Prof Amrit Tewari, former PGI Dean, passes away at 80

Chandigarh, January 14  

Padma Shri awardee Prof Amrit Tewari (80), a former Dean of the PGI, passed away last night following a cardiac arrest.

She is survived by her son, former Union Minister Manish Tewari, and daughter Puneet Tewari, who is settled in the US. Her husband Dr VN Tewari was assassinated in 1984. “She had recently undergone a surgery of the intestine,” said former councillor Chandermukhi Sharma.

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Born on September 5, 1938, Prof Tewari was awarded the Padma Shri in 1992 and BC Roy Award in 1993. She was Dean, PGI, from March 1997 to September 1998, when she retired. She also served as Head, Oral Health Sciences Centre, PGI. 

She was president of the Indian Dental Association  from 1984 to1985;  Syndicate member of Panjab University in 1986, 1988-1989 and 1991-1996; member of the governing body of the PGI  and of PU Senate. 

She was also on the WHO Expert Advisory Panel on Oral Health during 1986-1992 and then again till 1996. She drafted the National Oral Health Policy:1985 and conducted the National Epidemiological Study of Oral Diseases from 1985-1988.  She was a nominated councillor with the Chandigarh MC from 2011 to 2016.

“She was very loving and very tough,” recalled Justice Ajay Tewari of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, a nephew of the deceased. “Her children were young when her husband was assassinated. She brought them up with fortitude,” he added. Prof Amrit Tewari’s father Sardar Tirath Singh was a minister in the erstwhile PEPSU. Her brother Barjinder Singh was chairman of the Central Board of Direct Taxes while her sister Surinder Kaur retired as an IRS officer.

Dr Krishan Gauba, Head, Oral Health Sciences Centre, PGI, said: “I knew her for the last 40 years. She shaped many a life and career.” Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh has expressed grief over the demise. The cremation will take place at the Sector 25 crematorium at 1 pm tomorrow (Monday). — TNS