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South Asian Literature Scholar, Dr. Kamal D. Verma, passes away
Condoling his death, PM Modi said that Dr. Verma "will always be remembered in his homeland."
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South Asian Literature Scholar, Dr. Kamal D. Verma, Passes Away / Supplied
The academic community mourns the loss of Dr. Kamal D. Verma, a distinguished professor and celebrated scholar of South Asian literature, who passed away in Washington, DC, due to natural causes. Dr. Verma, who would have celebrated his 92nd birthday in April, left behind a remarkable legacy in the field.
With a teaching career spanning 42 years at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown (UPJ) in Pennsylvania, Dr. Verma continued to serve as Professor Emeritus and an advisor to the University President after his retirement. His focus remained on diversifying faculty and student representation from South Asia. Notably, he co-founded the South Asian Review and the South Asian Literary Association, nationally recognized efforts dedicated to promoting Indian and South Asian writers and ideas.
UPJ President, Dr. Jem Spectar, paid tribute to Dr. Verma as "a brilliant scholar, an exceptional teacher and guide, a highly respected colleague, and a dear friend." Dr. Spectar highlighted Dr. Verma's impact on students, stating, "His classes prepared them for lifelong success."
Born in 1932 in Punjab, India, Dr. Verma was the first member of his extended family to attend college. He earned his educational qualifications in India before pursuing further studies in the United States and Canada, culminating in a Ph.D. from the University of Alberta at Edmonton.
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Dr. Verma's contributions extended beyond the classroom, with widely admired writings, including three published books / In 1971, Dr. Verma, along with his wife Savitri and their five children, settled in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, becoming the first Indian American family in the area. Notably, his son Richard went on to serve as the US Ambassador to India for President Obama and currently holds the position of Deputy Secretary of State.
Reflecting on his father's immigrant journey, Ambassador Richard Verma stated, "He left so much behind and took a big risk. He was brave. And he never let us forget our roots. What an amazing role model we had."
In a letter to Ambassador Verma, Prime Minister Modi praised Dr. Kamal Verma as "a true embodiment of the grit and determination demonstrated by every Indian immigrant." Modi acknowledged Dr. Verma's dedication to his family and roots, stating that he "will always be remembered in his homeland."
Dr. Verma's contributions extended beyond the classroom, with widely admired writings, including three published books. His second book, "The Indian Imagination," focused on leading writers of Indian colonial and post-colonial periods, while his last book, "Understanding Mulk Raj Anand," received critical acclaim for its exploration of ideas inspiring the colonial struggle for independence.
Professor Nalini Iyer of Seattle University, editor of the South Asian Review, praised Dr. Verma as "a towering figure" who paved the way for South Asian scholars and literature in the United States. His impact, she noted, extended globally, inspiring faculty members and leaving a lasting legacy in the field of South Asian literature and philosophy.
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