Dr Pramod Vyas, 88, father of Rohit Vyas, TV Asia News Director, passed away at his residence in Los Angeles, California on Friday, March 29, 2019.
Dr Vyas was born in Uganda on May 8, 1930, and was an educator, writer and a well-known international public relations professional.
Dr Vyas was born to Prahladjibhai and Somiben Vyas, both educators from Gujarat, India. In his early years, he joined Seva Dal as a volunteer in response to Mahatma Gandhi’s call for Satyagraha, a movement for India’s independence.
After completing his masters from MS University in Vadodara, he came to New York City in the 1950s on a scholarship to Columbia University. He received a doctorate in International Relations from American University in Washington DC, where he also lectured. He went on to work on Capitol Hill during the Kennedy Administration with Congressman Emanuel Celler, who co-sponsored the Celler-Hart Act of 1965, playing a key role that opened doors for highly educated South Asians to emigrate to the US.
Dr Vyas was the author of “Dawning on the Capital: US Congress and India,” a study of the United States Congressional attitudes toward India.
His career as a well-known figure in the field of international public relations spanned almost 50 years, with companies such as Ciba Geigy, Union Carbide, Ogilvy and Mather, Hill and Knowlton, among others.
A ferocious intellect and sharp-witted provocateur, he will be most remembered for his formidable learning and biting wit while debating topics such as US and Indian politics and foreign policy.
He is survived by his wife, Shakuntala; son, Rohit and daughter-in-law, Isha Vyas; daughter, Rita and son-in-law, Paul Delaney; son, Rahul and daughter-in-law, Tanuja Vyas; grandchildren, Radhika and Aditi Vyas, and Bobby Delaney; and brother Dr Ashutosh Vyas.
TV Asia and its staff offer heartfelt sympathies on the loss of the departed soul.
The funeral is scheduled for Thursday, April 4, 2019, 2 to 4 pm at Memory Garden Memorial Park, 455 West Central Avenue, Brea, CA 92821. Ph: 714.529.3961; 732.319.0972; E: rohit@tvasiausa.com
