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‘No Time to Fight Over River Waters, Let’s Save Rivers First™

By
Sanjeev Kochhar
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0

This is not the time to fight over sharing of river waters. It’s time to think what we can do together to save our rivers. Because if there is little, or no water, left in our rivers, what will be share. This was the message which Esha Foundation head Sadguru Jaggi Vasudev, who is spearheading a nationwide campaign “Rally for Rivers”, left for us to ponder at a event organised at Tagore Theatre here to drum up support for the cause of reviving our rivers. Punjab and Haryana, as well as UT Chandigarh said a resounding “Yes” to the Sadguru’s initiative. Officials of the Punjab Government and Esha Foundation also exchanged a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the cause on the occasion.

Accompanying Sadguru on the dais to strongly endorse the need for adopting a long term national policy on creating one km wide green belts along both sides of all rivers in the country, were governors of Punjab and Haryana, VP Singh Badnore and Kaptan Singh Solanki, Chief Minister of Haryana Manohar Lal and Member of Parliament from Chandigarh Kirron Kher. Though not on the dais, Preneet Kaur, wife of Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh, deputised for him in his absence.


Photo By: Life In Chandigarh

 Doing some plain speaking, Sadguru wondered whether we had a plan for the country, or are we convinced that we are going to be the last generation to exist on this planet. While conceding that after independence the country was in a survival mode and desperate measures were taken by governments then, which at that point of time they considered best for development and overall interests of the people, he asserted that subsequently to satisfy our greed, mother earth was plundered of its natural resources and in just over 50 years be brought it down on its knees.

Today the environment is no longer a talk confined to the bedrooms of the elite, it is the business of all our 1.3 billion population, he said, adding that we need to act, and act fast. He informed that for the first time parties from all sides of the political spectrum were agreed on one thing, that the revival of river waters was absolutely necessary for our very survival. He said it was heartening to note that during his 8300 kms rally across the country, starting September 3, 2017 from Coimbatore, as many as 12 states had assured their full support for the initiative and more were joining the bandwagon.
Sadguru appealed to the masses to continue to support the cause by making missed calls on 8000980009 so that the Union government, which was already positive towards the initiative, was empowered with the people’s overwhelming mandate to go ahead with framing a long term national policy on reviving river waters.
Emphasising on the enormity of the task ahead, he said several legislative, legal, administrative and other complexities would need to be overcome before the initiative gets off the ground. Even if the process of framing a long term national policy is completed in a year, it will take another 10-15 years to create the proposed green belts along the rivers and still 4-5 years more to see positive outcome of the efforts to start showing.
Dwelling on the issue of farmers’ suicides across the country, Sadguru said while it was true that increasing indebtedness and inability of farmers to repay their farm loans were causes for the members of the community to take the ultimate step, he said unless we are able to provide the farmers with rich soil and adequate water they cannot be extricated from the vicious cycle.
Asked for his views on the continuing construction of dams, Sadguru felt that the dams were perhaps relevant at the time these were planned and erected, but with rapid climate change there was a need to have a fresh look at their efficacy. But he was against the idea of dismantling the existing dams, which he felt would cause greater social tensions in regions benefitted by them.
Expressing his government’s unflinching support to the initiative, Haryana CM Manohar Lal informed the gathering that though there was not a single river which flowed exclusively through the state, his government was doing its utmost to keep the rivers clean by installing sewage treatment plants all along their courses. He also highlighted the concerted efforts being made by the state government to revive the legendry Saraswati river, which is believed to have flowed from the state into Rajasthan and Gujarat before entering the sea.
Governors Badnore and Solanki, while lauding Sadguru’s initiative and wishing it all success, said any policy decisions by the government need mass support and participation from the people to succeed.
MP Kirron Kher wore a green and blue saree combination (representing trees and water) to the function to demonstrate her support to the initiative.

