Former Delhi University acting VC dead

Prof. Vidya Prakash Dutt, former acting Vice Chancellor of the Delhi University and the country’s first known Sinologist passed away after a brief illness this morning

Prof. Vidya Prakash Dutt, former acting Vice Chancellor of the Delhi University and the country’s first known Sinologist passed away after a brief illness this morning. He was 85. He is survived by his daughter Anuradha and son Suhail, both prominent lawyers.

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Prof. Dutt was nominated to the Rajya Sabha in 1976 and was the founder of the National Forum of Teachers (NFT).
He was also instrumental in setting up the department of Chinese and Japanese Studies in the Delhi University.

A distinguished academic, Prof. Dutt, during his long career, was associated with the Peking University and also did some research work at the Harvard university.

His wife, late Prof. Gargi Dutt had passed away last year. Prof. Dutt authored many books and wrote in well-known international journals on varied topics.

He was cremated at the Lodhi Road crematorium this morning.

A large number of well wishers, friends and students attended the funeral. Prominent among those who were present at the funeral were the Union Home Minister, P. Chidambaram and Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit.