iit madras alumni
news 2005
Tushar Mehta graduated with a Bachelor of Engineering
degree from IIT Madras in 1968. His elective was
Metallurgical Engineering. He was also a
graduate in gemology from GIA, US.
Tushar was a trustee of Mehta Jewellery, a leading jeweller in Chennai. He was the president of the Gold Club of Chennai, the Honarary Consul for the Czech Republic in Chennai, a prominent Rotarian, and a past national president of the Indian Jaycees. He was also a well-known commentator on AIR and chennaionline.com.
He leaves behind his father Surendra Mehta, a pioneer in the diamond trade, his younger brother Abhay Mehta, uncle Naresh Mehta, wife Vaidehi and sons Tuhin and Rohan.
Source: chennaionline.com
On behalf of IIT Madras alumni, we offer our deep felt condolences to the family and friends of Tushar. Here are some messages posted by his classmates.
IITMAA & iitmadras.org team
This truly comes as a shock. I had just recently communicated to Tushar how eagerly I was looking forward to meeting him at his son's wedding in January. He is one of the few that I have had a chance to meet whenever I visit Chennai. He always found the time in his busy schedule to have a chat and a cup of tea.
My wife and I will miss a great friend and the world will miss a true gentleman. Our heartfelt condolences to his family.
Bala & Kiran
Balaji Chakravarthy (1968 BTME)
It is a real a shocker to hear of Tushaar's untimely passing. He was a distinguished gentleman who has left behind an indelible legacy on Chennai culture.
I had the pleasure of visiting him at Mehta Jewelers just a few years ago. May God bless his soul.
S Lakshmipathy (Pathy) (1968 BTME)
Oh man! I am shocked and saddened. Geetha and I had the occasion to meet Tushaar several times in recent years and we were always in awe about his youthful and cheerful demeanor. Last time I spoke to him in Chennai, he had called me to ask if I could recommend an NGO involved in Tsunami relief to a donor who had called him. Too bad I did not have the time this trip to see him personally!
Dalton and Kalyan and others in Chennai, please do convey our heartfelt condolences to the family.
Raju Rajagopal (1968 BTCH)
I simply cant believe this. We used to meet off and on in Madras or Bangalore esp during parties/friends' children's weddings. He was always cheerful and humorous. Wore his wealth and fame in Madras lightly with a self-deprecatory air. He always exuded well-being and contentment. Mysterious are the ways of God.
Please convey our deepest condolences to the bereaved family.
Suddu, Rathna, Vicky, Roopa, Arjun, Aiyana
Sudarsan P (1968 BTCH)
It was really shocking to hear about Tushaars passing away. He was a real good friend and one of those I would locate and meet while passing thru Chennai. It was just a few months back that me and my wife had dropped into his shop to pay him a visit. He was looking just as usual. A real shock to hear the news and that too just after Joes passing away. My hearfelt condolences to the family.
Mathew George (1968 BTMT)
The funeral of Tushaar Mehta, who passed away on the 27th Sept. 2005, took place on 28th Sept 05. The body which was kept in the family residence in McNichol's Road, Chetpet, left from there at about 7.45 am. I went there shortly before 7 am. There was a huge crowd at his residence, proof of his immense popularity, which was well known to all of us. As informed by his brother-in-law, Amit, whom I know for many years, Tushaar was feeling uncomfortable at about 12.30 pm. and was immediately rushed to the hospital. He could not be revived and died within half an hour, of cardiac arrest. He was known to be a strict disciplinarian who did everything on time and was a keen golfer, who never missed his golf. I was quite surprised that such a person can have a heart attack so early in life.
Tushaar and I were in Tapti House for 2 years, during which time I knew him quite well. His room was the den for a few of us on every wednesday at 8 pm, to hear the immensely popular Binaca Geetmala. In Chennai, for the last thirty years, we used to meet oftern in social functios and a few times on the golf course. Tushaar, as we all know, was an amiable person, always smiling and never offending anybody. In short, he was a gentleman to the core. We will all miss him.
Vasanth Manickam (1968 BTCH)
I am deeply grieved to hear the tragic news from Chennai. In the passing away of VJR Asirvatham and Tushaar Mehta, the Class of 1968 has lost two gems in quick succession. My sincere and heartfelt condolences to the respective families.
Murali Natarajan (1968 BTME)
I was traveling and was saddened to hear about Tushaar. Saddened because he represented like Joe, the typical IITian... low key, competent, pleasant and a gentleman. Saddened because he has left us in the journey of life. Saddened because his company in this journey would have continued to enrich us.
To the family, my heartfelt condolences.
Gautam (1968 BTME)