Get Ready To Spoil Yourself At The Wardrobe Story™

By
Sanjeev Kochhar
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0

It will not be any ordinary lifestyle and fashion exhibition. The Wardrobe Story (TWS), a first of its kind exhibition in Chandigarh, being put together by an established makeup artist and fashion consultant and an experienced weddings and event organiser duo, promises the fashionistas and the would-be-brides, a most exhilarating experience while leisurely scouting for their fall-winter embellishments.

To make the browsing and shopping experience comfortable and carefree, Hotel Lalit, IT Park, which is partnering the duo, is laying out a lounge with a bar and a children’s play area to afford the visitors patience, time and energy to soak in the refreshing creations being brought to the venue by 50-plus labels, some A-listed and other promising and already popular. So, mark you diary on September 30 and October 1. The exhibition will be on from 11 am to 8 pm on both days.

PHOTOS BY: LIFE IN CHANDIGARH
Anshika Gulati, founder and curator of TWS, and Amitoj Sandhu, founder of Fashion Boulevard, while interacting with media persons, said there would also be live band performances along with food and drinks.

Promising that there would be something for everyone, trendy, peppy, quirky, and at the same time comfortably wearable, they said the price range would be anything between Rs 1500 to Rs 2 lakh, all value for money. Expanding on the range on offer, the organising duo said, from designer wear to everyday wear, from crepes to cottons, from formal to semi-formal, from Indo-weste to ethnic, from wedding wear to kids wear and home decor it would be both expansive and exhaustive.

Among the 50-plus labels would be Ritu Kumar, who are participating in any exhibition for the first time, Guneeta Ghai, Talash by Indra, Shilpi Gohri, Shilpa Goyal, Preeti Sidhu, Mithi Brar, Sanam Tamana, Neet, Savita Gupta jewellery designer, Vintage Touch footwears, Roxso, Jugni by Jyotika, Dressing Loft by Isha and The Peach Pit.

Sharing her idea behind TWS, Anshika Gulati said, “As Karwachauth, Diwali and the wedding season are approaching, we thought we will showcase before the fashionistas and the would-be-brides a never seen before festive collection of neo designers as well as established players.”

Amitoj Sandhu added, “The market is flooded with lots of new talent and now it’s time that we offer something new to fashion enthusiasts. Our designer list is quite fresh as we have brought young talent which has not exhibited at big platforms. We aim to give them exposure, and buyers an opportunity to look out for something new, quirky and full of creativity. Off course we will have few
A-listed designers as well who could be a source of inspiration for the nouveaus.”

Bhupinder Kala, the Chandigarh representative of Ritu Kumar, Babli Bedi, one of the participating promising fashion designers, and Imit Arora, General Manager of The Lalit, also interacted with the media.

On the occasion, Mrs India 2017 (1st Runner Up) Cheena Arora showcased a new designer dress from the stable of Ritu Kumar and a couple of other models showcased designer wear of Babli Bedi.

Start Up Opens Doors To Students, Corporates, Artists, Bloggers

By
Sanjeev Kochhar
-
0

Digital India is going places. If you are a small or big businessman, a corporate, an artist or a blogger and need to reach out to a wide and targeted audience, then you need to quickly go digital. Otherwise, chances are you will find it difficult to survive in this rapidly digitalising world. Digital Series, an ISO certified Digital marketing training centre in Chandigarh’s Sector 34, has opened its doors to such categories of people, offering them crash courses to manage their digital marketing themselves, instead of doling out thousands every month to outsource this work. The centre is also offering two-month professional certified course in digital marketing to students to take this up as a rewarding career. There are also courses in digital photography and content writing.

Says Digital Series founder Nitin Rai Chaudhary, “Today’s market is all about digital marketing. Traditional marketing is taking a back seat. From small setups to bigger corporate houses, all need to go digital. According to a recent Nat-geo US survey, 77% jobs will be based upon computers and digitization by 2020. If we don’t learn or teach digitization today, we’ll be left behind.”  He adds, “Digitization will improve employment and entrepreneurship opportunities.

