Ludhiana, December 18, 2023 (Yes Punjab News)
Dr Sewa Ram Verma, former Dean of the College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), and a stalwart in the field of agricultural engineering, passed away on December 12, 2023 in Ludhiana.
In a heartfelt condolences, Dr Satbir Singh Gosal, Vice-Chancellor, PAU, expressed: “Dr Verma was a highly decorated professional who had rendered unparalleled services in farm machinery and power engineering, ergonomics, and safety not only as a faculty member but also as the Dean of the College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology. He was also instrumental in developing a number of machines which earned him name and fame at the national and international level. Dr Verma was a great visionary and dedicated person who worked for the cause of upliftment of Agricultural Engineering profession.”
A condolence meeting was held at Jacob Hall on December 14, 2023 where a number of retired faculty members, serving faculty of the College and students expressed deep grief over the sad demise of Dr Verma, and paid rich tributes and prayed for the peace to the departed soul.
Dr Manjeet Singh, Dean, College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, said that Dr Verma was indeed a legendary figure in agricultural engineering who served at various positions in PAU, worked on international assignments, received numerous prestigious awards and elected as Fellow of various societies. Dr Verma served as Head, Department of Farm Power and Machinery (1976-79); Dean, College of Agricultural Engineering (1979-87); and PAU Librarian (1997-99). He also served as a Short-Term Consultant at ILO International Training Centre, Turin, Italy in 1983, 84 and 86; and as a Chief Technical Advisor, Commonwealth, Nigeria from 1987-90, he told.
Dr Mahesh Narang, Head, Department of Farm Machinery and Power Engineering, informed that Dr Verma had received numerous prestigious awards throughout his career – ISAE Commendation Medal (1971); Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Award (1976-77); Jawaharlal Nehru Award (1977); NRDC Invention Award, (1977 & 1982); ISAE Gold Medal (1990-91); Punjab State Council of Science and Technology Appreciation Certificate (1992-93); Institution of Engineers, Karnataka Citation (1996); Cooperating Editor (India), International Farm Mechanization Journal – AMA, Japan, (1984); and Punjab Government “Award of Honor” for Outstanding Contribution in Agriculture Development, Agriculture Summit (2014).
Dr Verma was elected as Fellow, National Academy of Agricultural Sciences in 1998. He was also Fellow of Indian Society of Agricultural Engineers; Institution of Engineers, India and Bureau of Indian Standards, said Dr Narang.
Dr Verma also served as Member, Board of Management, Dr Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Samastipur (2004-06); and Member, Board of Management, Mahatma Gandhi Chitrakoot Gramoday Vishwavidyalaya, Chitrakoot, Madhya Pradesh (2005-2011). He was a recipient of ISAE Mason Vaugh Agricultural Engineering Pioneer Award in 2019, informed Dr Narang.
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