M A I N   N E W S

HP varsity VC dead
Tribune News Service

Shimla, September 10
Dr S.K. Gupta, Vice-Chancellor, Himachal Pradesh University, died after sudden illness here today. He was 54.

Dr Gupta is survived by his wife and two sons. He felt uneasy in the morning and collapsed within no time. He was rushed Indira Gandhi Medical College hospital where the doctors declared him dead.

The post-mortem report has revealed that Dr Gupta died of heart attack. The cremation will take place tomorrow. A pall of gloom descended on the campus as the news of his death reached various teachers and employees organisation held meetings to condole his death.

An eminent historian and administrator Dr Gupta joined the university in 1972 as a lecturer in the History Department. He also held the position of Director, International Centre for Distant Education and Learning and the Tribal Studies Centre of the university. He became the Vice-Chancellor in February 1999.

He was associated with several academic institutions and bodies. He was a member of the governing body of the Indian Institute of Advanced Study and the Indian Council of Social Sciences and Research (ICSSR). He was also associated with several important committees of the ICSSR and various other academic bodies. He authored six books and had 36 research papers to his credit.

The Chief Minister, Mr P.K. Dhumal, visited the residence of Dr Gupta and expressed sympathies with the bereaved family. He said Dr Gupta was an outstanding academician and an able administrator. He lauded his contribution to the university as a professor and the Vice-Chancellor. He would be remembered for his dedication and zeal with which he discharged his responsibilities. The Governor, Dr Suraj Bhan, expressed shock over the sudden demise of Dr Gupta and conveyed his sympathies to the bereaved family.

The officers and employees held a condolence meeting on campus at which Dr Narinder Sharada, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, praised Dr Gupta.

Dr V.D. Kaushik and Dr Mohan Jharta, president and secretary of the Himachal Pradesh University Teachers Association, respectively, said Dr Gupta would be remembered for his dynamism. Dr J.B. Nadda, convener of the BJP teachers cell, the ABVP, the NSUI, the SFI and various other student bodies also condoled the death.

Mr J.P. Nadda, Health Minister, Mr Jaikrishan Sharma, BJP Chief Mr Suresh Chandel, MP, and several other BJP leaders also expressed sorrow over his demise.