Photo By: Life in Chandigarh

Interacting with media persons, Vipin Rai Chaudhary, co-founder and Google Adwords certified search engine optimization (SEO) expert and trainer with 8 years of up-work and SEO experience, said the centre will provide Learn and Earn Google Certification concept of digital marketing training. There will be certified digital marketing courses – one 18-days crash course and another
2-months digital marketing professional program.

In both the courses the student will be provided on job training. “Students will be guided by Google certified trainers. They will also be trained to write effective content. The course will cover hands-on projects, weekly assignments, research based internship, pre reading material and industry interaction sessions, the Digital Series founders informed.

The three-month digital photography course includes Skype calls with international artists, international certification and on job training.

After the completion of each course, the centre promises to assist each student in job placements, the founders claimed, adding that the probability of getting a decent job is 99 percent. The price tag on 18-day crash course in digital marketing is Rs 15,000 and on two-month professional program Rs 35,500.

To foster creativity, the team behind Digital Series has crafted a quirky learning environment quite different from regular class rooms. Wall arts, which embellish the centre, are aimed at encouraging a positive thought process.

News Editor KJ Singh Professional Par Excellence

By
Sanjeev Kochhar
-
0

KJ Sir and his mother have been murdered today in their Phase 3B2 Mohali residence, an ex-Tribune photo journalist colleague informed me at a book launch on Saturday evening. My first instinct was it could not be true. What ? I asked him as if expecting he might just say he was joking.

But that was wishful thinking. The tragedy had actually happened….a dastardly crime against one of the senior most desk journalists of the region, and a highly respected one at that. Though he had distanced himself from mainstream journalism for a few years now, after very rewarding innings at the Indian Express, The Times of India and finally The Tribune as news editor and chief news editor, he is still held in high esteem by the teams he worked with.

As I still lie in a state of disbelief, I wonder how someone could do this to him and his nonagenarian mother. Though we last communicated quite a few years ago, I cherish fond memories of us working together first in the Indian Express and then Times of India between 1994 and 2005.

As a news editor, the hands on person responsible for producing the newspaper in the shape and manner we read every day, he was a perfectionist. Highly self respecting and firm in his beliefs, I remember the circumstances in which he left The Times of India and The Tribune.

He was very aggressive in his approach towards news selection and wanted to beat the competition hollow the next day by attempting always to take developing big news to the last, even if it meant holding the edition till even 3 a.m.

One particular incident I fail to forget, despite my memory running short, is when a day after a weekly off I opened the morning newspapers to be flabbergasted to find that only one English newspaper, The Times of India, was carrying a banner headline to the effect that “The Hijacking That Was” and all the competitors howling that a hijacking had taken place at the Delhi airport.

Not knowing what to believe, and not wanting to disturb any of my colleagues in the morning, because they go home very late and sleep till late in the morning, I switched on the television to be informed with a sense of pride that it was indeed a mock drill ordered by the civil aviation minister…..The Times of India had come out with flying colours. That was the level of his professionalism. And he was a stickler for design, having a great design sense.

Such journalists are always hard to find … one in hundreds, maybe thousands. My parting salute to the Great Man !!!

On the orders of Chief Minister Capt. Amarinder Singh, state police chief Suresh Arora has formed a SIT, headed by IG (Crime), to get to the depth of the double murder in the heart of Mohali. We pray and hope that the culprits are caught soon and awarded the harshest of punishment for the heinous crime. We cannot bring them back, but this the bare minimum we can do for the departed souls. RIP

Life In The IAS: My Encounters With The Three Lals of Haryan™ Makes for Interesting Reading

By
Sanjeev Kochhar
-
0

It would surely make very interesting reading. A senior Haryana bureaucrat, retired since long, has poured into a book launched on Saturday his experiences while working at various times under the famous three Lals of the state.

Writer Ram Varma (left), Harish Khare, SD Bhambri and DS Dhesi with the book launched on Saturday at UT Guest House

Photo By: Life in Chandigarh

The book “Life In The IAS – My Encounters With The Three Lals of Haryana”, penned by former Haryana chief secretary Ram Varma, was formally dedicated to the people in Chandigarh by a galaxy of luminaries – former Haryana chief secretary S.D. Bhambri, editor-in-chief of The Tribune Harish Khare and Haryana chief secretary D.S. Dhesi – at a simple ceremony organised by the Swarna Jayanti Celebrations Authority, Haryana, at UT Guest House.

Packed with interesting anecdotes, tongue-in-cheek observations, behind-the-scenes political happenings and personal recollections, “Life in the IAS…..”, published by Rupa Publications India, captures the extraordinary journey of Haryana, its famous three Lals – Bansi Lal, Devi Lal and Bhajan Lal – and author Ram Varma, who takes the ups and downs of his distinguished career in his rollicking stride, experiencing thrills and triumphs, trials and tribulations.

On 1 November 1966, India saw the birth of its 17th state, Haryana, carved out of Punjab. Two years prior, Ram Varma had graduated from the prestigious IAS Academy and was allocated to Punjab. He was then transferred to Haryana, which was a state in turmoil and had within a year infamously been stamped as a land of political infidelity – ‘Aya Rams and Gaya Rams’.

Having served in various capacities from sub-divisional magistrate to chief secretary, Ram Varma relives the history of Haryana in the first three formative decades. An ambitious work, it covers the whole range of the state’s history – its inception, the chief ministers at the helm, the bureaucracy, the infrastructure reconstruction programme, including the innovative lift-irrigation projects and much more – as captured against the nation’s history which too was crafting a resurgent identity.

The book pivots its central narrative around the portrayal of the three Lals of Haryana – Bansi Lal, Devi Lal and Bhajan Lal – who dominated the scene. Barring a few years, Haryana was ruled by the Lals, who chased each other in and out of office. The author has watched this fledgling state grow during their respective reigns, had keenly observed the workings of each chief minister and was a witness to the fascinating drama of its transformation from a poor, resource-less state to a progressive, front-ranking state during his tenure.

100% Pure Maple Syrup From Canada Chases Olive Oil Craze

By
Sanjeev Kochhar
-
0

What started as the great Indian craze for Chinese food has now spread to Thai, Italian, French and what not. The burger and pizza invasion has the young generation hooked. Spanish and Italian olive oil, riding on the hype created over its health benefits, has become a fad with the hip crowd, and to a lesser extent Canola oil from Canada. Now comes 100% pure maple syrup from Canada, which is touted as a natural replacement for the good old common sugar, being shunned by the modern world as the “food villain of the century”.

Well known nutritionist and author Kavita Devgan and master chef from Chandigarh Kandla Nijhowne on Thursday gave a visual presentation of the health benefits and versatility of 100% pure maple syrup from Canada at an interactive session held on behalf of the Federation of Quebec Maple Syrup Producers, Canada at Hotel JW Marriott in Chandigarh.

PHOTOS BY: LIFE IN CHANDIGARH

Playing on the ill effects of common sugar in lifestyle diseases like diabetes, obesity and inflammation, the two experts claimed that 100% pure maple syrup from Canada is a healthier alternative to sugar and other artificial sweeteners as it is natural and pure and is an excellent source of anti oxidants and essential nutrients.

Dwelling on the nutritional value of the maple syrup, which is a natural product obtained by letting water content to evaporate from sap collected from the maple tree,   nutritionist Kavita said, “100% pure maple syrup from Canada is already known to us as a natural sweetener. The fact that it is an excellent source of manganese and riboflavin (B2), a good source of magnesium and multiple other nutrients like calcium, potassium, sodium, copper and zinc, makes it a healthier alternative to sugar. Pure maple syrup contains a significant amount of phytohormones of the abscisic acid (ABA) family, a molecule that is believed to help against the inset of insulin resistance. This could be good news for diabetics, and those looking to knock off some weight, as well as athletes.”

