Prof. Kamal Verma, a renowned scholar of South Asian literature, passed away last week in Washington at the age of 91 / Supplied

In an emotional eulogy delivered for his late father, Prof. Kamal Verma, Rich Verma, reflected on the impactful journeys that made his father extraordinary.

Richard Verma, currently serving as the Deputy Secretary of State Management and Resources since March 2020, shared heartfelt memories at the service held recently.

Prof. Kamal Verma, a renowned scholar of South Asian literature, passed away last week in Washington at the age of 91. A distinguished figure, he spent 42 years teaching at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown (UPJ), Pennsylvania, and was instrumental in founding the South Asian Review and the South Asian Literary Association.

Rich Verma acknowledged his father's incredible journey, starting from a small village in Punjab to New York City in 1963 with only "US$14 and a bus ticket in my pocket." Prof. Verma's academic pursuits led him from the University of Northern Iowa to Saskatchewan and Alberta, finally settling in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, in 1971.

Reflecting on his father's dedication to knowledge and learning, Rich Verma noted, "His love of learning was only matched by his love of teaching – this particular journey was about giving back to others. And he made such a difference to so many."

“How does one honor nearly 92 years on this planet, and do it in my allotted six minutes, and cover everything I’ve been thinking and feeling over these past few days?” doubted Verma “at a sad, but inspirational service for my dad”.

Reflecting on Senior Verma's "pursuit of knowledge and learning, which persisted until his final day," Rich Verma recounted that his father's siblings were raised in a small village in Northern India.

“The thought that my dad would end up with multiple academic degrees, three published books, and thousands of students – that was never supposed to happen….but this young man was gifted by God a special talent — a curiosity, a passion for learning, a need to explore the nuances of both mathematics and English literature – how does someone excel in both subjects?” he said.

“He was always a few steps ahead of us….a deeper thinker….with a richer understanding of ideas and principles that mattered.  These are the lessons he tried to impart upon us, but we were not the best of students, I think,” he added.

“And these were the lessons he imparted upon his actual students in his classroom for decades, and they truly excelled.  His love of learning was only matched by his love of teaching – this particular journey was about giving back to others.  And he made such a difference to so many” Verma said.

“And, finally, there was the journey for justice and social inclusion, Yes, there was something that impacted him deeply about growing up in a colonized and caste-divided land, living through a difficult period of partition, and then of Indian independence.”

“It so shaped his writings, whom he studied, and what he advocated for,” said Verma noting, “Two of his books were exclusively focused on colonial and post-colonial ideas among South Asian writers and philosophers. He brought his own lived experience, as well as his deep intellect, to the effort.”

“When I look back on this person – my dad who lived in this small town and was from a village – I realize now, he had such stature, such standing, and such impact on the field of study and in driving for greater social inclusion and justice for the marginalized,” he said.

“I had no idea this very special person was living right there among all of us as our dad – only later in life did I fully appreciate this aspect of his journey,” said Verma.

“And, I should have seen it earlier, because it also manifested itself in him helping others, new immigrants, new students, new faculty – making them feel included, making sure they didn’t face unfairness or injustice,” he noted.

“And he did so with his signature low key, this isn’t about me approach – just reach a handout, and see if someone needed assistance, a calming word, a bit of guidance,” recalled Verma.  “That’s why anyone of South Asian descent traveling across or near our home in Pennsylvania ended up in our living room.  They were so welcomed and supported.”

“It’s why he was always so quick to remind all of us that indeed ‘we were all from the same place’ – whether a taxi driver in New York City or a Prime Minister – yes, it was about geography, but more importantly, he wanted to be sure we knew that we all hail from a place that requires the same degree of respect, dignity and equity,” said Verma.

The eulogy also highlighted Prof. Kamal Verma's commitment to justice and social inclusion, shaped by his experiences in a colonized and caste-divided land. Rich Verma praised his father's advocacy work and noted, "I realize now, he had such stature, such standing, and such impact on the field of study and in driving for greater social inclusion and justice for the marginalized."

Rich Verma expressed gratitude to his father for standing up for what was right and difficult, emphasizing, "This may have been his most important journey." Describing Prof. Kamal Verma as "a brave person, with a spine of steel," Rich Verma concluded, "The world will not be the same without my dear father, but it is a world that is a much better place because of him, and he’s given us every tool and every good memory to carry on the pathway he traveled."