Dr. Abha Avasthi, renowned academician and former Head of the Sociology Department at Lucknow University, passed away on Thursday at the age of 85 after a prolonged illness. She had been on a ventilator at King George’s Medical University (KGMU) for the past two weeks. She is survived by her brother and sister.
A towering figure in Indian academia, Prof. Avasthi’s contributions spanned over decades—shaping not just institutions, but also generations of students, scholars, and teachers. She served as an Emeritus Professor under the University Grants Commission (UGC), a council member of the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), and a member of the UGC subject panel on sociology for two terms. She was also part of the executive council of CSJM Kanpur University. A prolific writer and a dedicated mentor, she authored numerous books and guided many doctoral dissertations that enriched the field of sociology.
Yet, beyond the lecture halls and academic corridors, there existed a gentler, lesser-known dimension to her life—that of a gifted doll maker. Her handcrafted dolls, intricate and lifelike, often left admirers spellbound. “They looked as though they would begin to speak,” said one close associate, reflecting the emotional soul she poured into her creations. Her passion for this delicate art was an extension of her empathy, creativity, and deep understanding of human emotion.
Her passing evoked heartfelt condolences from academic and political spheres alike. Academicians, researchers, and former students from across the country paid their respects. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed profound grief over her demise.
Former Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Dinesh Sharma, in a moving tribute, wrote: “Professor Abha Avasthi Ji was like an elder sister. Her demise is a personal loss for me. May her soul rest in peace and may God give strength to the bereaved family. Om Shanti Om.”
Professors—past and present—from the Sociology Department at Lucknow University joined family and well-wishers in paying their last respects at Baikunthdham, where her final rites were performed.
Dr. Abha Avasthi’s departure marks the end of an era. But her influence—like her dolls—will continue to speak, silently yet powerfully, in the hearts and minds of those she inspired.