She said maple syrup is known as liquid gold in Canada, where nearly 78% of world’s maple syrup is produced, and 90 percent of this output comes from Quebec province alone, the remaining 10 percent being accounted for by Ontario, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia provinces. Pure maple syrup contains 65 types of antioxidants, nine of which are unique to maple syrup, offering health benefits similar to those of berries, tea, red wine, flax seed, other fruits and vegetables. 100% pure maple syrup from Canada is a nutritive gourmet product that can enhance the taste of the dish – be it beverage, appetizers, main course or desserts, she added.

Chef  Kandla demonstrated three recipes using the maple syrup – a salt preparation, a drink and a sweet dessert.

100% Pure Maple Syrup From Canada Chases Olive Oil Craze

By
Sanjeev Kochhar
-
0

What started as the great Indian craze for Chinese food has now spread to Thai, Italian, French and what not. The burger and pizza invasion has the young generation hooked. Spanish and Italian olive oil, riding on the hype created over its health benefits, has become a fad with the hip crowd, and to a lesser extent Canola oil from Canada. Now comes 100% pure maple syrup from Canada, which is touted as a natural replacement for the good old common sugar, being shunned by the modern world as the “food villain of the century”.

Well known nutritionist and author Kavita Devgan and master chef from Chandigarh Kandla Nijhowne on Thursday gave a visual presentation of the health benefits and versatility of 100% pure maple syrup from Canada at an interactive session held on behalf of the Federation of Quebec Maple Syrup Producers, Canada at Hotel JW Marriott in Chandigarh.

PHOTOS BY: LIFE IN CHANDIGARH

Playing on the ill effects of common sugar in lifestyle diseases like diabetes, obesity and inflammation, the two experts claimed that 100% pure maple syrup from Canada is a healthier alternative to sugar and other artificial sweeteners as it is natural and pure and is an excellent source of anti oxidants and essential nutrients.

Dwelling on the nutritional value of the maple syrup, which is a natural product obtained by letting water content to evaporate from sap collected from the maple tree,   nutritionist Kavita said, “100% pure maple syrup from Canada is already known to us as a natural sweetener. The fact that it is an excellent source of manganese and riboflavin (B2), a good source of magnesium and multiple other nutrients like calcium, potassium, sodium, copper and zinc, makes it a healthier alternative to sugar. Pure maple syrup contains a significant amount of phytohormones of the abscisic acid (ABA) family, a molecule that is believed to help against the inset of insulin resistance. This could be good news for diabetics, and those looking to knock off some weight, as well as athletes.”

She said maple syrup is known as liquid gold in Canada, where nearly 78% of world’s maple syrup is produced, and 90 percent of this output comes from Quebec province alone, the remaining 10 percent being accounted for by Ontario, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia provinces. Pure maple syrup contains 65 types of antioxidants, nine of which are unique to maple syrup, offering health benefits similar to those of berries, tea, red wine, flax seed, other fruits and vegetables. 100% pure maple syrup from Canada is a nutritive gourmet product that can enhance the taste of the dish – be it beverage, appetizers, main course or desserts, she added.

Chef  Kandla demonstrated three recipes using the maple syrup – a salt preparation, a drink and a sweet dessert.

Punjab Govt Thinks Private, Allows Pre-Primary Admissions In Govt Schools

By
Sanjeev Kochhar
-
0

As in many other states, management of government schools is among the weakest links in the Punjab government functioning, and yet it is ready to take on extra burden of students in these institutions of learning, riled by poor infrastructure, shortage of teachers and non-teaching staff and general mismanagement.

