Padma Bhushan Dr SP Agarwal, a giant in the humanitarian field passes away

New Delhi: Indian Red Cross Society reported on Thursday with deep sadness the passing of the Secretary General, Padma Bhushan Dr Satya Paul Agarwal.

Dr Agarwal was a renowned neurosurgeon, academician and public health administrator. He had been the Secretary General of the Indian Red Cross Society since 2005 and was the Chair of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Advisory Body on Sustainable Development and Health. Past high offices include Director General of Health Services, Government of India from 1996 to 2005. Dr Agarwal was also the President of Tuberculosis Association of India.

As public health administrator, he played a pivotal role in the execution of various disaster relief operations and control of disease outbreaks/epidemics. Dr Agarwal was a prolific writer and has authored and edited several books.

In recognition of his dedicated service to the nation, Dr Agarwal had received the Life Time Achievement Award for TB 2005, the Dr. B.C. Roy National Award for “Eminent Medical Person” in 2002, and was conferred with a D.Sc., by Panjab University in 2007, as well as the Henry Dunant Medal – the highest honour bestowed by the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement for the work following the 2004 tsunami. Dr. Agarwal also received the Padma Bhushan Award, one of the country’s highest civilian awards, given for distinguished service of high order in January 2010.

Dr. Agarwal was one-of-a-kind visionary who made an indelible mark on the way Indian Red Cross carries out its humanitarian endeavours all over the country. He will always be remembered as a great leader who inspired and influenced many towards result based humanitarian work.

He is survived by his wife, Dr. Sarita Agarwal, Son, Dr. Tushar Agarwal and Daughter, Dr. Aashima Sharma.