mussoorie, Nainital, Kolkata and Mumbai ^[2]. He joined the Indian Navy in 1953 and retired in 1973 as the first Judge Advocate of the Southern Naval Command ^[2].

After he left the Navy, he and his wife Colleen set out to discover India’s variety for themselves, convinced that Indians needed to explore their own country ^[2]. Hugh credited Colleen’s curiosity, courage and empathy, which made strangers open up to her, as the drive behind their travel writing ^[2].

Three thousand articles

Under the byline “Hugh & Colleen Gantzer”, they wrote more than 3,000 articles, columns and features and more than 30 books ^[2]. They also made some of the first travel documentaries shown across India on Doordarshan, Looking Beyond and Take a Break ^[2].

Their honours include the Government of India’s National Tourism Award in 2012 and its lifetime achievement award for tourism, and two gold awards from the Pacific Asia Travel Association ^[2].

Colleen Gantzer died in 2024. Hugh Gantzer died at his home in Mussoorie in February 2026, aged 94 ^[3].