In what is being touted as a measure to strengthen the school system, the Punjab Cabinet on Wednesday gave its nod to a proposal, announced earlier by Chief Minister Capt. Amarinder Singh, of enrolling students for pre-primary classes from the next academic session.


Photo By: Life in Chandigarh

Following the cabinet approval, government schools will from this month itself start enrolling children over the age of three years in the pre-primary classes, which will become operational in the forthcoming academic session. Under the existing rules, government schools could admit children only above the age of six years.

An official press release said, “The move will help ensure holistic and integrated early childhood care and education, and also check the decline in enrolment of children in government schools.”

The release said the chief minister emphasised the need to improve the school curriculum in government schools with inclusion of adequate and accurate account of historical events and heroes to help connect the children to their roots. Local Bodies and Tourism Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu also pressed for inclusion of cultural topics in the course curriculum.

Quoting government figures, the release said, though Punjab’s child population in the age group of 6-10 years currently stood at 24.47 lacs, enrolment in government schools is a mere 9.6 lacs, with the number declining year on year. The state government attributes this decline to the fact that parents tend to send their wards at an early age i.e less than six years to schools whereas as per RTE Act and as per Government Policy, children below the age of 6 years are not admitted in government schools.

Estimating the child population in the age group of 4-6 years to be 5.33 lacs, the state government is of the view that by not admitting the children in the age group of 4-6 years, the learning levels of the students in government lag behind students of their age studying in private schools, which start admitting students much earlier.

In a welcome move, the Cabinet approved an amendment to the Punjab School Education Board Act, 1969, to abolish the post of Senior Vice Chairman. It also gave its nod to amend Section 6 (a) of the Act, thus stipulating that no person shall be appointed as Chairman or Vice Chairman unless he/she has served with the Central Government or State Government or both on a gazetted post for a period of not less than 15 years.
           
Further, the amended Section 15 (1) envisages that the Secretary of the Board shall be appointed by the state government and will be an officer from Indian Administrative Service (IAS)/Punjab Civil Services of Additional Secretary rank. The amendment in Section 17 1 (i) prescribes the syllabi and courses of studies in consultation with SCERT.

Global Tenders To Be Invited For World-Class Tech Varsity

The Punjab Cabinet also gave its go-ahead for inviting global tenders to establish a world-class Technology University at SAS Nagar (Mohali). The proposed university will focus on skill development in IT/IT enabled services, biotechnology and related biosciences, material sciences and nanotechnology.

Following the cabinet approval, proposals will now be invited from the open market from the open market by providing wide publicity. The applicants can either pay as per IT Policy-2013 or as per the proposal received from the Reimagining Higher Education Foundation. Based on the proposals received from the Foundation, an area of 50 acres earmarked for IT/ITES, etc can be allocated for setting up the university.
           
Criteria Amended For Plots In IT City

In another decision, the state cabinet also relaxed the eligibility criteria for allocation of plots in IT City, SAS Nagar for sizes varying between 3 and 25 acres to allow non-CMM-SEI Level 5 certification companies to set up business. Further, companies wishing to exit IT City have been allowed to surrender plots by deducting 10% of paid up amount.

Punjab Vigilance Bureau Steps In To Hasten Probe

By
Sanjeev Kochhar
-
0

The much hyped 200 feet wide approach road to the International Airport in Mohali, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in September 2015, has come a cropper in quick time pointing towards complicity of supervising government agencies with the contractor.

Following a string of recent accidents, some resulting in deaths and serious injuries to road users, on the massively pot-holed road, and severe criticism in the Media, the Punjab Vigilance Bureau appears to have finally decided to move swiftly to get to the depth of the muddle.

PHOTOS BY: LIFE IN CHANDIGARH

An initial inspection of a stretch of the road on Tuesday by teams from the Bureau,  accompanied by road construction engineers, has endorsed the obvious – prescribed standards and quality of materials were not followed in the construction of the road.

An official press release quoting a spokesperson of State Vigilance Bureau said “on the basis of complaints regarding non-worthiness of this recently constructed road, Vigilance Bureau Chief Director Mr BK Uppal, ADGP along with senior PWD and GMADA engineers, technical teams of VB and experts of Central Road Research Institute (CRRI) have inspected the road and excavated the road at two points with JCB machine and one with sampling machine.

“During this special inspection, it has been prima facie found that the road was not designed properly as per the actual soil (clay soil) and traffic conditions (heavy load trucks) at the site, and improper/sub-standard material was used which was not according to the prescribed specifications mentioned in the DPR as well as in the contract conditions.”

According to Uppal, GMADA had already received a sampling report from CRRI but experts from the national institute had been asked to collect more samples from the locations selected by the technical teams of VB, PWD (B&R) and GMADA and submit a report after thorough analysis for review by the Bureau. Based on the CRRI reports, further action would be initiated against guilty engineers and the contractor, he added.

Among others present at the inspection site were G. Nageswara Rao, Director Vigilance Bureau, Shive Kumar Verma, Inspector General of Police (Economic Offences Wing) and engineers from PWD, GMADA and CRRI.

Dr KS Chugh Laid To Rest

By
Sanjeev Kochhar
-
0

A large cross section of people, including the fraternity of Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER, PGI for short), academia, bureaucrats and others, attended the cremation of Dr K S Chugh, considered the father of nephrology in India, at the electric crematorium in Sector 25, Chandigarh on Monday. Dr Chugh, a world renowned nephrologist, passed away in the city on Sunday after a two-year tryst with a deadly disease.

His sons Sumeet Singh Chugh and Sumant Singh Chugh, both physicians settled in the US, were by his side when the last rites were performed.

PHOTOS BY: LIFE IN CHANDIGARH

Many among the gathering were heard recounting their memories of the highly professional, and at the same time a saintly person, that Dr Chugh was. An Emeritus Professor and former head, Dept of Nephrology, PGI, Dr Chugh is credited with being responsible for training a majority of the senior nephrology consultants and teachers in the country today.

Remembering Dr Chugh, Dr Priyadarshi Ranjan, Urologist & Chief Kidney Transplant Surgeon at Fortis Hospital, Mohali, says : “Dr Chugh had a great influence in shaping not only my career but of scores of other kidney transplant specialists across the country. He had been a thorough kidney physician, an avid teacher and more importantly an upright individual. Being the head of the PGI research academic community he streamlined the research thesis and other projects in PGI and stood up against fraudulent research, so as to maintain the highest standards of quality. His passion for his profession was unparalleled and we would remember him for his knowledge, wisdom and elevation of our country to the global level in nephrology. His contributions towards teaching, training and research in the field of nephrology are immense”.

Having taken up the speciality in 1956, when he performed the first renal biopsy, which ushered in the new era of modern nephrology in India and led to the recognition of this specialty as a distinct discipline, Dr. Chugh made a pioneering contribution to the development of nephrology in India. He passed MD (Medicine) with kidney diseases in 1961 and became the first qualified nephrologist of India. He set up the first Department of Nephrology in PGI, Chandigarh in 1963, initiated the dialysis program at the PGI in 1963 and renal transplant program in 1973. He started the first super-specialty course in Nephrology for the award of DM degree at the PGI, Chandigarh in 1969.

Apart from the Padma Shri award, Dr Chugh was awarded Fellowship of the Royal College of Physicians, London (FRCP, London), Honorary Fellowship of the American College of Physicians (Honorary FACP), D.Sc. (Honoris causa) Punjabi University (2010), D.Sc. (Honoris causa) GNDU, Amritsar (2013), D.Sc. (Honoris Cause), Dr NTR University, 2016.

He was conferred the title of National Emeritus Professor of Nephrology by the National Academy of Medical Sciences of India. Besides these, he was a recipient of B C Roy

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